What is the Sherri Cervi West Coast Youth Championships?

The Sherry Cervi Youth Championship is a yearly event Barrel Racing competition that fosters young barrel racing enthusiasts.

Two classes exist for children, ages 12 and under and 13-17.
Prize money in the amount of $3,000 is rewarded in barrel racing’s 4D format.  It is dispersed evenly between the classes. Eight Sherri Cervi Crown C saddles are given to the D winners.

Sherri Cervi

Strict guidelines run this competition. Good Sportsmanship is mandatory and no abuse towards animals or the people at the event is tolerated. The contestants are even made responsible for the behavior of any attendees that have traveled with them to the event, including family members. Anyone caught being abusive is disqualified immediately and their entrance fees are not refunded.

This contest is a scholarship fund that supports young barrel racers who want to continue their education and compete at a college level, and RevitaVet will be giving away one free machine to a winner in this exciting contest.

To be considered for the event each contestant must:

•       Be entered in all 3 days of the competition
•     Submit a written essay
•       Submit a letter with three references including a school faculty member
•       Provide a report card

Scholarship money is paid to the school and each recipient is acknowledged by being announced on the Diamond Bar Arena website and the West Coast Barrel Racing website.

For information call 209/538-7680

How to Keep Your Barrel Racing Horse Calm Going to the Gate

Many barrel racing horses get highly agitated as they approach the gate into the arena. This type of agitated behavior can also be seen on many racehorses. They are anticipating the fun and excitement, the “high” of running the pattern and racing home to the finish line. However, this agitation can become a dangerous propensity for rearing and after a time the horse may become so difficult that the horse and rider must be led into the arena. Not only is this behavior hazardous and unsafe, it is also difficult to sell a horse that acts in such an unruly manner.

It is important to stop this type of behavior long before it gets started. Here are some ideas that you might consider doing with your young barrel prospect.

1.    Use the arena to work your horse in other stimulating exercises that keep him mentally and physically engaged. Don’t always just go to the arena just to run barrels.

2.    Change up your barrel racing practice by just walking into the arena, trotting or loping around it, and then going on a trail ride one or two days a week.

3.    If you are already having problems, walk your horse in circles by the entrance of the arena. Be sure to ride in a relaxed manner. Ride so that you continue circling closer and closer to the gate. If you need to ride with two hands to keep your horse more relaxed, then do so. Once the horse is relaxed, walk quietly into the ring. Be sure to stay grounded and quiet yourself as you do this so that your horse does not react to tension in your body. Once inside the arena, stand the horse in front of the barrels. Repeat this as many times as is necessary until your horse stands calmly. Then simply leave the arena. Repeat these steps until the horse can go through the gate and be in front of the barrels without getting upset and agitated. Only after the horse has learned to stay cool and collected should you begin running your pattern again. Remember, running the barrels is the reward for your horse. They become addicted to it; therefore, changing their routine and doing other things with your equine friend is a great way to keep him or her mentally and physically grounded.

4.    Using the a RevitaVet pad over the poll area for 10 minutes on # 7 about an hour before showing, will generally calm a horse down dramatically, and in most cases, will remove the nervousness.  This method is applied currently for Event horses, Dressage, Barrel Racing horses, and in Thoroughbred racing.  Also a self contained PollCap works very well.  See the link attached or go to the pollcap page on the RevitaVet website:  http://revitavet.com/Pages/PollCap.html  

Choosing a Barrel Racing Horse

They always make it look so easy while they blaze from barrel to barrel circling like lightning and exploding towards home.  What looks easy usually isn’t.  Barrel racing champions can spend years looking for a horse with explosive athleticism, good substantial bone and excellent conformation.  A calm mind is a must as well.

It’s true, whoever runs the pattern the fastest wins, however, choosing a good barrel racing horse must be determined by the level of experience of the rider.  Older horses with a strong barrel racing foundation should be chosen for riders new to this game.  Often horses in their teens and twenties are still running strong, so a beginner should not avoid them because of their age.

More experienced riders can afford the luxury of “making” their own barrel racing horse by purchasing a prospect.  This way, they can train the horse and create the habits and specific ways of running and turning etc. that they prefer.

Quarter horses dominate the sport; however, any breed can be entered into most rodeo organizations.  Many top barrel racers choose to cross speed bred horses, such as racing Quarter Horses or Thoroughbreds with cow bred horses.   This combination gives them the speed and the lightning fast turns that are going to make a winner.  Other riders prefer smaller more maneuverable horses, and thus they stay within the cow horse lines.  Keep in mind, there is not a good or bad choice for bloodlines when it comes to a barrel racing prospect.  Some popular barrel racing lines are:  Dash for Cash, Firewater Flit, On the Money Red, Easy Jet, and Frenchman’s Guy, just to name a few.

Everyone will agree that conformation is the most important aspect of choosing a barrel racing horse.  Many people prefer a horse with a lower center of gravity, so that they are steadier on their feet; however, many champions have been 16 hands tall or sometimes even taller.  A short back, good shoulder and hip angles, a powerful hindquarter and good straight legs that can take a lot of concussion are important.  A good manageable temperament is also important, along with a desire to win attitude that fires up only when it is asked.  This kind of temperament can be challenging to find, as many horses will lose their heads, and become increasingly difficult to handle, outside of the arena as well as inside of it, once they get a taste for speed.

So carefully assess your riding level and then shop around for the perfect fit.  Over time, each person determines their own unique likes and dislikes.  Being comfortable and feeling safe on a large mass of muscle that is moving at lightning speed is the most important, so choose wisely, and most of all have fun!