Posted 2015-09-17 6:43 PM Subject: RE: Checotah Ok arena????
Veteran
Posts: 231 Location: OK
My experience - ground not always the best - if sun screen is down & it's windy - horses shy from it. If not down the sun hinders 1st barrel. BUT, have always like to go there in hopes ground is better & no wind. LOL
Posted 2015-09-17 6:54 PM Subject: RE: Checotah Ok arena????
Expert
Posts: 1343 Location: Oklahoma
I think the ground has been better the last year - not deep. Center alley, depending on who sets the pattern it may be won from a mid 15 to a high (15.9) or even 16.0 second run. Sunscreen behind first (right) barrel, bleachers set close to the fence on second barrel. Timer display.
Posted 2015-09-17 8:30 PM Subject: RE: Checotah Ok arena????
Lived to tell about it and will never do it again
Posts: 5409
Last time I was there( several yrs ago) after turning the first in the bright sun light I couldn't even see the second barrel. It was so dark and then it was set close to the fence with the bleachers right on top of it.
Posted 2015-09-17 8:52 PM Subject: RE: Checotah Ok arena????
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1045
Checotah barrels are set on lasers. There have been some mid to high 15's ran there recently. Ground is good if it is worked and watered. I have not had a problem when the screens are down....have never actually seen a horse shy from them but I am sure it happens. I use the arena alot as I am a member and live just outside of Checotah. The Betty Roper barrel race is the 3rd and 4th of October and Clayton Criger is doing the ground work....he does an awesome job! Also the timers are always set in the same place. Also the screens are on the south side of the arena and have nothing to do with the sun on the first barrel....the sun setting in the west comes in the arena from the ally and the open west end....so the screens have no bearing with the sun on the barrels.
Posted 2015-09-17 9:34 PM Subject: RE: Checotah Ok arena????
Rad Dork
Posts: 5218 Location: Oklahoma
Here is a visual of the arena. Exhibition run a year ago. I've gone there for many years (it's probably one of my favorite arenas) and have never had trouble with the sun and first barrel... Had some horses get antsy as you can't see it from back of the alley, but it's because of the chutes and not the sun..
This was my point about the sun.....not the first barrel. This is when the sun is setting and shining through the west end of the barn. It is a nice facility and they have some great barrel races here! Come join us for the Betty Roper barrel race. October 3rd is the team race and October 4th is the open 5d. We have tons of fun!
This was my point about the sun.....not the first barrel. This is when the sun is setting and shining through the west end of the barn. It is a nice facility and they have some great barrel races here! Come join us for the Betty Roper barrel race. October 3rd is the team race and October 4th is the open 5d. We have tons of fun!
Ahh, I see what you mean now! That would definitely be annoying!!
Checotah Ok arena????
Thank you everybody SO much