Barrel Racing Qualifier Dates:

(Make sure you are available on the dates for the semi-final and the Final if you Qualify)
Sunday, 12th of March from 3pm
Sunday, 19th of March from 3pm
Sunday, 2nd of April from 3pm
Sunday, 16th of April from 3pm
Sunday, 30th of April from 3pm

Semi-Final
Sunday, May 14th from 3pm

Final
SUNDAY evening on the 4th of June, during the Cowboys & Heroes County Music &
Americana Festival, from 6 - 8pm, times will be allocated for each finalist.
 

 

This is an open event, winner takes all, with no rider age limits or horse size categories.
 

Contestants who qualify for the Final will each receive two weekend tickets to the festival.
There will be a total of EIGHT horse/rider combinations competing on finals day.
 

The overall winner of the event will receive the Grand Prize of 1,000 Euro, and the Felix
Prior perpetual Cowboys & Heroes Trophy. If the winner is under the age of 18, the prize
money will be paid to a parent or legal guardian.
 

Championship Entry fee: 30 euro for two runs, fastest time counts for qualification
 

“Have a go (Hors Concours)” on any qualifying day, 2 runs for 10 euro - without eligibility
to qualify for the finals. Any donations to the Youth Team will be gratefully received and if
you or your company is interested providing sponsorship or donating prizes, please do not
hesitate to contact youth@iqha.ie or talk to us in person at any of the qualifying days.
 

We will take entries on the day, but riders that pre-enter will get an allocated time slot so
there is no waiting around. Last minute entries will run in entry order after the pre-booked
entries have finished their runs.
 

To enter, call Heidi on 083 4740048 or email Youth@iqha.ie
 

The qualifying heats and semi-finals will take place in the main INDOOR arena in
Drumcoura City
 

The final will take place in the OUTDOOR arena behind the stable block, on Sunday 4th of
June during the Cowboys & Heroes County Music & Americana Festival with all the
distractions that may bring (loud music, large crowds, baby strollers, umbrellas, bouncy
castles and/or funfair entertainments/rides etc.) This arena is uncovered, so the footing
and amount of grip it provides can change dramatically depending on the weather
conditions (rain). We advise all competitors to check out the outdoor arena during the
qualifiers to familiarise yourself with the running conditions for the final. Although the prize
money is very real, do keep in mind that this event is run to help raise funds to send our
IQHA Youth Team to represent Ireland at the American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup in
Texas in June 2023.
 

 

How the Competition works:
The three barrels must be run in a Cloverleaf Pattern, and the barrels will be set at these
distances (in metres) for the qualifiers and the final:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The run starts when the contestant crosses the start/finish line and breaks the beam of the
electronic timers.
You can begin the pattern with either left or right hand barrel.
If starting with the left barrel, you make a left hand turn around the first barrel, followed by
a right hand turn around the right barrel and another right hand turn around the top barrel.
If starting right, it’s one right turn around the right barrel and then a left turn around the left
barrel and another left turn around the top barrel, making a ‘cloverleaf pattern’.
The run is complete and the clock stopped when the contestant crosses the finish line and
breaks the beam of the electronic timers again.
The rider must be mounted on the horse for the entire duration of the pattern.
If a contestant knocks over a barrel during a run then a 5 second penalty is added to their
final time for each barrel knocked over. The contestant is allowed to touch the barrel to
prevent it from falling, so if the rider touches a barrel or if the barrel just tips, but does not
fall to the ground—then there is no penalty.
 

A re-run will be awarded only if there is a timer malfunction.
 

All competitors will be competing AT THEIR OWN RISK, disclaimer forms will be provided
when you enter, and MUST be either signed and returned via email/post or can be signed
upon arrival at the show office before you ride.
 

RULES:
Competing Horses and Ponies must be a minimum of 4 years old (as counted from the 1st
of January), please have a passport available for inspection if asked.
 

