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boon
Posts: 2
| Hey guys,
So I've been riding and competing Hunter/Jumpers from about the time I could walk and showing intensely on the "A" circuit. I'm a very accomplished rider but unfortunately now that I'm out of college I do not have the financial means to continue showjumping. However I've decided to start barrel racing because I'm super competitive and I just HAVE to ride and compete horseback somehow. So naturally the western world is completely new to me and a hell of a lot different then what I'm used to. I have a lot of questions and not many people I can turn to for help because all of my friends compete hunter/jumper. Any advice or answers to my questions would be greatly appreciated thanks for taking the time to read.
So my questions are as follows.
1. What are the major associations and which ones would you need to join to compete? (in hunter/jumper shows for rated competitions we had to belong to USEF for our points to count. wondering if its the same for barrel racing)
2. What are good barrel saddle brands?
3. How does sizing for barrel saddles go? all of my jumping saddles are a 16 or 16 1/2 but barrel saddles seem to run smaller? someone PLEASE explain
4. What is the meaning of rate?
5. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE explain the whole 1d 2d 3d thing and how pay outs go
6. When looking to buy a barrel horse what should I be looking for? I'm very knowledgeable about show jumper conformation and what makes a good show jumper or just a conformationally sound horse in general I'm referring more so to what to look for during a run
7. Push style vs. free runner? whats that even mean?
any other advice or tidbits of information are greatly welcomed, thanks again yall :) | |
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 Worst.Housekeeper.EVER.
   
Location: Missouri | freeportbarrelracer - 2015-05-21 10:59 PM Hey guys, So I've been riding and competing Hunter/Jumpers from about the time I could walk and showing intensely on the "A" circuit. I'm a very accomplished rider but unfortunately now that I'm out of college I do not have the financial means to continue showjumping. However I've decided to start barrel racing because I'm super competitive and I just HAVE to ride and compete horseback somehow. So naturally the western world is completely new to me and a hell of a lot different then what I'm used to. I have a lot of questions and not many people I can turn to for help because all of my friends compete hunter/jumper. Any advice or answers to my questions would be greatly appreciated thanks for taking the time to read. So my questions are as follows. 1. What are the major associations and which ones would you need to join to compete? (in hunter/jumper shows for rated competitions we had to belong to USEF for our points to count. wondering if its the same for barrel racing) 2. What are good barrel saddle brands? 3. How does sizing for barrel saddles go? all of my jumping saddles are a 16 or 16 1/2 but barrel saddles seem to run smaller? someone PLEASE explain 4. What is the meaning of rate? 5. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE explain the whole 1d 2d 3d thing and how pay outs go 6. When looking to buy a barrel horse what should I be looking for? I'm very knowledgeable about show jumper conformation and what makes a good show jumper or just a conformationally sound horse in general I'm referring more so to what to look for during a run 7. Push style vs. free runner? whats that even mean? any other advice or tidbits of information are greatly welcomed, thanks again yall :)
Welcome to the dark side!!! 
I took h/j lessons for a long time, although never had the finances to compete. I loved it!!! You will find, in general, that your seat is much more forward than most barrel racers. So, sit down. lol! Actually, I still post forward, but have had to really concentrate on sitting. It reminds me of sitting and driving to lengthen a stride...that's kind of how it feels coming into your turn.
Your questions:
1. Most barrel races are "open," meaning that you don't have to be a member of the association to compete. Just find a race (the event page on here is a good place to start!) and enjoy!
2. There are a bazillion. I have a Triple Creek (less expensive, semi-custom)
3. Western saddles are measured from pommel to cantel. The only way to really know your size is to sit in several. Brands will also vary in their fit. I ride a 14.5" and think average would be 13-15".
4. Rate is the point before the barrel where you slow down for the turn. This applies to #7. A "ratey" horse would tend to shut down too early (so you have to "push" them, hence the "push style") A free runner might tend to miss the rate point, or need "checked", basically slowed by the rider to turn.
