Barrel Racing Tomorrow And Following That Monthly

If you are a fan of barrel racing then Saturday is going to be a highlight day for you as indoor barrel racing returns to Moose Jaw.

Commencing with practice runs from 11 am until 12:30 pm and followed by the actual runs from 1 pm until about 2:30 pm the barrel racers return indoors at Golden Mile Arena located on the Moose Jaw Exhibition Grounds (250 Thatcher Drive East).

But if you happen to miss tomorrow’s event the good news is local organizers and volunteers are planning to turn it into a monthly indoor event over the Winter.

Indoor barrel racing from earlier this year - MJ Independent file photo

“We have a heated facility and a heated warm up pen so we are very fortunate so why not use it,” co-organizer Kara Drake said about tomorrow’s event and then running the barrels on a monthly basis.

Event co-organizer Kara Drake said tomorrow’s event will feature approximately 40 horses in youth, open and futurity (horses five years of age and under) in runs.

The feature tomorrow will be a futurity jackpot with event organizers seeding the pot with $500.

Drake said although the first event will be smaller it will get larger because at the present time many people have turned their horses temporarily out to more open spaces but as Winter progresses horses are moved indoors and looking to compete.

Tomorrow’s event will feature riders not only from Saskatchewan but one rider is coming from Manitoba to compete.

The event and the upcoming monthly races to follow are mini-jackpots for local hotels, restaurants and other retailers including gas stations as many of the competitors arrive the night before and stay overnight, she said.

It is something George Fowler, general manager at the Moose Jaw Exhibition agrees with because with Winter here competitors do not stay in trailers like they do in the Summer and it means more hotel rooms occupied in a traditionally non-busy time of year.

The event is FREE and spectators are welcome to attend. But all spectators must adhere to the applicable indoor mask mandates. Additionally this is an event where the proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID - 19 test are NOT required under the Province’s mandates.

In addition it is a little known fact the Moose Jaw Exhibition has the largest horse facilities in the province which helps land equine events.