First Congress Update!

With the first day down at the All American Quarter Horse Congress for Ohio and Pennsylvania cowgirls and cowboys, the first barrel proved to be as elusive as always and the ground as slick as usual for this show.
The sweepstakes was difficult to watch at points when great horses and riders like Kelly Pitts and Stevie Young went down in painful fashion turning barrels. Still others struggled to turn the first barrel at all, as the monster run from the alleyway to the first made it tougher than most other pens.
Brett Monroe won the barrel race, and special congrats to West Sunbury, Pennsylvania's 13-year-old Shana Simmons for placing 3rd!

Part Three with BillieAnn Sexton - In the Arena

With more experience in the rodeo pen than women twice her age, BillieAnn Sexton has figured out how to win in some of the toughest setups the IPRA has to offer. She has run everywhere from Marietta, Ga., to St. Tite, Quebec, and she has done a lot more than just barrel race. The cowgirl knows her way around the roping pen and can catch a calf in breakaway as well. 

In the Rodeo Pen

What type of alleyway/entrance do you prefer?

I like a narrow alley way that is centered with the third barrel but any alley way were the third barrel is in sight for line up is fine.

What are you thinking running towards the first barrel?

I try to keep my mind clear and feel what I need to do at the moment, make a good run.

What are you thinking running home?

It kinda depends on the run I feel like I made. Good run I am thinking those good, sweet thoughts. Run with a few mistakes, I am anxious to hear my time. If I hit barrel I am thinking about what I should had done differently. 

How do you approach a barrel (e.g. big pocket, straight, etc.)?

I learned to make my "spot" about 4 feet over to the side of the barrel, enough room to where my horse can shape and snap back around the barrel quickly. 

What do you worry about most while rodeoing (e.g. the ground, the weather, the arena size, the competition, etc. etc.?)

I try not to worry about that to much. I do have a few barrel horses so some do better in different arena conditions then others. If I know the size of the pattern and whether its hard or deep ground I will pick and choose the horse to take.

What type of shoes do you have on your rodeo horses?

Sassy, Dora, and Barracuda I have rims on the front and regular on the back. I put the rims on them for traction. Brownie I have 2 degree wedges on his front because he does not grow much heel.

What type of ground do you prefer?

Depends on the horse, this year I have mainly taken Sassy and Barracuda, Sassy loves hard trashy ground and Barracuda works the best in deep ground.

What size of pen do you prefer?

The pen size doesn't matter to me either it will just pick the horse I want to run at that rodeo. 

Do you like to run in slack or the performance, and why?

Performance, I like the crowd, the loud music, bright lights, just the whole excitement in the atmosphere. 

Why did you decide to run the IPRA?

Its a wonderful association and its a great place to season myself before I turn 18 and start Pro rodeoing.

Why do you run rodeos instead of barrel races?

I use to go to a lot of big super shows and also rodeos, but I now mainly go to rodeos because I like traveling from rodeo to rodeo instead of being at one place all week. The rodeo's are a lot more exciting, but I do also enjoy going to barrel races.

What type of horse do you think makes the best rodeo horse?

A rodeo horse has to be very seasoned and can handle all types of ground. Rodeo ground is not always good. I like horses that are bred run and cow so they have the mind, but also have enough run to win.

What is your favorite IPRA rodeo?

St. Tite, Quebec, Canada.

What is your horse's cue to turn a barrel (i.e. lift, leg pressure, check, etc.)?

When I get to my "spot" I sit down grab for the saddle horse with outside hand, lift my horse with inside rein and bump with inside leg witch picks there rib cage up and shapes them.

What is your most common mistake?

Wanting to sit down and go for saddle horn before my "spot." Instead of drive, drive, drive all the way to my spot then sit down, lift, and shape.

Weekend Review - Henderson's Arena - Jackson, Ohio

The final weekend of summer drew in huge crowds and top horses at Henderson's Arena in Jackson, Ohio. With exhibition only on Friday night, by 6 p.m. Friday the parking lots were full and electric hook-ups were scarce. When all was said and done, though, Ohioans Kelly Pitts and Brad Shirey took home the wins in the 1D on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. 

What: NBHA OH District 05 Money Maker.

Who: Hundreds and hundreds of barrel racers from Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky. The Open had over 350 horses on Saturday night. 

Added Money: $2000 each night in the Open 3D.

The Ground: As usual, the ground at Henderson's was soft and deep, generally in a good way. Some people came out of the pen complaining the ground was too deep, but most thought it was fine. The tractor drivers did a good, quick job working the arena, helping the huge show to move along. After every 100 horses they ran a big drag that kept the ground holding. The ground was not particularly fast, though, as 15.5s and 15.6s have won at Henderson's before, and usually a few more horses get into the 15s than just the three or four that did this weekend. 

Overall: This was a top-of-the-line show. Many of the best horses in the area showed up to run here. The barns were packed, and the parking lots were crammed. With well over 100 in the Youth each day, too, the show was a huge success and really drew in the talent. 

Although the committee only held exhibition Friday night, if you needed to do some tuning the barrels were set up in Henderson's outdoor arena, where the ground was soft and the pattern isn't much different from inside the arena. 