5. We all run together in a divisional barrel race, there are no classes. At the end of the race, the fastest time is the winner of the 1D. Add 1/2 second for the winner of the 2D, another 1/2 second for the 3D...and so on. The number of places paid in each division depends on the number of entries. Producers will state in advance the percentage of entry fees paid back and the breakdown of the payout by division.
6. You'll just have to try and see what suits you! During the run, smoother is faster. But, it's more important, imo, to find one safe and sane that fits you and your ability.
Hope that helps a little! And, hopefully the more experienced/knowledgeable folks will be on in the morning :)
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Expert
Posts: 1586
Location: west of East Texas | You have a big jump ahead of most barrel racing newbies. ha ha ha Sorry I couldn't resist. What state are you in? Find the barrel races close to you and go watch. Sit in the stands and start talking to people. Then start working with a trainer just to get started. Associations vary all around the country and they vary greatly. Saddle brands vary greatly and it's usually a matter of how much you have to spend. They are sized differently and I wouldn't buy one until you've actually ridden with someone and tested a few. Rate is the collection the horse does as it's approaching the barrel. The D's (Divisions) are kind of a rating system so a variety of competition levels can play. The fastest time of the day is the 1D. The 1D time plus .5 seconds is the 2D winner. The 1D time plus 1.0 seconds is the 3D winner. etc.... Question 6---- find a trainer that you can ride behind and ask them this question. Push style horses need more encouragement to run all through the pattern. Free runners need to more encouragement to slow down and make the turns. This is my very simple, basic answer to most of these questions. Welcome, barrel racing is just as addictive as any other horse sport. Have fun! | |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| Welcome! Fellow convert here as well! I also haul with a gal who use to event and we just took in a new boarder who is coming from the jumper world so you are not alone!
I think most of your questions have been answered well. I will say, I enjoy he challenges and rush of running barrels. I enjoy the people, the family, and the atmosphere so much more than other disciplines I have competed in.
A few comments related to your questions - saddle sizing. I rode a 17"-17.5" English saddle then I rode pleasure horses for a while in a 16" western saddle. It took me a while to get comfortable with putting myself in a 14-14.5" saddle! I don't like feeling trapped, I rode a 15" for a while until my horse started turning harder and leaving me hung out to dry, they are small for a reason. I am 5'9 and about 160lbs and I ride a 14.5" double j pozzi pro. Seat depth really makes a difference though, my friends 15" Kelly kaminski circle y feels waaaaay too small to me, but it has an entirely different swell and pocket to it. Try before you buy and horses comfort comes first. Much like the English world, if it's $500 or under brand new, steer clear. You can find a lot of quality used saddles in a $500-$1000 range though.
Push vs free runner depends on your style of riding. What to look for in a barrel horse the same. I started on a whim with a free horse who had no barrel training and had been standing in a cow pasture for a number of years. Not my first choice, but today I love and adore him and he's turned out to be a pretty neat dude. He's also taught me a lot. I find myself calling on my hunter/dressage background frequently.
If you can't find or can afford a trainer, books, videos, clinics, etc. absorb as much as you can.
Good luck! Feel free to PM me if you have any other question, I've truly enjoyed this journey and found my equine niche in the barrel racing world. | |
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 Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
| Welcome. I spent majority of my life competing hunter jumper on the "A" circuit as well. Although I'm more into roping now than barrels... I really only wanted to say something about rate.. to me, rate can somewhat be compared to finding your "distance" .. you rate "slow " or back off the stride to make your distance to the fence. That's what worked for me and how I FINALLY understood it lol! Putting it that way for me also helped me understand why I needed my roping horse to rate off too. | |
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 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | Welcome!! Showed hunter/jumpers until I was in high school before converting because of finances. If you tell us where you are, someone can probably recommend a really good trainer in your area to help you get your feet wet. The hardest part for me was getting really comfortable riding one handed without contact. I used to spend hours loping circles to get used to sitting differently and turning loose of my horses.
