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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 678
  
Location: Canada | I have a question for those who host or attend jackpots with 100+ entries.
How do you get through them so quickly?
I'm from Canada and honestly 40 people at a local jackpot is large and it takes an hour to run through it once. As soon as we get to 100 people it takes HOURS (3-4 sometimes) to get through them. I see advertisements for jackpots with over 1000 people (I'm assuming super shows) and I'm wondering how the heck do they run them so quickly.
I'd love to hear how the bigger shows in the US run or any tips on getting through the jackpots faster.
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 Expert
Posts: 1440
Location: Texas | These are some of the things I have noticed. They usually have 2 to 3 tractors running the drags. They typically have holding pens for each drags so the riders are there any ready and they give the riders a 60 sec time limit to get their horses into the arena or they disqualify them. An lastly they have paid barrel setters for each barrel. Most of the big shows here and run between 50 or 60 an hour. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 224
Location: Southern OK aka God's Country | The drags make a big difference. Having 2-3 tractors is a HUGE help. Also, the gate person and gate configuration can make things faster/slower with regard to getting people in and out. Another thing at big races that is getting more attention (deservedly!) is better software that's keeping people up to speed on the draw, current placings, results, etc, and that's www.rodeogo.com. I went to a race in Denton, Texas that had over 400 entries and it was SO nice knowing what number they were on, who was winning, etc. without having to ask everyone around you. And for people that hang out in living quarters until they get close to running, they don't have to keep calling and checking--it's all live on the website that you can access from any smartphone (an app would be even better!!).
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
 
| AMEN on the drags! Some of our summer jackpots only have 30 entries and they take FOREVER because there is one SLOW tractor. |
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 Reaching for the stars....
Posts: 12708
| We have an arena in VA that sometimes draws 70-80 peeps. The tractor owner refuses to 'go fast' on his tractor. I now refuse to go to those shows. Another arena regularly draws 100+ but will use some power on the tractor and we get thru the 100+ hours faster than the 'slow' tractor arena.
The big super shows have 2-3 tractors and drivers who know their stuff. I think they must have a 'pattern' they run too! LOL! But even at those shows the average is 50 runs per hour. I know Booger had a way of getting 60 per hour run but not sure how since I never attended one of those shows. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | A good crew 
Edited by Southtxponygirl 2014-02-07 11:21 AM
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 Ima Cool Kid
Posts: 3496
Location: TN | Drags don't need to take so long........IF
the tractor driver would only drag the area where were running NOT the entire fricken pen!
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 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | our local races have 180-200+ total runners. we run all classes in the same draw, and then sort the entries as they run. We usually end up with 150+ in the open, and 40ish in the senior and adult. The first race of the year we had 70 YOUTH RIDERS! good grief. these are no added money shows.
Because this is a local organization we tend to run a bit slower. all barrel setters are volunteers and all office staff are volunteers. we pay the tractor driver and the jackpot secretary. we get about 35 an hour with one tractor driver. we do big drags at 50.
At the production shows with paid staff, the way they keep things moving is-
1- at least two tractor drivers
2- time limits in the alley
3- gate staff keeping people in holding pens
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Veteran
Posts: 234
| I am not a producer but have attended many jackpots over the past 50 years. It seems to me that it takes multiple tractors at least 3 used during the drag, of which they know which barrel each is responsible for and which way they are all going to work. At times it looks like synchronized chaos. Also the alley set up is so that the horse leaving the arena passes the entrance quickly to allow the next rider to come in quickly and get started. And above all a great gate man in the alley to run the show. Communication Communication Communication to all the workers responsible for running the show. I Think D&G crew does an excellent job of running off a large barrel race I wish they would put a video out on how they work different ground before a show. |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| Doing regular drags and "big drags". So you're only dragging the barrels themselves on each drag and then every 50 (i think) doing a big drag of the whole pen.
Having a tractor and drag that is an appropriate size for the arena. Too small for the arena is just as bad as too big. |
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 Tried and True
Posts: 21185
Location: Where I am happiest | Besides the arena crew and multiple tractors for the drags, I think probably the biggest time savor most efficient set up to run so many so fast is setting up the wings. That way you have your next 5 in during the drags in the holding area, and there is no waiting on the gate and the alley way cluster. Also, it eliminates the bad to start alley way issues that eat up so much time. 99.999% of horses with alley way issues have no issues with the wings set up. |
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 BHW Jr. Cougar of the Year
Posts: 14957
Location: Heart of Texas | We can have up to 200 at local association barrel race around here. Especially during the winter. 2-3 tractors are a must. There are alley rules too. You rarely, if ever, see someone circling or attempting to walk their horse up the alley. They call your name, you go.
