Riders saddle up in Starkville to compete in Winter Barrel Race series

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Age and experience are just numbers when you come ready to compete.

Horsemen saddled up Sunday in Starkville to race the clock and each other in a winter series event.

The Winter Barrel Race series is a series of events that have riders and their horses racing against time.

Mississippi Horse Park Director Bricklee Miller said people from across the region saddle up to compete.

“This event calls contestants here to compete in barrel racing that would normally not come to Starkville, Mississippi on a Sunday afternoon. We do have contestants from all over the state of Mississippi, even contestants from Tennessee and Alabama today,” said Miller.

Laura Flowers, 19, said the atmosphere at the horse park made the more than three-hour drive from Vicksburg worth her time.

“Everyone’s very welcoming, coming from two and a half hours away. That’s super important because if something breaks on the trailer if you need help with anything, everyone’s just super willing to jump in and help you,” said Flowers.

Another unique aspect of the series was the wide range of experience and ages that come ready to compete.

“We have some very, very young riders here we have some writers that are here that is the very first barrel race today. And they are actually under the age of 10 that are competing today. And then, of course, we have seniors that are writing as well,” said Miller.

Flowers believeD the Horsepark in Starkville is one of the best places in the region to ride.

“This is one of the best pens to run in and as far as ground goes on horses are very expensive and you don’t want to run on just any ground and risk injuring them in any way,” said Flowers.

The next event in the series is Saturday, February 15.