2D Champion for the Winter Series! (Winter Barrel Racing Updates)
- Leanne Dunn
- Apr 30, 2016
- 3 min read
Even though showing slows down in the winter, there is a local barrel racing series that runs from October to April – which is actually the first place I took Fancy to in April 2014. For that reason, the past couple winters I’m always determined to do better than the last. In 2015, Fancy won 3D champion and I won my first ever trophy tack. I came into winter 2015/16 ready to run even harder!
The first show of the series happened to fall on my birthday, so I was really hoping for a clean, good run. We hadn’t been barrel racing in almost three months, so I was a little nervous going in, but I know my mare always pulls through for me. Even when she’s in the worst mood, she puts it all behind her when she’s running. My girl pulled off 2nd in the 2D with a 17.9! A great start to the series.
The next show was a double pointer, and after starting the series with some points, I was really hoping for a good day. Since I moved to my little farm I didn’t have a riding ring to practice in, and I hadn’t been out to practice, so this was her first time running since the last show. She ran hard with a 17.393, which was enough to win us the 2D! I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day for a great run.
I woke up feeling absolutely horrible the day of the December show, so I decided to stay home. I run for fun, and running while being sick and tired sounded pretty miserable. I took that day to relax, and decided to bring Fancy there on a non-show day a week later for practice. I worked on a lot of my issues (like looking up at the next barrel) and generally had a nice day out with my Fancy. It was the middle of December and 70 degrees!
I also took a friend up on an offer to bring me to a large show a couple hours away a week after my practice. We left first thing in the morning and got to the show around 9AM. We sat through pole bending exhibitions and open runs, then peewee barrels, and exhibition barrels. I took three exhibitions since I’d never been there, and Fancy was ready to run! The ground was great and she was turning really well. I was number 88 in the open, so we didn’t get to run until around 8PM. By that point I was so tired (and hungry, I was nervous and hadn’t had anything to eat all day) that I really didn’t even “ride” for this run. Fancy pretty much did the whole pattern herself, and we came out with an 18.049. We were just a couple out of the money for the 4D. It definitely wasn’t my finest day, but sometimes, you just have those days.
The rest of the winter series back home went well – even though I lost some confidence from the last show. Fancy and I continued to run in the 17’s and placed in the 2D for many of the shows.
After many months of practice, sweat, some tears, and a lot of big smiles – I found out I had won the 2D for the winter series! To some that means nothing, but to me, I couldn’t be more proud. One year prior to this we won the 3D, and after just one year we had moved up to winning the 2D! I couldn’t be happier with my partner in crime, whom I would trust with my life. I’ve never met a horse with so much love for their job and such a pleasant attitude towards everything. I can’t wait to see where the future takes us!
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