Edna, Texas, to Host Next Big Event in Barrel Horse Futurity World
Edna, Texas, to Host Next Big Event in Barrel Horse Futurity World
Barrel racing producer Renee Spiller and Melanie Cloward of 321 Action Video have decided to change things up a bit this January with the Texas Extreme Barrel Classic and Ultimate Texas Barrel Classic in Edna, Texas.
By Hope Sickler
January in the barrel horse futurity industry usually consists of cactus, desert, and the Buckeye Equestrian Center in Buckeye, Arizona. However, this year, barrel racing producer Renee Spiller with WrapN3 Productions and Melanie Cloward of 321 Action Video have decided to change things up a bit with the Texas Extreme Barrel Classic and Ultimate Texas Barrel Classic in Edna, Texas.
The Texas Extreme Barrel Classic, which is running from Thursday, Dec. 29 to Sunday, Jan. 1, will kick off back-to-back events at Brackenridge Recreation Complex, Edna's brand new equine facility. The following weekend is the Ultimate Texas Barrel Classic from Thursday, Jan. 5, to Sunday, Jan. 8. In addition to the $30,000 added 2D futurity, there is a $7,000 added derby, $2,000 added futurity amateur race, over $20,000 added to the open races, $5,000 added youth race, two big slot races and much, much more!
"I have been wanting to put on an event for some time now, and after listening to some of the opinions of futurity trainers down here in Texas, I decided that offering a futurity closer to home in January would be the way to go," Cloward said. "Although they all loved traveling to Arizona for those three big futurities, a lot of trainers didn't like to be gone from home that long, because they almost always had to leave several horses behind that needed consistent training and riding. It just seemed like a great idea if we could construct an event in January closer to home for the southern trainers."
Before partnering with Spiller, Cloward wanted find a producer who had already established big open races and could run a futurity and derby in conjunction. Cloward said Spiller has a reputation for not only getting a high number of entries in her open races but also draws rave reviews for her no late fees policy.
"That is huge in the barrel racing world," Cloward said. "If a barrel racer can not have to worry about paying late fees, they will bring two to three more horses usually every time. ... Once news of this event hit social media, it spread like wildfire. I was getting several messages a day from trainers and owners alike asking what they could do to help generate this into a successful event."
Among those owners was Zoe Braman with Isabella Quarter Horses, which is one of the hottest upcoming programs in the barrel horse world. Braman told Cloward she had always dreamed of having her own futurity and wanted to add $30,000 to the futurity. Braman also asked to come on board as a partner for the event.
"I was speechless," Cloward said. "Her generosity and confidence in our event was incredibly appreciated and uplifting. In addition to Isabella Quarter Horses, we have had several large companies, brands, and other owners contribute to this event. We definitely could not have done it without their help and generosity."
Usher Brand and Tami Semas have donated saddles, and stallion owners have donated stallion fees to the top 10 riders in the futurity. There is also a drawing for a John Deere Gator and free clinics are being given by 2016 BFA world champion Molli Montgomery.
Competitors who haven't entered yet can walk up and enter the $10,000 added Extreme Open 5D and the $20,000 added Ultimate Open 5D with no late fees until the last 25 runners at each race! Forms can be found online at www.wrapn3.com.
321 Action Video will be live broadcasting both weekends and both clinics for FREE. Check them out at www.321actionvideo.com for more information.
January in the barrel horse futurity industry usually consists of cactus, desert, and the Buckeye Equestrian Center in Buckeye, Arizona. However, this year, barrel racing producer Renee Spiller with WrapN3 Productions and Melanie Cloward of 321 Action Video have decided to change things up a bit with the Texas Extreme Barrel Classic and Ultimate Texas Barrel Classic in Edna, Texas.
The Texas Extreme Barrel Classic, which is running from Thursday, Dec. 29 to Sunday, Jan. 1, will kick off back-to-back events at Brackenridge Recreation Complex, Edna's brand new equine facility. The following weekend is the Ultimate Texas Barrel Classic from Thursday, Jan. 5, to Sunday, Jan. 8. In addition to the $30,000 added 2D futurity, there is a $7,000 added derby, $2,000 added futurity amateur race, over $20,000 added to the open races, $5,000 added youth race, two big slot races and much, much more!
"I have been wanting to put on an event for some time now, and after listening to some of the opinions of futurity trainers down here in Texas, I decided that offering a futurity closer to home in January would be the way to go," Cloward said. "Although they all loved traveling to Arizona for those three big futurities, a lot of trainers didn't like to be gone from home that long, because they almost always had to leave several horses behind that needed consistent training and riding. It just seemed like a great idea if we could construct an event in January closer to home for the southern trainers."
Before partnering with Spiller, Cloward wanted find a producer who had already established big open races and could run a futurity and derby in conjunction. Cloward said Spiller has a reputation for not only getting a high number of entries in her open races but also draws rave reviews for her no late fees policy.
"That is huge in the barrel racing world," Cloward said. "If a barrel racer can not have to worry about paying late fees, they will bring two to three more horses usually every time. ... Once news of this event hit social media, it spread like wildfire. I was getting several messages a day from trainers and owners alike asking what they could do to help generate this into a successful event."
Among those owners was Zoe Braman with Isabella Quarter Horses, which is one of the hottest upcoming programs in the barrel horse world. Braman told Cloward she had always dreamed of having her own futurity and wanted to add $30,000 to the futurity. Braman also asked to come on board as a partner for the event.
"I was speechless," Cloward said. "Her generosity and confidence in our event was incredibly appreciated and uplifting. In addition to Isabella Quarter Horses, we have had several large companies, brands, and other owners contribute to this event. We definitely could not have done it without their help and generosity."
Usher Brand and Tami Semas have donated saddles, and stallion owners have donated stallion fees to the top 10 riders in the futurity. There is also a drawing for a John Deere Gator and free clinics are being given by 2016 BFA world champion Molli Montgomery.
Competitors who haven't entered yet can walk up and enter the $10,000 added Extreme Open 5D and the $20,000 added Ultimate Open 5D with no late fees until the last 25 runners at each race! Forms can be found online at www.wrapn3.com.
321 Action Video will be live broadcasting both weekends and both clinics for FREE. Check them out at www.321actionvideo.com for more information.