It would be my first one.. any recommendations for one that would be good for a first timer? I'm struggling with a few things at home and really want some help before I go out and completely embarrass myself lol! I'm on my older rope horse and he's so-so.... I've done the best I could do for now with him and I feel like we would both benefit from someone else helping me! I can travel a little but prefer to stay in Central Texas within a few hours or so.... I'm 45 this month and don't really want to be surrounded by a bunch of young kids either... I already feel too old sometimes to just be wanting to start to really haul around and have some fun... my husband says I'm crazy for thinking that but.... I can't help it... my plans got put on hold when my son got sick and now that he's well and we are over that ordeal, I kinda wanted to start doing some more things for me. I don't know if I should try to find a clinic or someone locally to go take lessons from, or possibly both. 

It's not that far to a Josey clinic. Lots of saddle time. Good presentations on many things. A lot of people come that know very little so you will fit right in. My best suggestion is go with the attitude that I am going to learn as much as I can. I have been to a bunch of their clinics and I got more out of one a year ago than any one that I attended. Stay out of the western store because you will spend too much!  Let me know if you decide to come and I will come meet you. Don't live far from them. 

I would find someone close to you and take lessons. I think being one on one with someone to give you lessons you can get alot more out of it, and it would be so much more cheaper

I second the lessons. You could probably pay for 15 lessons for the price of a clinic. Do you have friends who barrel race?

Go for the one on one lessons.  Hopefully you are able to find someone close to you that would also be at some of the same races so that they could continue to help.

how far are u from marshall tx dan and vicki are so good

I've toyed with the idea of Josey's. I've always heard wonderful things about it. So, I'm not a beginner whatsoever,  I've been riding longer than I've been walking.. buuuuut I grew up riding hunter jumpers up until I was 19yrs old. Then I took about 5 years off and got into roping... then I got bit by the barrel bug but I'm kinda stuck with my roping horse for a while so I have to use him... he's not very athletic when it comes to turning barrels but he tries for me. This is a little embarrassing but I don't have a barrel saddle at the moment ... I am having a very hard time finding one that fits his monster back right... I want to order a custom but I'm saving up right now for it. So I'm just riding him in my roping saddle because it fits him well. So I think maybe lessons might be a cheaper route for now it sounds like... and maybe just having another set of eyes on us and give me some pointers and homework I can do. 

How about the trainer you sent your daughters horse to a while back?He can help you and the horse?

He doesn't do barrels at all... doesn't even have a set on his place. It's typically all roping, all the time. Course he's teaching a bunch of beginners right now just basic horsemanship. He's awesome if I want to go over and rope, we are always welcome.  I know of a gal nearby that gives lessons and I know she goes to a lot of races and seems to always have some nice horses and horses for sale. I've talked with her a few times.. actually supposed to go to her place tomorrow to deliver some fresh chicken eggs to a gentleman that starts her colts and rides some for her, so I'm hoping I will be able to talk with her some more and possibly set up a time.  I honestly don't know her credentials,  but I know she's pretty active in the local barrel community, I've never heard anything negative but then again,  I'm not out and about in that scene at all. 

The people that go to clinics at Josey's can ride. They are beginning barrel racers. I won my first buckle barrel racing in 1959 and I still get a lot out of them. Like I said, I got more out of that clinic about a year ago than any I have attended. I like to go to various types of clinics and always go with an attitude that I am going to learn something new. Even Martha says you need to go to a clinic once in awhile. My trainer even goes to clinics once in awhile. We all get something out of them. The only clinic I know if that the Reinhardt's are putting on is in Florida. I don't think they give lessons at their house. 

I really think the Josey clinics are the way to go for a newb, like myself... that would definitely be a great starting point for me and my horse. Hes super broke, just not been on barrels for very long and I've never done more than a slow lope thru at home on him. He knows it and my daughter can get on him and cruise thru pretty decent. But I know there are probably several holes in his pattern that I'd like help with. I've read some of Martha's books and I've always thought she has the best way of explaining things that make perfect sense to me and I get what she's saying. I've gone thru a handful of others books and drills but Joseys always seem easier for me to understand. I think I saw an "Adult clinic" coming up soon at Josey's... that'd be right up my alley! I'm still going to reach out to this local gal, she's literally 20 minutes from my place. 

