Garden State Barrel Racing Series brings sport to area on a regular basis.
By: Ken Weingartner
Organizers say restoring fun to the sport was one of the reasons for the formation of Garden State Barrel Racing Series.
As the Central Jersey-based series prepares for its second season, co-founder Karen Wolfe says the group has achieved its goal.
"We started it up because we got tired of having to travel to North Jersey or South Jersey all the time for National Barrel Horse Association events," she said. "We wanted to get away from the politics. In this series, the members have a voice. We’re really thrilled with it. We have a lot of fun."
The series held 16 shows last season, averaging approximately 50 competitors per event. This season the first show of 2002 is March 17 there could be as many as 20 shows in the series, Ms. Wolfe said.
Locally, shows will be held June 2, June 16, Sept. 15 and Sept. 22 at Painted Sky Farm in Plumsted and May 5 and July 14 at the Horzepa Farm in Millstone.
In barrel racing, competitors race one at a time around a course marked by three steel drums. The fastest horse and rider to complete a cloverleaf pattern around the barrels is the winner.
There is an end-of-year show at which competitors race for cash prizes. Ms. Wolfe said the series decided against trophies and other awards because it was difficult to satisfy everyone. No one has a problem running for money. Last season, the year-end show had a purse in excess of $4,000. The goal this year is $5,000 added.
To qualify for the year-end show, participants must have raced in a minimum of 50 percent of the series’ events and paid the $5 purse fee at each show in which they competed. There is an entry fee, which averages $25, at each event. There is an open division and classes for seniors (ages 40 and older) and youth (18 and younger).
"We did away with point standings to qualify for the year-end show," Ms. Wolfe said. "It put a lot more fun into racing. You don’t have to worry about missing a few races and losing points. You would be dreading the next show because if you didn’t do well, it was no fun."
The series uses the "3-D" format in which competitors are grouped in three divisions based on times.
"It makes barrel racing equal for all types of barrel-racers, from pro to novice," Ms. Wolfe said. "We all run together, but you’re running against your own ability. It’s made barrel racing huge now."
Ms. Wolfe, who lives in Tinton Falls, was joined by Millstone Township residents Kathi and Doug Nilsen, Dawn DeRosa and Vikki McGuiness in forming the series.
The series is run entirely by volunteers and gets money through fund-raisers, such as candy sales and its March 10 tack sale and auction at the Freehold Township firehouse on Route 527. In addition, the series relies heavily on sponsors.
"It’s all volunteer," Ms. Wolfe said. "Nobody is mandated to do anything, but by not mandating things I’ve gotten more response and help than any other organization I’ve been in. I’m having a blast."
For information visit
gardenstatebarrelracing.homestead.com/gsbr.html
Garden State Barrel Racing Series schedule:
March 17, Handy Acres Equestrian Center Open Barrel Race, Jackson; April 7, Handy Acres Equestrian Center, Jackson; April 21, Pleasure Horse Farm, Farmingdale; May 5, Horzepa Farm, Millstone; May 19, Handy Acres Equestrian Center Open Barrel Race, Jackson; June 2, Painted Sky Farm, Plumsted; June 16, Painted Sky Farm, Plumsted; June 23, Handy Acres Equestrian Center, Jackson; July 14, Horzepa Farm, Millstone; July 25, Monmouth County Fair, Freehold; Aug. 25, Handy Acres Equestrian Center, Jackson; Sept. 8, Pleasure Horse Farm, Farmingdale; Sept. 15, Painted Sky Farm, Plumsted; Sept. 22, Painted Sky Farm, Plumsted; Oct. 6, Handy Acres Equestrian Center, Jackson.