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | freeportbarrelracer - 2015-05-21 10:59 PM Hey guys, So I've been riding and competing Hunter/Jumpers from about the time I could walk and showing intensely on the "A" circuit. I'm a very accomplished rider but unfortunately now that I'm out of college I do not have the financial means to continue showjumping. However I've decided to start barrel racing because I'm super competitive and I just HAVE to ride and compete horseback somehow. So naturally the western world is completely new to me and a hell of a lot different then what I'm used to. I have a lot of questions and not many people I can turn to for help because all of my friends compete hunter/jumper. Any advice or answers to my questions would be greatly appreciated thanks for taking the time to read. So my questions are as follows. 1. What are the major associations and which ones would you need to join to compete? (in hunter/jumper shows for rated competitions we had to belong to USEF for our points to count. wondering if its the same for barrel racing) 2. What are good barrel saddle brands? 3. How does sizing for barrel saddles go? all of my jumping saddles are a 16 or 16 1/2 but barrel saddles seem to run smaller? someone PLEASE explain 4. What is the meaning of rate? 5. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE explain the whole 1d 2d 3d thing and how pay outs go 6. When looking to buy a barrel horse what should I be looking for? I'm very knowledgeable about show jumper conformation and what makes a good show jumper or just a conformationally sound horse in general I'm referring more so to what to look for during a run 7. Push style vs. free runner? whats that even mean? any other advice or tidbits of information are greatly welcomed, thanks again yall :)
Welcome! I was definitely never an A circuit competitor, but I did ride hunters and dressage for several years until I was around 16. I'll answer your questions as best as I can.
1. What are the major associations and which ones would you need to join to compete? (in hunter/jumper shows for rated competitions we had to belong to USEF for our points to count. wondering if its the same for barrel racing)
NBHA (National Barrel Horse Association) is probably the largest. There's also IBRA (International Barrel Racing Association) and a few others. For Rodeoing the main association is the WPRA (Womens Pro Rodeo Association). In order to be eligible for any year end prizes or finals you do need to be a member. Sometimes there are also local associations that you can join as well.
2. What are good barrel saddle brands?
There are so many good brands out there. Meleta Brown (she literally has the best customer service in the world), Cactus, Martin, Crates, Double J, Coats, there are many more. Circle Y is an ok brand but not one of the best. Mostly anything you can find new for $1000 less is probably going to be crap quality.
3. How does sizing for barrel saddles go? all of my jumping saddles are a 16 or 16 1/2 but barrel saddles seem to run smaller? someone PLEASE explain
The seat sizing is different. They are measured from the horn to the middle of the cantle so your western seat sizes are going to be smaller. For example, I can ride in a 18" english saddle but am comfy in a 15.5" western saddle. For you I'd guess about a 14" seat but if you have the chance to go sit in a couple that'll tell you for sure. You want to be "snug" but you don't want to be squished. There should be about an inch between your thigh and the swell.
4. What is the meaning of rate?
Rate=collection. When you're running to a barrel, you want the horse to rate (or collect) right before the barrel so you have a nice smooth, tight turn, then you want the horse to be able to accelerate away from the barrel. You don't want to run full guts a the barrel because the horse might slip or your turn will be wide. It's like in jumping, if your horse gets up to the jump all strung out vs having a nice round canter.
5. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE explain the whole 1d 2d 3d thing and how pay outs go
I'm not the best at explaining this... First place for 1D is the fastest time of that show. First place for the 2D will be the time that is .5 seconds slower than the fastest time and so on. So for example, if the fastest time of the show is 16.50, the winner of the 2D will be 17.00, winner of the 3D will be 17.5 and so on. Most shows are 4D's but some big shows will do 5D's. The winner of the 1D will get bigger prize money than the winner of the 2D. I don't know exactly how they divy that up though.
