Setting Goals for Better Barrel Racing

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.