Aside from just the ground, the competition and the added money, the hospitality at Henderson's Arena could not be better. The food stand offers a wide array of delicious Southeast Ohio's best home-cooked meals and desserts at reasonable prices. Even more, Henderson's Western Wear and Tack Shop had some great sales and always has the latest in western fashion that's hard to find anywhere else on the East Coast. 

Results: Kelly Pitts on Tin Zan Man won Saturday night with a 15.964, and Brad Shirey took home all the money Sunday with a smoking 15.838. 

Vote in the Poll! What's the best indoor in PA or OH?

Barrel racers in Pennsylvania and Ohio bounce back and forth across state lines each weekend, and everyone probably has their own favorite arena. This poll is about show arenas - do you prefer the shorter runs at Simmons Equestrian Center or the mammoth run to the first barrel at Diamond 7? Do you like to short alleyway at Henderson's Arena or the long one at Hilltop? I don't have enough space in my poll to fit all of the arenas I want to offer, but I have put in as many as possible.

Overholt - In the Arena - Part 3 of 5

A true competitor, Overholt talks about her adaptability to different arenas and ground in the rodeo pen.

In the Arena
What type of ground do you prefer to run on?
Prefer good footing and to be at top of drag but I take whatever it is and make the best of it.

Do your horses have any preference of ground or do you pick horses that can take anything?
Casey the horse I run the most will run on just about any type of ground, but it has taken a lot of hauling and running in different pens to get her that way.

Do you like big or small pens?
I like medium sized ones the best but it doesn’t really matter I just try to adapt to the situation.

What is going through your head when you’re running to the first?
Oh no don’t hit it...

What are you thinking running home?
To push as hard as I can and don’t stop till I’m at the gate. Way to often I see horses shut down before the timer line.

How do you approach a barrel (i.e. with a wide pocket, straight at it, etc)?
Fairly straight with little pocket.

Do you run with spurs, a hand whip, or nothing?
Usually with spurs and a whip. It depends on the horse. I have one horse that hates whips and if I carry one he tries to run off and loses his head even if I don’t use the whip.

What is your horse’s cue to turn a barrel (i.e. lift, leg pressure, etc.)?
My horse Casey rates barrels really good so I just have to drive her all the way. Most other horses I just sit back a little and barely touch the inside rein.


What is your favorite bit for a finished horse?
O-ring, jr working cow horse or a half wonder bit.

Michele Dibert - Inside the Arena - Part 3

In the Arena

What type of ground do you prefer to run on?
Deep

Do your horses have any preference of ground or do you pick horses that can take anything?
My horse likes it deep!

Do you like big or small pens?
The horses I ride are big so I prefer big pens so they can stretch out.

Where is your favorite arena and why?
I have a couple favorites. Diamond 7 Arena is on the top of my list. The ground is always super there and the facility is nice. The stalls and arena is under one roof. They also have a nice warm up pen and hook-ups are a plus! I love going to Murfreesboro, TN to the Tennessee Miller Coliseum. For an out door pen I like Clyde Saddle Club, another big pen, and the ground is always good.

What arena have you had the most success in?
Diamond 7 Arena & Tennessee Miller Coliseum

What is going through your head when you’re running to the first?
You will laugh at this one, I always tell people I don’t remember my first, I usually have my eyes closed.

What are you thinking running home?
Go all the way to shut that clock off!

How do you approach a barrel (i.e. with a wide pocket, straight at it, etc)?
I have been taught to go pretty straight to the first.

Do you run with spurs, a hand whip, or nothing?
I use bumper spurs and I have an over & under that I may use from time to time.

What is your horse’s cue to turn a barrel (i.e. lift, leg pressure, etc.)?
I have gotten myself into trouble a lot this year by bumping my horse to soon to clue him so I’m trying to stay up and out of my sit and dropping my hands till I get by the barrel.

What is your favorite bit for a finished horse?
I’m using a Jim Warner gag right now that I really like!

Weekend Review - NBHA @ Hilltop Arena, Byesville, Ohio

With no big shows within hundreds of miles in each direction, the Ohio NBHA District 05 Money Maker at Hilltop Arena in Byesville, Ohio, drew in top barrel racers from Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. This Weekend Review will cover a ground review as well as some information on how the show ran. Results will be posted as soon as possible, but since the show ran until about 4 a.m., I didn't stay to get the results that night!


What: NBHA Ohio District 05 Money Maker

Fees: $3 grounds fee per horse, $10 non-member fee, $20 Warm-Up Barrels, $25 Open Barrels

Added Money: $525 in the Warm-Up, $400 in Youth, $1000 in Open


The Ground: It seemed to present a few challenges for a lot of horses. The grounds crew put a huge amount of effort into keeping it nice, with big drags after about every 100 horses or so. The third barrel was slippery for many horses as ruts quickly developed on its back side after just a few runs. The ground was mildly deep, and it seemed that horses with more slide did really well in it.

Overall: The good horses at this barrel race threw down! With too many great runs to watch, Hilltop Arena was home to some of the best runs I have seen this summer. With the best horses clocking in the low 15s, almost anything faster than an 16.5 looked great. If you hit into the 15s, you definitely were in great company! I'd say District 05 certainly made their money this weekend. For a one day show, this was just huge and had some of the toughest horses in the Northeast. The trailers went on forever and many people were left to park in the driveway and block others in. The weather was great, though, and the hospitality was tops!