Winter Indoor Barrel Racing Kicks Off At Exhibition Grounds

The action could be hair raising as competitors pushed hard as barrel racing once again returned indoors to the Golden Mile Arena at the Moose Jaw Exhibition on Saturday.

Participants came from both Saskatchewan and Manitoba - a participant from Wainright, Alberta had to scratch as freezing rain made highways treacherous - in what organizers are hoping will become a monthly event during the winter.

The total number of horses entered was 46 which co-organizer Kara Drake as an average but good turnout for a first event. The numbers are expected to grow in January when the event will move into a monthly event once Christmas and New Year’s events and parties are over.

A rider and horse push hard towards the finish line - MJ Independent photo

“It all went really good,” Drake said about the second barrel racing event she has helped create with Nicole Hicks. Both Drake and Hicks area resident with a major passion for the sport.

Tight turn around a barrel - MJ Independent photo

“Lots of people don’t have their horses in running shape over the last couple of months,” she said going on to explain after a busy season of event and travelling horses and riders take a couple of months off to rest up.

“Once January rolls around they will be looking to get back in shape for the busy season.”

Off to the next barrel =- MJ Independent photo

A horse and rider wait their turn to enter the event arena - MJ independent photo

Drake said once January hits riders will be eager to get back into shape and the monthly events in Moose Jaw as well as the facilities are ideal to help attract participants.

“There are not many places you can warm up in a heated indoor practice ring. It is a huge bonus for holding events here (in Moose Jaw),” Drake said, adding “in other places you warm up outside in icy ground.”

A rider talks to her horse just prior to heading out on their run - MJ Independent photo

“We should see more people out in January once Christmas is over.”

At the present time the pair do not know exactly when the next event will happen in January as they still need to book the facilities with the Moose Jaw Exhibition.

It is a little known fact that the Moose Jaw Exhibition has the largest equine facility in the province.

A smaller competitor on a full sized horse - MJ Independent photo

The winners of the Youth Event’s First Division were:

First Place - Myra Roysum riding Oakies Delight with a time of 15.065 seconds-
Second Place - Kollins Drake riding Nellie with a time of 15,119 seconds
Third Place - Mackenzie Shauf riding Zoomer with a time of 15.144 seconds

The majority of riders are female but barrel racing is open to everyone - MJ Independent photo

The winners of the Futurity Division One (horses five years of age and under) were:

First Place - Mackenzie Shauf riding Miss Sonita Zoom with a time of 15.296 seconds
Second Place - Kara Drake riding Brisby with a tme of 15.459 seconds

Off to barrel number two - MJ Independent photo

The winners of the OPEN COMPETITION First Division were:

First Place - Tracy Ozirney riding Gala with a time of 14.882 seconds
Second Place - Mackenzie Shauf riding Gem with a time of 14.981 seconds
Third Place - Tressa Mastad riding Diesel O’Lena with a time of 14.999 seconds