6. When looking to buy a barrel horse what should I be looking for? I'm very knowledgeable about show jumper conformation and what makes a good show jumper or just a conformationally sound horse in general I'm referring more so to what to look for during a run
Definitely good conformation is good conformation. After that, it's up to you. Whether or not you want/can handle a hotter horse, whether you want a finished horse that can help you learn or a prospect, and so on. If you can find any instructors or experienced barrel racers in the area they might be able to help guide you in the right direction.
7. Push style vs. free runner? whats that even mean?
A free runner is a horse that will just take off and run hard. They don't like riders that are in their face, kicking and whipping. They run better with someone quiet that will just guide them around the barrels. A push style is a horse that you have to push to get the speed out of them. The nice thing about push style horses is they'll only go as fast as you ask, which is great when you're first starting out.
Hope I helped! | |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | just4fun - 2015-05-22 12:24 AM freeportbarrelracer - 2015-05-21 10:59 PM Hey guys, So I've been riding and competing Hunter/Jumpers from about the time I could walk and showing intensely on the "A" circuit. I'm a very accomplished rider but unfortunately now that I'm out of college I do not have the financial means to continue showjumping. However I've decided to start barrel racing because I'm super competitive and I just HAVE to ride and compete horseback somehow. So naturally the western world is completely new to me and a hell of a lot different then what I'm used to. I have a lot of questions and not many people I can turn to for help because all of my friends compete hunter/jumper. Any advice or answers to my questions would be greatly appreciated thanks for taking the time to read. So my questions are as follows. 1. What are the major associations and which ones would you need to join to compete? (in hunter/jumper shows for rated competitions we had to belong to USEF for our points to count. wondering if its the same for barrel racing) 2. What are good barrel saddle brands? 3. How does sizing for barrel saddles go? all of my jumping saddles are a 16 or 16 1/2 but barrel saddles seem to run smaller? someone PLEASE explain 4. What is the meaning of rate? 5. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE explain the whole 1d 2d 3d thing and how pay outs go 6. When looking to buy a barrel horse what should I be looking for? I'm very knowledgeable about show jumper conformation and what makes a good show jumper or just a conformationally sound horse in general I'm referring more so to what to look for during a run 7. Push style vs. free runner? whats that even mean? any other advice or tidbits of information are greatly welcomed, thanks again yall :) Welcome to the dark side!!!
I took h/j lessons for a long time, although never had the finances to compete. I loved it!!! You will find, in general, that your seat is much more forward than most barrel racers. So, sit down. lol! Actually, I still post forward, but have had to really concentrate on sitting. It reminds me of sitting and driving to lengthen a stride...that's kind of how it feels coming into your turn.
Your questions:
1. Most barrel races are "open," meaning that you don't have to be a member of the association to compete. Just find a race (the event page on here is a good place to start!) and enjoy!
2. There are a bazillion. I have a Triple Creek (less expensive, semi-custom)
3. Western saddles are measured from pommel to cantel. The only way to really know your size is to sit in several. Brands will also vary in their fit. I ride a 14.5" and think average would be 13-15".
4. Rate is the point before the barrel where you slow down for the turn. This applies to #7. A "ratey" horse would tend to shut down too early (so you have to "push" them, hence the "push style") A free runner might tend to miss the rate point, or need "checked", basically slowed by the rider to turn.
5. We all run together in a divisional barrel race, there are no classes. At the end of the race, the fastest time is the winner of the 1D. Add 1/2 second for the winner of the 2D, another 1/2 second for the 3D...and so on. The number of places paid in each division depends on the number of entries. Producers will state in advance the percentage of entry fees paid back and the breakdown of the payout by division.
6. You'll just have to try and see what suits you! During the run, smoother is faster. But, it's more important, imo, to find one safe and sane that fits you and your ability.
