Due to the dumpster fire that is 2020, the Better Barrel Races World Finals had to reschedule. The event, typically held in April, had to move to August. Now, for some of you, that’s not a big deal. But when you’re not used to 80% relative humidity, and the sweltering heat of Oklahoma in the Summer, it’s different, to say the least.
I had gone to the event with one goal in mind — to make the short round. Making the short round in the Fast Fifty — the top 50 fastest horses at the event was my ideal. I didn’t think that was an unreasonable goal. Avie had been working great all Summer, he felt good and I knew that if I rode him well we’d have a chance.
The First Round
Unfortunately, we had a little struggle with the ground in the first round.
But, we had another run to make. In between runs, I was taking care of the two mares I’d brought with me — Luna and Cosmo. Luna ended up injured on our trip and was on an antibiotic. Cosmo was pretty fun to ride around, as always.
The Second Round
Our second run, wasn’t much better than our first, to be honest. I didn’t understand why my horse was suddenly way off the pace. He’d been clocking in the 2D all year. We got by the first barrel and it wasn’t a super snappy backside. That didn’t help our time — at all.
As these big barrel races are apt to go (this one has about 1800 entries) a gal came in and smoked a run, which allowed me to win a check in the 4D and secure a berth to Short Round Sunday.
Short Round Sunday
Short round day arrived. There was a palpable energy in the air — and it was pretty dang fun.
Avie warmed up well, but I let my nerves get the better of me. There was a little slip on the backside of the third, but in the grand scheme that didn’t cost us much time. I simply didn’t ride him to the trip he deserved. Fortunately for me, he forgives me, so we headed home, to start our work all over again.
Someday, I’ll best a field of horses. And someday all this work I’m putting in now will pay off. Until then I’m going to enjoy the journey.
Enjoy the ride —
Jenn
