For many years, Barrel Horse News has been bringing you the Decade’s Leaders via EquiStat’s 10-Year Statistical Review. This was done for a number of reasons. EquiStat began tracking barrel racing in 1985. In its infancy, EquiStat only tracked futurities and derbies, because professional rodeos were much harder to record in those days. By 2011, half of all Women’s Professional Rodeo Association circuits were being recorded, and that number continued to grow. With more than 35 years of calculated data, EquiStat is the only place to find complete, accurate results in the barrel racing industry. Moreover, it’s the best resource to see the overarching trends and successes in the barrel racing industry over time.
The first time BHN printed Lifetime Statistics was in 2020, having reported decade earnings in other years. Now, with the extensive look EquiStat holds in barrel racing data, beginning in 2023 BHN opted to move forward with printing Lifetime Earnings. For the second consecutive year, we’re bringing you the exclusive BHN EquiStat Lifetime Earnings Statistics. Because of the missing years in EquiStat’s tabulations of pro rodeos prior to 2011, some earnings reflected in Lifetime Data are likely much more than recorded in EquiStat.
Beginning on page 38, you’ll find the leaders of the pack with Lifetime Leading Owners, Breeders, Horses, Riders, Sires and much more. Congratulations to all who made it on the Lifetime charts.
This month we also dedicated the issue to the youth barrel racer. You’ll find expert advice from world champions and leaders in the industry in Abigail Boatwright’s “Nuggets of Wisdom” on page 18. It’s fitting that our Youth Issue coincides with the Lifetime Statistics, because young barrel racers look up to the greats in the sport. This issue not only highlights those greats but also focuses on helping the youth of the sport get there one day as well — there’s no one better to learn from than the leaders in the Lifetime Stats.
For the second year, you’ll learn about a new program developed to foster growth in youth ambassadors for the sport on page 24. Plus, online this month we’ll be showcasing youth-focused stories, so be sure to visit barrelhorsenews.com.
Also featured in this month’s issue is all the coverage from all the biggest events of the season like the NFR Open, Ruby Buckle West, Glacier Chaser Classic and a collection of the biggest youth rodeos of the summer and more, all beginning on page 45.
We hope you enjoy this issue. Be sure to stay up-to-date online at barrelhorsenews.com as BHN staff bring you the latest news, entertainment and training tips in the industry.
Until next time, stay safe.
— Kailey Sullins
Get your copy of the September 2024 issue here.