I'm very experienced rider but haven't actively ran barrels since I was a teenager.  I went to a Connie Combs clinic and enjoyed it very much.  She is very personable and I learned things while watching the others as well as when I was the one riding.  She has another clinic coming to my area in March and I'm already signed up for it.  She teaches to your skill level and your horses level.

Is the josey clinic more than one day? I think if it is,you should pack you bags and go,BECAUSE YOU DESERVE A BREAK,,AND SOME ME TIME, SO,I SAY GO AND HAVE A BLAST ALL BY YOURSELF

I also think the Josey clinics are a good starting point. You get plenty of saddle time and they really work on the fundamantals that give a strong understanding and foundation. The one I went to, I stalled by this lovely, slightly older lady by the name of June Holeman. She was working on a new horse she had just gotten, and called him Sparky. I loved seeing her send him down the alley at the NFR. So yeah- allll kinds of people go to clinics.

You can also sometimes go and audit some as a spectator, usually for a lesser fee. The person putting on the clinic would know if that is allowed.

I've gone to several clinics over the years. My favorite was Ed Wright (he called me his stalker). I liked Josey's, Connie Combs, and Talmage Green's. I'll also go to anybody lesser known and closer to home to see if I can pick up something.  My least favorite was probably Paul Humphreys.

Last time I rode there it was $200. That's way too much for a lesson. 

I read its 2 1/2 days. Looks like it would be $575 with a hookup for the LQ. I'm assuming that includes a stall... the option was extra stall or no extra stall. It's just me an ol lefty ... oh I'd totally drag my husband with me... lol! It could be a mini getaway for us. 

I've been to a lot of clinics in my life and by far I think my most favorite has been Paul Humphrey. I like that he brings horsemanship to the forefront and provides you with drills that will work on everything from a starting a colt to a seasoned horse. Plus for a little extra $$ you can go home with his drill pamphlets and have them at your fingertips after you leave. I appreciate those because I don't know about you, but sometimes there is just so much information in a clinic that it's hard to remember everything when  you leave.

I honestly think I caught him on a bad weekend. I had heard soooo many good things about him as a teacher/coach. But he seemed distracted and in a bad mood. He didn't seem good at explaining things on a level where the rider was. It was pretty obvious his words were going over the head of some less experienced riders, and he didn't make an effort to change that. I really think he was off his normal game.

What bothered me the most was he wouldn't allow anyone that wasn't family or signifigant other to be with the rider. I asked when I signed up for the clinic if it was ok to have somebody with you. My best friend often goes to clinics with me as a spotter. She videos (only my rides not anybody else) and really pays attention to what the clinician is saying or having me do, so she can help me replicate things at home. No other clinician has cared - in fact all others have said it's a good thing to have someone with you watching. We always offer to pay a spectator fee for her- no clinician saw the need for it, but we always offer. Paul Humphrey said that not only could she not be with me, she couldn't even be in the barn. She had to spend 2 days in isolation or entertaining herself by driving around in a strange town. The kicker was - he admitted when asked if we had just origionally said we were gay and she was my girlfriend- she could have stayed and watched. I get that a clinician might not want someone filming- they might not want training stuff that people haven't paid for getting out there. That's understandable. But to refuse to let someone have another person watching/taking notes for a rider just because they aren't family or lovers? Thats kinda bullsnookies.

That being said - the man knows his stuff. Appreciated his drills and the booklets for purchase. Some of the off pattern riding he had us do exposed a hole in my horse I needed to back up and fix. He also has a strong online presence and has posted helpful videos.

Wow, never heard of this side of him, I have always heard nothing but good about this man. 

My husband told me today to just sign up for the adult clinic in March! I was worried we may have some baseball tournaments that weekend but he told me he'd get someone to take the boys if needed. My daughter is telling me to go and she will stay home and take care of all my other critters. My hubby said he'd take me and tag along for support lol! I'm excited yet nervous. I've kept telling myself soon, soon you'll be ready,  the horse will be ready, this or that etc etc... its been a 5 yr inconsistent journey to run barrels on this horse and look at me... nervous to go to a clinic l!!! What a hot mess I am. If I don't step out of my own way, I'll never do what I've been longing to do. I can't really find any excuses not to go... other than not having a barrel saddle, that I like... I do have an older teskeys, I just hate the way it fits my horse, but I can probably make it work for a weekend.