Equine
A Growing Industry
By Krista Lucas
Barrel racing is becoming increasingly popular in Texas and Oklahoma. There is an event to go to nearly every day of the week in this region, and there is something to choose from whether a rider is a beginner or a serious competitor.
Some events stretch over the course of several days, offering large amounts of prize money and awards, while other local jackpots may just be an afternoon of family friendly fun.
Either way, barrel races are seeing an increase in entries. A local jackpot may see more than 50 runners on a week night or weekend, even when there are other races going on in the same area. Recently, the Summer Shootout in Oklahoma City., drew 781 contestants over its three day event. The barrel race, hosted at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds, awarded $10,000 added money plus four fully-tooled championship saddles.
The sanctioning body was Better Barrel Races, and the event offered an open race where entries ran in two qualifying rounds, with the top 15 in each division making it back to the short-go Sunday.
This year alone, the Summer Shootout paid out $124,838 in cash. In the shootout round, the fastest time run that day in each division was declared the winner. Sharin Hall of Harrah, Okla., won over $2,000 and a trophy saddle, walking away with the 1D shootout championship. The futurity trainer ran a 15.1 in the final round on her standout mount “Dreaming Of Foose.”Loryn Barclay, riding “Last American Perks,” ran a 15.5 to win the 2D shootout. Linda McConnell on “Brooklyn Bridge Cash” ran a 15.7, winning the 3D championship and Ceri McCaffery improved her time to a 15.9 on “Famous Sum Beach” to win the 4D shootout.
To read more pick up a copy of the October 2017 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
By Krista Lucas Wynn
Each year, when the professional rodeo season wraps on Sept. 30, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association announce the Nutrena Horse of the Year, presented by the American Quarter Horse Association, in each event. This is a prestigious award, voted on by the members of the associations. To be named Horse of the Year by fellow competitors is a high honor only a few achieve.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Krista Lucas Wynn | Copy Editor
The name, “Daddy of ’em All,” instantly brings to mind the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and western celebration. Cowboys and cowgirls from all across the country dream of competing on the iconic Cheyenne arena dirt.
Every July, pro rodeo contestants travel to Cheyenne, Wyom. to vie for the title of champion of the Cheyenne Frontier Days. The rodeo is steeped in western tradition and celebrated the 125th year this summer. With nearly two weeks of rodeo action, fans watched bareback riding, calf roping, breakaway roping, saddle bronc riding, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, bull riding, and steer roping.
Steer roper, Tuff Hardman, knew winning “the Dad” was a tall order, but with a good horse and a few prayers he left no doubt who the best steer roper at Cheyenne was when it was all said and done. After two rounds, Hardman qualified back for the finals tied for ninth place with a time of 30.8 seconds.
To read more, pick up a copy of the September issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
Utilizing the horse to human connection.
By: Hannah Claxton | Editor
Deep in the heart of Texas, both humans and horses at Stable Strides Farm in Pilot Point, Texas aer demonstrating just how big their hearts really are. Founded by Mandy Cleveland in 2001, Stable Strides Farm serves dozens of Equestrians with Disabilities and Veterans each week.
Deep in the heart of Texas, both humans and horses at Stable Strides Farm in Pilot Point, Texas aer demonstrating just how big their hearts really are. Founded by Mandy Cleveland in 2001, Stable Strides Farm serves dozens of Equestrians with Disabilities and Veterans each week.
“My boys have been riding since they were 18 months old, and for the first 17 years they had a leader and sidewalker. When we moved here, and Mandy started teaching them, she just said, ‘Let’s see what they can do,’ and they ride independently now,” Danielle Frank explained, whose two sons, Adison and Aiden, ride with Stable Strides Farm. “Mandy is amazing beucase she doesn’t place any limits on them, she always wants to see what they can do.”
It is her dedication to never setting limits that earned Cleveland a spot as a national finalist for the NSBA 2024 Dianne Eppers Cowgirls Reaching-Out-to-Community Award. The award was established by the NSBA Foundation to recognize cowgirls across the industry for their selfless contributions to the equestrian community.
To read more, pick up a copy of the September issue of the NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
(Photos Courtesy of Hannah Claxton)
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