I’m Kayla, and yes, I really went for it. I typed “barrel racing lessons near me,” called around, showed up with my goofy bay gelding, and got dust in my teeth. Worth it. Let me tell you what worked, what didn’t, and why I’m still grinning like a kid.
I live in North Texas, so there are barns everywhere. But even here, finding the right fit took a few tries.
Where I Started (and why my stomach did flips)
I hadn’t run barrels since high school. My gelding, Rio, is kind and a little spicy. He’s more whoa than go. I wanted control, not chaos. I also wanted to feel brave again. That part was harder to say out loud.
So I booked three things:
- A weekly private lesson with a local trainer
- A one-day clinic at the county fairgrounds
- A couple of low-key jackpot nights with our local NBHA district
Three lanes. Three very different vibes.
The Private Lessons: Quiet arena, bright lights, real progress
My trainer (I’ll call her Megan) runs a clean place with good ground and poles set straight. She’s a former 1D rider (that’s the top division). Calm voice. Sharp eye. No drama.
Real drills we did:
- Pocket cones: We set small cones out from each barrel. I learned to ride to the pocket, not the drum. Sounds simple. It’s not.
- Rate at the rib: She had me breathe out and sit two strides before the turn. Who knew a breath could slow a horse?
- Square drill: We used a square to fix my shoulders. No leaning. No diving. Just balance.
- Fence arcs: We practiced half-moon shapes along the fence so Rio would pick up his shoulder.
Gear notes:
- Helmet: Troxel. I wear it. No shame.
- Boots: Classic Equine Legacy. They stayed put in the lope.
- Bit: Josey “Million Dollar” bit. Rio liked it better than my old short shank.
- Saddle: My Martin barrel saddle fit, but we did add a felt pad shim on the left (I share the full breakdown of the barrel saddle that kept me in the turn here).
Numbers don’t lie:
- Week 1 exhibition time on a small pattern: 19.3
- Week 4: 18.1
- Week 7: 17.6, clean and even
Not blazing, but clean. Clean felt like magic.
What I loved:
- Clear fixes I could feel right away
- Simple homework: walk the pattern, then trot circles till it feels like butter
- Haul-in fee was fair, and the arena lights actually worked
What bugged me a bit:
- If it rained, the outdoor was closed, so we rescheduled
- She ran tight on time; I learned to tack early and be ready
Price I paid:
- $75 per hour lesson
- $10 haul-in fee
The Clinic: One day, big brain dump
The fairgrounds clinic was a whirlwind. About 12 riders. Good hands. Good eyes. We split into small groups by level.
What we worked on:
- Hands low, eyes up, inside leg steady
- First barrel approach, because that’s where I was getting late and wide
- Short spurts of speed, then rate, then leave the barrel like you mean it
They also checked tack. Saddle fit. Bit pressure. Even my breast collar was moved up a hole. Small things that made Rio relax.
What I loved:
- I took home a page of notes and three drills I still use
- A volunteer reset the barrels so the pattern stayed true
What I didn’t love:
- Fast pace; not much one-on-one
- No shade for horses; I brought extra water and a fly sheet
Price I paid:
- $200 for the day
- $15 stall fee with one bag of shavings
Jackpot Nights: Nerves, dust, and happy tears
I ran two local NBHA jackpots. Nothing fancy. Good people. You can feel the buzz when the timer beeps.
My results:
- Night 1: 18.4, 4D money by a hair
- Night 2: 17.8, nudged into 3D and missed a check by two spots
What I learned:
- Warm up longer than you think. A slow jog with bend made our first barrel safer.
- Exhibition runs matter. I paid $5 to trot the pattern and breathe.
- Ground changes. I switched to a deeper rim shoe after seeing Rio slip a little in the back.
Costs:
- $35 per run
- $5 per exhibition
- $7 office fee
You know what? Hearing my name on the speaker again felt brave. I got goosebumps. I’m not ashamed of that.
The Good, The Meh, The Real
The good:
- My seat got quiet; my hands got softer
- Rio started hunting the first barrel like he knew his job
- I shaved real time, not just “it felt faster” time
The meh:
- Windy nights made him spooky
- Rain messed with my schedule
- My thighs complained for two days after the clinic (worth it)
The real:
- This sport will humble you. One late cue, and you’re wide. Or worse, you hit a barrel. I tapped one. It rolled. I laughed and learned.
What Actually Worked For Me
- Slow work, a lot of it: Walk the whole pattern. Then jog it. Then lope. Don’t rush the turn.
- Count strides to rate: “One-two—sit—look—ride.”
- Lay down pocket cones: They saved me from cutting in.
- Video every run: I saw things I didn’t feel (like my inside hand creeping up).
- Protect his legs: Boots every ride, ice boots after jackpot nights if the ground was deep.
Hidden Stuff People Don’t Always Say
- Saddle fit changed as Rio muscled up. We punched new holes. My pad setup changed. That’s normal.
- Hooves matter. Fresh trim and good shoes made more difference than a new bit.
- Fitness is huge. For me too. Planks, a few squats, and walking stairs helped my balance in the turn.
- Shadow a pro if you can; spending a season following veteran trainer John Stewart opened my eyes to track strategy (full story).
One more sneaky challenge is the full-on “woolly mammoth” coat many horses grow when the weather turns. Clipping lines, shedding tools, and sweat management can get overwhelming, so I popped into an active grooming chat at InstantChat where riders crowd-source real-time hacks for keeping performance horses sleek, cool, and ready to shave seconds off the pattern.
If You’re Searching “Near Me,” Here’s How I Found Good Help
- Ask your local NBHA district who’s teaching beginners and who’s great with “hot” horses, or lazy ones like Rio.
- Check Facebook groups for your area. Look for videos, not just pretty flyers.
- Call boarding barns. Many know a quiet coach who doesn’t advertise.
- Go watch first. You’ll feel if it’s your crowd.
- Try one private lesson before a full clinic. Less stress. More feedback.
While barrel racers love swapping tips in tack rooms and Facebook groups, I’ve learned that every passion-based community has its own go-to directories. If you ever find yourself passing through the Netherlands and want to see how another tight-knit crowd organizes meet-ups and events, take a peek at the Holland swingers scene—you’ll find venue reviews, etiquette guides, and practical advice on connecting safely with like-minded, adventure-seeking adults.
For an online hub that lists clinics, jackpots, and gear reviews all in one place, I’ve bookmarked PDV Racing and check it whenever I need fresh barrel-racing intel. I also keep an eye on Lady A Horse for honest, rider-tested gear reviews.
Safety Stuff I Actually Use
- Helmet, always. I’ve got kids. I like my brain.
- Walk the pattern first. Every new arena has surprises.
- If your horse stumbles, check feet and the ground before you blame attitude.
What I’d Change Next Time
I waited too long to fix my stirrup length. I also changed my inside spur to a bumper, not a rowel. Rio thanked me with smoother turns. Funny how small things add up.
Final Take
Was it worth it? Yes. I got faster, but more than that, I got brave again. I’m still not a rocket. That’s fine. Clean, calm, and a little faster each month feels good.
Would I book the same lessons again? Yep. Private lessons for skill, a clinic for fresh eyes, and jackpots for guts. That trio worked.
If you’re on the fence, start small. Trot the pattern. Count your strides. Breathe out. Then smile when your horse snaps that second barrel like he owns it. I did. And I