Edited by T-Zip 2014-02-07 11:55 AM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 678
Location: Canada | AWESOME.. thanks so much for the suggestions. Please if anyone else has some keep them coming :) |
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 I Want a "MAN"
Posts: 3610
Location: MD | lonely va barrelxr - 2014-02-07 11:19 AM We have an arena in VA that sometimes draws 70-80 peeps. The tractor owner refuses to 'go fast' on his tractor. I now refuse to go to those shows. Another arena regularly draws 100+ but will use some power on the tractor and we get thru the 100+ hours faster than the 'slow' tractor arena.
The big super shows have 2-3 tractors and drivers who know their stuff. I think they must have a 'pattern' they run too! LOL! But even at those shows the average is 50 runs per hour. I know Booger had a way of getting 60 per hour run but not sure how since I never attended one of those shows.
Which arena in VA? Also starting on time, sounds simple but it seems like when shows don't get started on time they end so late. I give props to anyone that puts or helps put on barrel races. It's very thought out and can be so stressful I don't think I could do it! lol |
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 My Eating is Horrible
Posts: 1719
Location: GA | in addition - a good announcer.
An announcer can either slow a show down or push it on thru. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 133
| Also, the announcer can help out too. Not talking too slow. There is a race I've been to and good grief the announcer talks like molasses! It takes a loooonnng time to even say the name of the team going. It does slow the race down even when there's only 50 entries. So annoying! |
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 Texas Lone Star
Posts: 5318
Location: where ever my L/Q trl is parked | Start the race on time.... there are shows that have exhibition runs before the actually race...that's great, but just because you've over book the t/o or have a few snafu's during that time and start running late so what.... cut the t/o off and refund money back to those that didn't get to run. Get the show started on time. I along with several other's I know really rely on the show starting time...since some of us have to work weekends and still want to run. |
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 Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11511
Location: 31 lengths farms | Yep, the well run efficient races all seem to have multiple tractor drivers that have a routine down so drags are quick and effective as well as a separate warm up pen and a holding pen for the racers in that drag.
We went to a race a year back or so, large large outdoor pen, one tractor, the pen was sand so it was a roller type drag and I'm not kidding, I was in a panic because I was number 1 on my first horse and number 6 on my next horse and only had about 15 horses between that one and the 3rd horse...lets just say I had PLENTY of time....Holy Moses that was SLOW.  |
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 Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4557
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | 40 in an hour is a good deal. I figure it takes a WHOLE minute for one rider. That is 60 riders an hour or 60 minutes. Then to have a tractor usually 1 that drags 3 barrels. For the tractor to drag fast leaves a lot of pot holes for the next set of runners. So only the very first set of runners have the best ground and any after the very first 5 are SOL have the crapiest ground not to mention the craters those horse have to charge through sometimes crashing and falling and how is that FAIR for the next 50 runners. By driving slow it fills the holes and makes for safe ground. Unless God changes the time ratio 80 minutes to equal one hour or a time warp. Your just going to have to DEAL with it cause when it comes to horses you just have to wait. |
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Reaching for the stars....
Posts: 12708
| CE's wrapn3 - 2014-02-07 12:57 PM lonely va barrelxr - 2014-02-07 11:19 AM We have an arena in VA that sometimes draws 70-80 peeps. The tractor owner refuses to 'go fast' on his tractor. I now refuse to go to those shows. Another arena regularly draws 100+ but will use some power on the tractor and we get thru the 100+ hours faster than the 'slow' tractor arena.
The big super shows have 2-3 tractors and drivers who know their stuff. I think they must have a 'pattern' they run too! LOL! But even at those shows the average is 50 runs per hour. I know Booger had a way of getting 60 per hour run but not sure how since I never attended one of those shows. Which arena in VA? Also starting on time, sounds simple but it seems like when shows don't get started on time they end so late. I give props to anyone that puts or helps put on barrel races. It's very thought out and can be so stressful I don't think I could do it! lol
Bedford is slow. Appomattox is fast. Herndon is faster when they have two tractors. |
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