Hope that helps a little! And, hopefully the more experienced/knowledgeable folks will be on in the morning :)
Excellent point!!!! That was hard for me too. I remember my trainer yelling saying to me one day "Sit DOWN and LOOSE in that saddle or I'll climb up there and hold your hips down!" | |
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 Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | I'm the opposite. I've been barrel racing for years, and just recently started to learn Hunter. I'm having fun with it!
My Tad Coffin jumping saddle is a 17.5" seat. My Lisa Lockart Circle Y saddle is 14.5". I believe the general rule of thumb is that your English saddle will be 2" bigger than what you ride in Western, or vice versa. Of course, I don't meet that rule of thumb! But it's a starting point. If you normally ride in a 16 or 16.5" jumping saddle, I would try a 14" or 14.5" in a barrel saddle and see how that feels to you. If you are used to the "freedom" of a jumping saddle, heck, you might even prefer a 15" barrel saddle to give you some extra room. The seat sizes are measured completely different between western and english and so that is why the sizing is different.
There is all sorts of organizations and associations that put on barrel races, but most of them are OPEN which means that anyone can enter. One organization you might want to look into the NBHA (National Barrel Horse Association). They have chapters in almost every state and have world finals. But there's also local clubs that will do small series for year-end awards and things like that. Just depends what is in your area.
There are lots of good saddle brands. To guide you a little, for a NEW saddle that is $500 or cheaper, they are junk. You sometimes can find a basic Circle Y or Billy Cook for around $1,000 or under. Niceeeeee brands are going to run you over $2,000. Again, this is talking NEW. You often can find good deals on used saddles that have been well taken care of. The best thing you can do is try as many different saddles on your horse as you can, and you ride in as many different ones as you can. Then you can start determining what fits your horse and what doesn't. And what YOU seem to prefer as well.
Just as you would for English riding, make sure to find a barrel racing trainer to help you. Or at least start meeting people at barrel races and start asking for advice!
Rate is just a word that is used to explain how your horse needs to collect themselves to prepare to turn the barrel. Maybe compare it to how your jumping horse needs to get their footwork correct as they approach the jump, so that they can set their body up to make the jump. Rate is just about making sure your horse is ready to turn, as you go into the pocket.
As far as the "D's", some races are 3D, some 4D, some 5D. It just depends on how they have set the race up. The splits can also be different from race to race. Usually they have it posted on the flier.
For example, NBHA follows a 4D format with a 1/2, 1/2, 1, 1/2 split. That means:
If the fastest person that day was a 15.0 second run, they would win the 1D.
The 2D would begin at 15.5 seconds, and there will be a 1st place, 2nd place, etc in the 2D. If you were a 15.499 you are in the 1D and you are too fast for the 2D.
The 3D would begin at 16.0 seconds
And the 4D would being at 17.0 seconds.
Some races only do 1/2 split throughout. So then the 4D in that type of race would be 16.5 seconds.
Just depends how it is set up! In my opinion, it is sheer luck if you happen to place in one of the lower divisions, because it is chance on who is going to be the fastest, and it is always different on the splits. But luck or not, I'll take the money!!
You'll still use your current knowledge of a conformationally sound and correct horse. A few things that I like to look for in a barrel horse is short cannon bones, hocks low to the ground, rounded hindquarters, and an overall good balance (ex: not a long back). Of course, winning barrel horses come in all shapes and sizes so there are going to be exceptions to the rule. Winning horses can be anywhere from 14.0 hands to over 16.0 hands. It just depends on the individual talent of that horse.
Push-Style typically means the horse likes to turn. In order to clock well, they usually need a rider to hustle them.
Free-running typically means the horse likes to run. They don't require any hustle from the rider, when in fact, the rider needs to remind them to rate and collect for the turn so that they don't run by the barrel too far.
Those are just general descriptions; each individual horse will be a little different, or a combination!
You are going to LOVE coming to the dark side!!!
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 898
Location: Mountains of VA | Personally I'm sick of the show ring Hunters. Too much politics and god forbid if the horse switches it's tail or flick's an ear going over a jump.
