I was just wondering how you guys that have been barrel racing for a while make time for it while being able to afford it? Im thinking about getting into barrel racing but right now I work full time and couldnt see myself having time to actually ride much less go to barrel races.

You can look at it two ways. You can barrel race for fun and go to small things or you can get serious. If you decide to get serious you have to dedicate time to really work at it. Time to improve yourself, time to get with your horse, and time to get your horse in top notch shape. Either way, I suggest that you get a horse that is already trained. Training a horse to really be good takes hours and hours. Unless you are willing to put in that time, get a trained horse. I don't think many people realize how much time these girls that rodeo put into it. I have been watching these lady ropers and just cannot imagine how much time they spend practicing roping. Hours a day I am sure. 

Like anything else you want to do you have to  make it a priorty to ride and budget for it.  I do local NBHA and an 3 day weekend series (when I can) that is about 3 hours away. 

I work FT and made myself go, I pre entered alot of stuff to make myself go and once I got going again it was so much fun!  I make time for what I want.  I don't want to keep up with weeds in a flower bed, but I want to ride.  So I ride, I am currently getting a young one ready to haul.  But you will make time to ride if it's important to you, for me that part is good for my mind and soul and heart