AUGUST 5, 2019 — Diamonds and Dirt Barrel Horse Classic founder Kristi Schiller and managing director Shanna Brown announced today that along with their family, the DDBHC team has made the decision to retire the barrel futurity moving forward.
“It is with sadness that we have elected not to produce DDBHC going forward,” Schiller said. “Creating and building such a prestigious event has been an incredible experience from the beginning, and for eight years we’ve been privileged to host the best horses and competitors in the equine world.”
Brown states that the event’s planning and production had grown to the point that those involved had put other aspirations on hold.
“An event of the magnitude in size as DDBHC requires a tremendous investment, both financially and with time and sweat equity,” Brown said. “Because of our commitment to making DDBHC a premier race, many other interests have been put on hold over the last nine years. But passions evolve, and we’re ready now to dedicate more time to other aspirations.”
Schiller expressed heartfelt thanks to everyone involved with Diamonds and Dirt since its inception.
“We feel blessed by the many relationships that have cemented since we started in 2011,” Schiller said. “It’s been an incredible ride. The best competitors, horses, announcers and arena staff, along with the team from Schiller Ranch, have made Diamonds and Dirt the premier barrel futurity in the U.S. What a privilege it was to raise awareness for K9s4COPs.org in the process.”
Schiller will stay involved with the industry through her stallion Epic Leader.
“In more than 8 years, thousands of professionals, open, amateurs, youth riders and trainers from all over the world have competed for millions of dollars in purses,” Schiller said. “All of us here at Schiller Ranch care deeply for those in the equine industry. Schiller Ranch will continue to promote the Quarter Horse industry through the success of Epic Leader and his babies.”
Article provided courtesy Schiller Ranch/DDBHC. For more, visit www.diamondsanddirt.com.