If you are used to riding hunters or jumpers, you will get along better with a ratey type of barrel horse, not a free runner. You will have to get out of the "perfection/training mode" to ride barrel horses. There is a lot of training that goes into making a great barrel horse but there is a point where you have got to quit training and let the horse run and use it's style/conformation to get the job done.
I'm enjoying the switch from Hunters to race bred Paints. I'm sure I will never be out of the 3D/4D but my horses are bred well/trained well and will be great at the next level with a younger barrel rider. :)
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 Expert
Posts: 1395
Location: Missouri | You've already gotten a ton of great info/advice here so just wanted to say...welcome! And good luck! | |
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  Rebel Without a Cause
Posts: 2758
Location: Adopt a homeless pet - www.petfinder.com! | You are in excellent company, Kassie Mowry and Christy Loflin both came from backgrounds of showing rated h/j shows. Welcome to the barrel racing world! | |
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 Expert
Posts: 2041
Location: home for the winter...what a dumb idea | As someone who just reasently started riding Hunter jumpers my biggest problem is keeping all the contact required for them. So you will probably have the opposite problem .....If you keep as much contacted both with hands and legs as a jumper your horse will go nuts....I had a very accomplished jumper form Switzerland ride my finished barrel horse and she about drove him nuts...and he is not a very sensitive horse. ..... | |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12842
| On the saddles, I suggest Corriente saddles, they are attractive and fit most horses. They are a very good entry level saddle. They start about $500. Billy Cook saddles are a nice lower priced saddle and fit well. I have four of them. They run about $850-1050. I also have a Circle Y Josey Ultimate. It fits the two horses that I use it on like a glove. Sits great. It was $2300. Personally, I would get one of he lower end saddles to see if I actually like barrel racing. You can always get rid of them and get a different saddle. Make sure that you get a large enough seat so that you can get your legs forward.
A good clinic will help you with your seat and how to run the pattern. | |
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 Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4557
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | You have a lot of good information. The type of horse you need is the opposite of your hunter. You want squat and wide. Blood lines with race horse thoroughbred/ quarter lines like dash for cash. Fire water flit. Foundation lines like drifter. Cactus, crates ,courts, pish, Sloane are the best saddles to stay with if you want to compete on the serious side. Wood rawhide covered tree is best.slightly heavier than composite. Rate is a half halt ie you can't do 35 miles an hour around a circle 25 is best. The pattern is to the inside of the clover leaf. To compete you must be a member however you can run at N.B.H.A. as a non member with no year end rewards. Some rodeos will allow locals to compete to bring the numbers up and that will posted on there flyers. Associations NBHA. WPRA.IBRA. and some local barrel racing clubs google for your state.
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Take a Picture
Posts: 12842
| cow pie - 2015-05-24 7:55 AM
You have a lot of good information. The type of horse you need is the opposite of your hunter. You want squat and wide. Blood lines with race horse thoroughbred/ quarter lines like dash for cash. Fire water flit. Foundation lines like drifter. Cactus, crates ,courts, pish, Sloane are the best saddles to stay with if you want to compete on the serious side. Wood rawhide covered tree is best.slightly heavier than composite. Rate is a half halt ie you can't do 35 miles an hour around a circle 25 is best. The pattern is to the inside of the clover leaf. To compete you must be a member however you can run at N.B.H.A. as a non member with no year end rewards. Some rodeos will allow locals to compete to bring the numbers up and that will posted on there flyers. Associations NBHA. WPRA.IBRA. and some local barrel racing clubs google for your state.
Here in E TX we have barrel races every weekend that do not require any kind of membership. Even the local associations do not require membership. The good thing about the 4D system is that even the beginner rider or someone riding a young horse just starting out can still win money. | |
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | You've gotten great advice. For saddles, the better quality (not junk) saddles will be a Martin, Coats, Slone, Ammerman, Cactus, Double J, Marlene McRae, Triple Creek, Merrill, Cecil Phillips, Stoney, Caldwell...
if you look on the ads on this site, you'll get an idea of the brands to look for. I don't see a lot of junk saddles listed on BHW.
