Barrel Horse News

HORSE RACING: A barrel of fun for Metcalf and Clark (07/22)

Lauren Clark still marvels at how her barrel racing career has worked out so well.

Especially since her favorite – and top prize-winning horse – was bought by mistake.

When Clark purchased him four years ago, the 2011 Elizabethtown High School graduate thought she’d picked up a horse with the registered name Streaking Six. Instead of streaking to titles, it was seeking gold.

“His registered name is Goldseeker Smash. When we bought him, I thought his registered name was (Streaking Six),” Clark said. “I bought the wrong horse and pretty much made the best of it.”

Look what she’s done with him since.

Clark and 7-year-old Goldseeker Smash won the third division in the 150-person 14-18-year-old age group at last Saturday’s Youth Barrel Race in Scottsville hosted by Branham Farms – recording their second third division title together in three years.

Meanwhile, LaRue County high school freshman Montana Metcalf placed fifth in the second division with her two horses – Tricky Rabbit and Ettabo Ruler – in the 14-18-year-old age group. She finished in 15.833 seconds on Ettabo Ruler and in 15.907 seconds on Tricky Rabbit. Last year, with Ettabo Ruler, Metcalf was the reserve champion of the third division’s 13-and-under age division.

In barrel racing, a horse and rider try to complete a clover-leaf pattern around positioned barrels in the fastest amount of time. According to the National Barrel Horse Association, the overall fastest time is used to set the time brackets for the four divisions – first (the fastest times), second (those riders who ran one half-second or slower than the overall fastest time), third (one second or slower than the overall fastest time) and fourth (two seconds or slower than the overall fastest time).

Both local female riders have barreled their way into some nice winnings.

Clark said she normally runs in the first division, but Goldseeker Smash has been bothered by allergies – especially thanks to the hot, dry weather. Despite an unexpected off opening race, Clark got Goldseeker Smash to rebound to take the third division in 16.3 seconds and earn a pretty nice weekend check.

“I pretty much got lucky and got some money. I have to say I was pretty mad at my horse and got lucky. That’s part of barrel racing, though,” Clark said. “I actually won more at that show than I paid for him. I paid $954 for him and won $991 this (last) weekend alone. He’s paid for himself over and over again.

Take the Saddle on I Love Horses Day « Mommy's Memorandum

Meet Rodeo Queen and Barrel Racer, Sierra Howard Villalobos

This post has been picked up by the Lone Tree Leader and is available in hard print.

As the sun highlights the red desert mountains, casting shadows against the wind-carved canyons, a pasture stands out. Inside its enclosure, Jason Aldean’s, “She’s Country” drifts through the air. Thewords ”You boys ever met a real country girl” echoes the reflection of 21 year old, Rodeo Queen and Barrel Racer, Sierra Howard Villalobos, standing next to her two Quarter Horses, eleven-year old Dunny and seven year old Snazzy.

Do not let the Pontiac she drives mislead your thinking, she is a country girl through and through and her passion is horses. She hauls horses. She trains horses. She even rides horses. While she can not put her finger on why horses are her passion, she is in awe due to their size and nature, “Horses are so beautiful and such big animals. The fact that an animal that big would let you on its back; let you tame it, makes it an amazing animal.”

Sierra Howard Villalobos with her horse While she is in the fields watching her horses graze or unwind after a workout, Sierra can be found reading the latest issue of Barrel Horse News Magazine. A barrel racer for years she has seen her share of horses and owners and if there were thing she could change in the barrel racing industry, “helping those owners that treat their horse badly” tops her list. “Riding barrels took commitment. I was a lousy rider initially, but Barbara West believed in me and taught me the skills of being the rider I am today and the one I aspire to become in my future.”

Sierra enjoys watching anything on Animal Planet. She looks up to the singer, Selena for her kindness, her compassion for people and her positive attitude. They are the qualities Sierra hopes to convey with her horses and the humans that she encounters.

Even Sierra’s bucket list revolves around horses! On top of her list is “going to the NFR one day; Becoming a well-known horse trainer and marrying a cowboy.” She is not necessarily set on checking them off her bucket list in that particular order.

While Villalobos has been around horses her entire life, ownership happened nine years ago. There has been no looking back. She covets the talent of Horse Whisper. There is a vast amount she has learned about horses. The knowledge has only enriched her love affair with them. Still, there is a terrific amount she hopes to discover about horses. Her two horses are her pride and joy, especially eleven year old Denver Dun Bar (“Dunny”). He has been with Sierra for the past seven years. She is training him to be a barrel horse. His character and personality makes him a keeper, “He is a horse until the day he passes away that I will own. He is an angel. I just love him.” Sharing the field with Sierra and Dunny is seven year old Stinkingly Blue, nicknamed, “Snazzy”. “I have ownded her for a few months. She is very high spirited.” Sierra Howard Villalobos loves horses! Sierra’s purpose is not just about horses. Her first job was a dog groomer’s assistant. If she had the opportunity other than working with horses, she would like to have a career as a Veterinarian. The voice of a horse, Sierra says that most people are quick to judge a horse. “Horses do NOT think like us. So many people think if a horse is acting up that the horse is stupid and does not know what it is doing when, in fact, it is the rider that does not know how to communicate with the horse. Horses are intelligent, and with some training, patience and love they can do many things you would not expect.

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