Equestrians saddle-up for barrel race in Badplaas

Equestrians from near and far are galloping to Badplaas Forever Resorts Arena to compete in the National Barrel Horse Association’s (NBHA) Double Qualifier Barrel Race Event on 29 May.

These qualifiers are in preparation for the South African Championship at the end of the year. Proceedings will begin at 9am where riders will have two runs to put up their best times.

After this qualifier, there will be a fun Coca Cola-race. Riders are up against the clock and have to make their way around a barrel with cold drinks placed on it, grab a cold drink and then sprint back to the starting point.

Ms Charlene Oosthuizen, managing director of NBHA South Africa, said they aim to make the event as fun as possible for equestrians, horses and onlookers alike.

“We have therefore also scheduled a pole-bending event after the Coca Cola-race, which is a timed event that features a horse and one mounted rider, running a weaving or serpentine path around six poles arranged in a line.”

The horses then get ample time to take a breather before the second qualifier – which will be a night race, begins.

According to Ms Oosthuizen, these night barrel races get the riders’ adrenaline pumping and is conducive for peak performance from the horses as the temperatures are much cooler.

Members of the NBHA will earn points as they participate and must collect enough points to be eligible to qualify for the South African Championship Barrel Race.

Participation equals points and additional points are earned according to the riders’ results on the given day.

You do not have to be a member of the NBHA to participate in these events, and if you like it, you still have seven days after the event to join and still earn your points.

“We love kids and new riders, they do not have to be professionals, we like to help beginners and just want them to enjoy it.”

Read the complete article on the back page of this week’s Highvelder Newspaper.