If you can, start riding with someone who knows what they're doing. You'll be able to notice their horsemanship and riding ability if you watch a race. Look for a rider on a horse that is effortlessly doing his job--not a lot of pulling, a quiet rider. If you take a couple of lessons, they will probably help you determine whether or not you want a push style or free runner and can probably point you in the direction of one for sale.
Good luck and seriously--welcome to the dark side. I much prefer roping to barrels--but this site is great to get a multitude of opinions and experiences relating to barrels and horses in general. | |
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boon
Posts: 2
| Thank you I really appreciate all the info that you've given! I'm excited to start this new venture everyone seems so welcoming and nice in the western world lol | |
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | Welcome!!! I grew up riding equitation hunters and a teensy bit of jumpers, but I always loved hunters better.
I STILL struggle to not ride so forward sometimes, I can tell if I'm in the proper western/barrel racing equitation because I feel like I'm leaning back. I ride with a smudge shorter stirrups than most of my friends. My barrel horses are all trained with hunter buttons and are ridden with contact. Some habits die hard. Lol | |
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boon
Posts: 3
| Sorry to drag up an older thread but I was doing a search for something else and this popped up. I'm in the same situation! I'm a hunter/jumper trainer that is getting burned out and I need something fun for me to do! I barrel raced a little bit at some NBHA and IBRA shows in my early twenties but after having kids I couldn't do the English stuff and run barrels so I stayed with the English since I had a clientele. After reading through all of this great advice the one question I had is why do you want to sit more then in English? Are you talking about sitting the whole run or just when turning the barrel? If the whole run I was wondering the reasoning behind that because wouldn't your horse be able to run better if you were up off his back? (thinking of jockeys on race horses). | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 878
Location: "...way down south in the Everglades..." | 2hearts1dream...the sitting deep is about the turns not referring to between barrels. It basically (among other things) is the biggest (IMO) cue to get your to set and rate so he/she is able to get under themself and turn effectively. You will still ride more jockey-like on the straight but even then, I feel it's more like a 3 point rather than full 2 point.
Welcome to both of you...I'm a converted A circuit H/J gal too (primarily too because of finances and I was sick of the politics in the hunter world) and I completely love the switch. I still miss jumpers, but I do not miss the hunters one bit. Hoping one day I get another jumper to play with.
But yes, the seat was the hardest thing for me to change and to this day I still find I have a bad tendency to get too far forward every now and then. I've also had to get over my "fear" of not having my heels down 24/7 & having absolutely perfect equitation...it's certainly not Eq. O/F but I do think the overall background of riding H/J is a huge help for body control, timing, rate and distances.
All the advice is great IMO. The only comment I tend to disagree with is that one that said the OP would like a ratey or push type horse. I personally like a free runner but maybe I've had too many crazy ponies back in the day. I don't think that choice is a one shoe fits all. It's a personal fit I believe.
Find a great mentor and good luck and have fun!!
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 Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | Welcome fellow convert! My biggest challenge was not riding with an equitation style and really learning to sit on my seat bones. Another challenge was letting my horses work and not always having to have that feel of their mouths. | |
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Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | Speedy Buckeye Girl - 2015-09-04 8:33 AM 2hearts1dream...the sitting deep is about the turns not referring to between barrels. It basically (among other things) is the biggest (IMO) cue to get your to set and rate so he/she is able to get under themself and turn effectively. You will still ride more jockey-like on the straight but even then, I feel it's more like a 3 point rather than full 2 point.
Welcome to both of you...I'm a converted A circuit H/J gal too (primarily too because of finances and I was sick of the politics in the hunter world) and I completely love the switch. I still miss jumpers, but I do not miss the hunters one bit. Hoping one day I get another jumper to play with.
