By Billie McNamara
You have decided you want to start barrel racing, you are having problems, or just need some help keeping your objectives straight and being motivated. All of this can be straightened out with goal setting. When you set goals you have to take in the level your horse is able to compete at and the level you are able to compete at. Maybe you want to just do local shows to start out with. Or you have been doing local shows and decide you want to maybe do a National Barrel Horse Association show or another larger association show. You are going to have to take extra steps that you maybe didn’t have to before to compete at a higher level.

Smaller Shows
If you decide you only want to compete in smaller shows, like saddle clubs, you still need to have goals in mind. You need to think about what events you want to enter, and if you horse can handle it. Small shows have several events. Do you know how much your horse can handle? One event or five? Set a goal for what events you want to compete in, and keep it. Make sure your horse is physically able to compete in these events, you don’t want him to get injured.

The benefit of smaller shows are the entry fees are less, you can get exposure for your horse without having to pay a lot of money, and you get better practice in. Some of the saddle clubs can be very competitive as well, so you get an idea of what a serious competition can be like. After you have some confidence with your ability to barrel race, maybe you want to try a bigger show.

Bigger Shows
Competing in say, the NBHA, involves more money for one thing. Entry fees for saddle clubs are usually only a few dollars, where NBHA entry fees can be around $25 a race. But the bonus is that it is usually a payout race, and with the new 4D format, everyone has a chance to win. So you need to decide if you are willing to put in the extra entry fees, and if your horse is ready to compete at this level.

Bigger shows are usually just that, bigger. There are usually more horses, more riders and more competition. You will be running against some of the best riders and horse combinations in your state. This can be a big emotional change for you and physical change for your horse. At small shows, you may be competing in several different events were at larger shows, it may just be barrels and poles.

In NBHA shows, there are three divisions. Youth, for ages 18 years and under, Open for any age, and Senior for ages 50 and over. You have the opportunity to compete twice, in either the Youth or Senior and then also Open. More chance for winning, but more money for entry fees.

Here are things you need to take into perspective if you think you are ready to move up a level:

* Are you prepared for the cost? – Entry Fees, More Mileage hauling to shows all around the state or region

* Are you prepared for the time to compete at this level? – There are usually several shows in a month, the shows are usually long, lasting most of the day

* Your horse will have to be more physically and mentally fit to compete here, can he handle it? – You and your horse will be waiting around a lot because of the number of competitors, he will be racing in different arenas with different footing

* This is different competition then you are used to, do you feel mentally strong enough to move up? – Maybe you were the top rider in your local club, but you didn’t rank as high at the larger show as you did in the smaller one. Don’t let it get you down if you don’t do as well the first time you go out. It will take time to get into a steady rhythm. If you have a good relationship with your horse, he will take care of you. Also, there are most riders you are competing against now

* Set appropriate goals
If you want to just try a bigger show, try just go to a few and keep going to the saddle clubs you have been going to. Don’t push your horse are yourself too far to fast. Be realistic about your abilities and your horses. The horses health, age, breed, training and mental state all revolve around your decision.

If you are having problems at home, or are feeling discouraged, reevaluate why you started barrel racing in the first place. It is supposed to be fun! You need to get back into the fun part of it. Go to the local shows and do some of the fun events. Reset your goals of what and when you want to accomplish with your horse. Maybe he is a new one you have started because your other horse is getting a little older. Maybe your new horse just isn’t catching on as fast and you feel a little let down. You were so used to your other horse, and this new one takes a lot of concentration and work. Set a day when you want to take this horse to a show, and work from there. Even if it is a year away, you will have that goal in your head.