Suitable protective head gear must be worn
 

This is an open event, winner takes all, with no age limits or horse size categories. As a
guideline we do ask that a rider weighing over 54kg does not ride a pony 128cm or under.
A rider weighing over 60kg should not ride a pony 138cm or under.
 

The horse’s welfare will be paramount at all times during the competition.
 

Contestants can be disqualified and/or a ‘No Time’ will be registered for:
- Going off pattern by turning the wrong direction around any barrel
- Crossing the finish line without completing the cloverleaf pattern
- Use of excessive force or wilful abuse of the horse during the warm-up or during the run
- Blood on the horse’s flanks, on the bridge of the nose or in/on the mouth after a run
- Unsportsmanlike or abusive behaviour towards any members of the organising staff
and/or other competitors.
 

Qualifying numbers:
Every entry will get two runs, fastest time counts for qualification.
 

One rider can enter more than one horse, but an entry fee is payable for every horse/rider
combination, and qualification counts for the qualifying combination only.
 

Semi-final qualification numbers will depend on entry numbers PER HEAT:
if there are between
1-3 entries - 1 horse/rider combination qualifies for the semi - final
4-6 entries - 2 horse/rider combinations qualify for the semi - final
7-9 entries - 3 horse/rider combinations qualify for the semi - final
10-13 entries - 4 horse/rider combinations qualify for the semi - final
14-17 entries - 5 horse/rider combinations qualify for the semi - final
18-21 entries - 6 horse/rider combinations qualify for the semi - final
20-23 entries - 7 horse/rider combinations qualify for the semi - final
24-27 entries - 8 horse/rider combinations qualify for the semi - final
28-31 entries - 9 horse/rider combinations qualify for the semi - final
32 entries and over - 10 horse/rider combinations qualify for the semi - final
 

Management reserves the right to change these numbers depending on the amount of
entries received for the competition.
 

There will be a total of EIGHT contestants to compete in the Final for the 1,000 euro
Jackpot and the Felix Prior Perpetual Cowboys & Heroes Trophy on Sunday the 4th of
June 2023, during the festival from 6 - 8pm.
Reserve finalist places will be allocated in case any horse/rider combinations drop out
before finals day.
 

Tack:

This is an OPEN TACK competition, meaning either English or Western style tack can be
used. Bareback riding is not allowed.
 

There will be a tack inspection upon entering the arena to ensure safety and correct fit of
equipment for the horse and rider.
 

Prohibited Tack:
Draw reins, Side reins, Chambon / deGauge
German martingale / Market harborough
Metal nosebands, metal tiedowns, metal bonnets or metal bosals, no matter how padded.
Bits with anything protruding BELOW the mouthpiece (prong bit, donut bit, saw tooth bit)
Any sort of artificial assistance on the rider’s legs or stirrups to keep a rider in the saddle.
 

Tack allowed is as follows (but not limited to - if in doubt, please ask)
- running, standing or bib martingale or western tie-down. Standing martingales may only
be attached to the cavesson part of the noseband, not the bit.
- any style of noseband, so long as it’s not made of metal.
- any style of English bit (snaffle, hanging cheek, kimblewick, pelham, gag, bubble or
combination bit)
- Any western style shank or combination bit with a port less than 3 1/2 inches tall and the
shanks a maximum of 8 1/2 inches in length. A metal curb chain or leather chin strap of
at least 1/2 inch width MUST be used when riding in a shank bit. A noseband may NOT
be used with a western style shank bit, but a tie-down is allowed.
- protective boots or wraps for your horses’ legs
- spurs if not used excessively
- whips/crops if not used for more than THREE hits on the run home.
 

If you’re unsure about any equipment you want to use or have any further questions,
please contact Marleen on 086 2236076 or email us on youth@iqha.ie
 

Like what you see? Please join the Irish Quarter Horse Association (IQHA), for western
clinics and shows throughout the year for discounted member rates. Please contact
info@iqha.ie or visit www.iqha.ie

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