But yes, the seat was the hardest thing for me to change and to this day I still find I have a bad tendency to get too far forward every now and then. I've also had to get over my "fear" of not having my heels down 24/7 & having absolutely perfect equitation...it's certainly not Eq. O/F but I do think the overall background of riding H/J is a huge help for body control, timing, rate and distances.
All the advice is great IMO. The only comment I tend to disagree with is that one that said the OP would like a ratey or push type horse. I personally like a free runner but maybe I've had too many crazy ponies back in the day. I don't think that choice is a one shoe fits all. It's a personal fit I believe.
Find a great mentor and good luck and have fun!!
Wow ^^ You sound so much like me. I have no desire to ride another hunter, but if I hit the lotto.....back to the jumper pen I go. I just can't do it financially.
I have to disagree on the ratey horse as well, currently I'm riding my first super ratey one.....I love her, but it will always be much more natural for me to ride a free runner. I can do it, and I believe in adapting to the horse you've got if you're going to get tougher.
The body control you have from riding H/J is a huge help. You just have to adapt a few things. I didn't ever have that difficult of a time with sitting, to me it's very simlar to how you sit some horses to drive them up under themselves at a fence. WrapSnap does some great explanations. I did spend many many many hours loping/trotting circles one handed. My trainer made me hold the saddle horn to get used to driving one handed.
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Veteran
Posts: 120
| 2hearts1dream - 2015-09-04 6:57 AM
Sorry to drag up an older thread but I was doing a search for something else and this popped up. I'm in the same situation! I'm a hunter/jumper trainer that is getting burned out and I need something fun for me to do! I barrel raced a little bit at some NBHA and IBRA shows in my early twenties but after having kids I couldn't do the English stuff and run barrels so I stayed with the English since I had a clientele. After reading through all of this great advice the one question I had is why do you want to sit more then in English? Are you talking about sitting the whole run or just when turning the barrel? If the whole run I was wondering the reasoning behind that because wouldn't your horse be able to run better if you were up off his back? (thinking of jockeys on race horses).
Sit in your turns......HARD....lol...or your going one way while your horse goes the other. Most good barrel racers ride forward between the barrels, but you won't see one coming up out of the saddle. We spend years trying to stay in the saddle so we don't get behind our horses. That could cause you to loose 2/tenths hehe | |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
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Location: Kansas | WELCOME! | |
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 Elite Veteran
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| 2hearts1dream - 2015-09-04 4:57 AM
Sorry to drag up an older thread but I was doing a search for something else and this popped up. I'm in the same situation! I'm a hunter/jumper trainer that is getting burned out and I need something fun for me to do! I barrel raced a little bit at some NBHA and IBRA shows in my early twenties but after having kids I couldn't do the English stuff and run barrels so I stayed with the English since I had a clientele. After reading through all of this great advice the one question I had is why do you want to sit more then in English? Are you talking about sitting the whole run or just when turning the barrel? If the whole run I was wondering the reasoning behind that because wouldn't your horse be able to run better if you were up off his back? (thinking of jockeys on race horses).
As another former convert...I let the horses run through the pattern, get up and literally "hunt" the barrel, but find that I am over their shoulders and forcing them on the forehand when going though the turn. This causes the infamous "dropping in" (no, we are not surfing, we are barrel racing!) and either potentially shouldering the barrel or not having their weight (and mine) in the hindquarters to they can't dig in and leave hard because all the weight is loading them down in front. (See avatar for reference.) And if I stopped this and sat through my turns I could peotentially move out of the 4/3D to the 2D. Hope this helps! | |
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boon
Posts: 3
| Thank you everyone for the welcome and clarification/ advice!! I'm so excited to be back at it!! I'm ready for the change of pace and friendly atmosphere!! | |
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Hunter Jumper turned Barrel Racer...HELP!