Yorkshire cowgirls to face world's best in barrel racing contest

BBC News

25-06-2025

"It's the adrenaline rush I love. It's the best", says Eloisa as she tacks up a pony called Peaches, before swinging into the saddle and trotting out from a barn into an arena dotted with metal barrels. As she and Peaches then set off at a gallop, kicking up dust as they go, the 14-year-old, in a wide-brimmed hat and jeans with a large silver-buckle belt, looks every inch the Wild West cowgirl - even though all this is taking place in the perhaps more mundane setting of Mirfield in West Yorkshire.Moments before, a tractor had sprayed water onto the soft surface of the arena before the three large barrels were rolled into place, arranged into a cloverleaf pattern.Now, Eloisa and Peaches expertly and skilfully swerve around each of those obstacles before charging for the exit.The whole thing takes less than 20 seconds - and that is the aim of barrel racing: it is all about speed over style."When you first experience the speed, it is quite scary when you're going towards a wall and you've got to spin round a barrel, but it's so much fun," explains Eloisa.It has taken a long time for barrel racing to get all the way to West Yorkshire.In the 1940s, it was a mainstay of the US rodeo scene, as women and girls sought to give cowboys a run for their money in a traditionally male-dominated sport.Nowadays, top barrel racers can earn thousands of dollars in prize money, and one of the biggest annual competitions is the National Barrel Horse Association Teen and Youth World Championships in Georgia.It is that contest, taking place in July, for which Eloisa, as well as 18-year-old Anna Turner, from East Yorkshire, are now making their final preparations.
Sally Heron, who runs 4 Strides Equestrian UK in Lincolnshire, and who has put together the team including Eloisa and Anna, says the championships are "absolutely enormous".Once they arrive in Georgia, the Yorkshire pair will pitted against the "best in the world", she says."There will be 2,500 youths and teens between the ages of 13 and 18, racing for the entire week," Sally explains."There'll be two arenas running, and they get through three every 60 seconds."Sally says she discovered barrel racing while living and working in America and realising she "wanted to be a cowgirl"."The Western way of training horses is very different to the English way," she says. "I love that way of training.""I love the American lifestyle and the cheering and the clapping and the support, and the warm fuzz that goes with that," she adds.Back in the UK, Sally now has her own barrel-racing business and she introduces other riders to the sport.She says she is "now a fully-fledged cowgirl".
'Lot of effort'
For Anna, from Bridlington, it will be her second time competing at the event, and she knows it will be tough.The last time she took part it was "unlike anything I've ever experienced", she says. "The atmosphere's huge, and the crowd really gets behind you - and the louder the crowd cheers, the faster the horses run."Although the sport is based purely on speed, many teams enjoy dressing up both riders and horses.Anna says: "Bling is definitely part of it. We have our own team colours and dress up our horses."You can get breastplates, boots and saddle pads. It's all part of the fun."Including plaiting up, it can take up to an hour to get your horse ready."Some of the kids even put glitter on their pony. A lot of effort goes into it."
Practice over for another day, Eloisa goes back to the barn for Peaches to be untacked and loaded into a van for the return home. Peaches will not be going to the USA, with the team instead loaning ponies on which to compete.On arrival in Georgia, there will be only one day for Eloisa and Anna to acclimatise to their new steeds.However, while she may be nervous, Eloisa says she is most certainly looking forward to taking part in the championships.For her, the excitement at being involved in such a fast-moving and spectacular sport is clear to see."You come off and your legs are shaking. It's exhilarating," she smiles.
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