Horse-Mania

Interview questions:

 

1. What kind of experience do you have with barrel racing? Did you ever see a barrel race or compete in a barrel race explain your experience, what was it like? Answer: I've never competed myself...only with my friends with horses for fun.  BUT...I did go to a lot of horse shows when I was a teenager.  Watched a lot of barrel racing then.  Back then they used to come from all over the maritimes and Maine USA to compete.  It was very fast and exciting!  Then the horses entered the ring they would prance on their toes because they knew what was coming!  It was great fun to watch!

2. What do you think of barrel racing? Is it a good sport for horses or a not so good sport for horses? What would make it bad or good? Answer:I like it.  I personally think it takes a lot of skill and training "behind the scenes" that people don't see.  All they see is the end result they are watching...which takes only about 15-22 sec to run the course.  It would only be unsafe if a person did not condition their horse for it.  As it takes a lot of conditioned muscles to makes those tight turns etc.  The main thing is to have the right equipment for the horse i.e. Leg protection.  As in the proper leg wraps and hind ankle boots for the sliding stops at the end.  Other than that.  They only real danger would be if you were competing outside and the ground was wet around a barrel from raining etc.  A horse that could make a nice sharp turn is actually leaning quite far to one side and could wipe out.  But that would be up to a wise rider to pull their horse from competition if that happened.

3. Do you believe the connection with your horse matters when barrel racing? Do you believe that a rider and horse with a connection is a better team then a rider and horse who don’t? What is the difference in your opinion? Answer: Absolutely!!  It does with anything to do with horses.  But particularly with competition!  And that comes actually from spending time with them doing other stuff besides just trying.  Even grooming, relaxing trail riding.  Etc Getting to know you horses personality and his / fears.  It builds trust.  And when it comes down to something as quick as barrel racing...connection is key to "reading" your horse.  Will always get a better score with your own horse you have a connection with, then jumping onto a strange horse and trying it.

4. Do think it is possible for a child to hold a world record for the fastest timed barrel race? How could a child win? Or what makes impossible? Answer: Yes!  Some kids start very young.  Especially if their parents are horse back riders.  And better yet...if their parents were former barrel racers.  There is a young lady down in the USA who's mom used to barrel race.  So the girl started riding young.  She got an older horse that used to barrel race that everyone thought was retired.  The two paired up and are now pro champions.  Competing in $1 million competitions and WINNING!  She is only 9 years old!!!  They practice practice practice.  And some seem to have talent they are born with. Watch the video ->

5. What made you interested in barrel racing your horse? Answer: Honestly...he was a Quarter Horse.  They are the best at it.  He was fast and could take a corner on a dime!  It seems to be a talent for him.  And it was fun challenging and beating my friends!

6. You said you said you barrel raced your horse for fun, did you train him or was he trained?  If so what do think is important when training a horse to barrel race? Answer: No...I trained him.  That's a biggy.  But there are a few basics to follow.  Start slow...train them at the pattern at a walk, then trot, then lope...then go for speed.  Wait till they get the pattern firmly in their mind, and Know what's being asked of them, then ask for speed...so they don't get confused, scared or frustrated.  Also..very important.  Do some flex exercise training.  Like serpentines etc to get them flexible at bending.  Also...take breaks.  Don't train all day kind of thing.  Train for a bit...then rest.  Give them a day off thru the week.  and at least one day for a trail ride...to keep their mind stress free.

7. You said most of what you learned was from books? Was that how you learned to barrel race or how to train? How long did it take? Would it be easier to have learned from an instructor do you think? Answer: Yes...mostly from books...we didn't have the internet then.  Man if I did that would be awesome!  I did take some "weekend clinics" from time to time with an instructor.  But mostly on my own.  Barrel Racing is pretty simple and I seemed to have a knack for picking it up easy.  Although...having an instructor would be nice for guidance, as an extra set of eyes, to see where you could improve etc.  They can always help.  But I couldn't afford lessons on a regular basis and a horse to.  So I chose the horse and a part time job to pay for him instead.  So I got creative and read books.And asked around other horse people for advice to!

8. Do you think if a horse’s mother or father barrel raced would influence their skills in barrel racing? How would it or not impact them? Answer: I would think it would.  Especially if they were good at it.  It is partly training that makes a horse good...but also "conformation"...or how they are built in their bodies.  Some horses like Quarter Horses or Paints etc make great Barrel Racers because of their built and natural ability to take sharp turns and get up to top speed in a hurry.  And some horses are built to jump better.  All horses can do just about anything.  But some are just better built or suited to a particular discipline of riding or competition.  So yes ...parents and breed type...does seem to affect alot.  But sometimes...it has no impact...and once in a blue moon...you get a lemon from a great one.  Heehee.

9. What do you think the most important part of barrel racing is, what makes it so important? Answer: The turns!  A horse can waste precious seconds if they can't take a nice sharp, rounded turn.  Some go way out, which takes to long.  And some try to cut in too close, and can't round their bodies around the barrel...so they "cut it off" so to speak and hit it with their shoulder or hip.  If you knock a barrel over...it adds 5 seconds to your overall score!  Which in that sport is pretty much a death sentence to winning!

10. What was the biggest thing you learned from your small experience with barrel racing? Answer: Team work and practice is KEY!  It thrilling to watch because it happens so fast.  And even more fun to do it!  Horses get right into it...getting really excited and rearing to go.  They seem to enjoy it to...And it a lot of work for 15-20 seconds of thrill...but oh so worth it.  Its a rush!!