Big changes for OBRA's 2010 season
Reduced membership fees, guaranteed saddles and buckles
It's shaping up to be one of the most exciting seasons ever in the 35-year history of the Ontario Barrel Racing Association as we creep ever closer to brushing the snow off the barrels and legging up horses for competition.
It's no secret the economic downturn in 2009 hit even the horse and horse-show industry hard. Canada was no island in all of this. All across North America horse shows experienced a 30 per cent decrease in entries and sponsors and show hosts were hard to come by. The good news is that 2010 is a rebound year and already things are improving. That means there's good times ahead... quite literally.
The Ontario Barrel Racing Association held its annual general meeting Nov. 28 at the Mohawk Inn in Campbellville and 28 dedicated members made their way out to determine the association's future.
A new executive of passionate individuals was elected at the meeting to carry the OBRA through what is already shaping up to be a stellar year of competition.
New Team
OBRA's new leader is President David Clingen. David brings a wealth of business experience to the position and a terrific attitude. He and his wife Rachel own and operate a successful event management company and his entire family is dedicated to the sport of barrel racing. They have been invaluable to our association in the past and will no doubt be a huge asset to us this season.
Craig Widdifield was elected 1st Vice-President. With over 20 years experience in hosting competitions and a former longtime director and vice-president of a local riding association, Craig brings experience and enthusiasm to the post as well as 22 years of experience in the communications industry.
We were all tremendously saddened to learn of the passing of dedicated member and volunteer Pete Burgess last fall. However, we are thrilled to report that Linda Burgess is starting to pick up the pieces and has re-joined the OBRA executive this season. Linda is a former OBRA President and longtime director and dedicated member (and a tough competitor in the ring too!). We are excited to have her knowledge and expertise back at the table.
Regional directors for 2010 include Laurie Fisher in the North, Glenn Sutherland in the West, and Kurt Kneidinger in the Central Region. The East director is yet to be determined. We are currently in discussion with some terrific people in that area of the province. All of our directors are longtime barrel racers and in some cases past executive members. They have each committed to making this one of the best seasons of competition for OBRA members ever.
Each director has been asked to put together a "team" for their area of two or three other individuals to take some of the load off them and provide valuable input and ideas for shows, sponsors, awards and anything else needed. If you are interesting in becoming a team member in your area, don't hesitate to contact them at the numbers and e-mail addresses at the top of this page.
We also welcome aboard Christine Thorne as our Youth Rep on the executive this year.
We want to send a huge thanks out to Past President Louise Annett and VP Al Nicolson for all of their hard work last season. Al and Louise stepped up to fill roles at the last minute and had a lot dumped on them without warning. When you see these two at shows, be sure to pat them on the shoulder and offer your thanks.
Thanks as well to Tara Tomson for helping to tabulate the points and to our newsletter editor Sarah Wilkins for all her hard work last year.
OBRA Changes Format
Likely the biggest change to the OBRA this season is an overhaul of the format for shows. With the unanimous approval of members at the annual general meeting, the executive voted to go with a 4D format in 2010 instead of the Sweepstakes and Limited Open, or "A" and "B" divisions. OBRA 4D runs will be identical to the NBHA 4D format this year. The problem with the old system was 20 per cent of the membership was running for 63 per cent of the added money at shows. Show hosts weren't happy having to come up with so much money for the Sweeps with only 10-20 entries in the class. The 4D format gives everyone an equal shot at the added money. Its popularity North America wide is a clear indicator that people like it. Also, we have obtained a commitment in principle from NBHA Canada to work co-operatively toward the betterment of barrel racing for all enthusiasts across the province. In many cases shows will feature both an OBRA and NBHAC sanctioned 4D run. The format of classes at standard shows we would like to see is as follows:
1. OBRA 4D Open Barrels
2. NBHA 4D Open Barrels
3. (3 and 4 year-old exhibition runs)
4. OBRA Rookie Barrels
5. Futurity Barrels
6. Peewee (pony) Barrels
7. Youth Barrels
8. Polebending
While the order of the classes isn't set in stone, this format gives every competitor at least two runs at shows. This is especially important to anyone traveling longer distances to events. At shows not co-sanctioned with the NBHAC, the OBRA will offer two point-award earning 4D runs. For year-end titles Champions will be "A Champion", "B Champion", "C Champion", and "D Champion" for the 1D, 2D, 3D, and 4D winners in order to maintain the nostalgic tradition of the OBRA "A" and "B" Champions list.
Guaranteed Awards
With the change in format, the OBRA is guaranteeing members that they are competing in 2010 for Championship trophy saddles in each of the four divisions as well as belt buckles for Reserve Champions and awards to all of the Top 5. In addition, Royal Run Ranch and Gerard and Christine Bernauer have generously offered to come back on board as sponsors for our Futurity Championship saddle and 2D belt buckle. In fact, we need just three more year-end championship sponsors to enable us to offer saddles and buckles for all of our year-end class champions, including Polebending, Rookie of the Year, and Youth. If you are interested in sponsoring one of these year-end Champion titles, please contact one of the executive. Sponsorship is very affordable and a number of opportunities at all levels are available from as little as $120 up.
Drastically Reduced Membership Fees
Another of the big changes for OBRA this season is a drastic reduction in membership fees. OBRA has cut its membership fee to just $45 dollars this season to attract new members and make showing more affordable for everyone. We have also added a youth membership fee at just $35 for the very first time.
New Member Incentive
As an incentive for new members to join OBRA this season the association is offering a New Member Incentive Bonus. The top point-earning new member in the 4-D (no matter what division), will receive a beautiful bomber-style champion jacket proclaiming their win. This is also open to former members who have not been a member in the past five years. In addition we will be recognizing dedicated long-time members for continuous years of membership in the association. Details on that program will be announced at a later date.
VIP Membership
VIP Membership is new this year. A $350 VIP membership gives you two single memberships for married couples, or replaces an individual or family membership. The concept behind the VIP Membership Program is to give the benefit of sponsorship to regular members who do not own a business or offer a service and would not get any value out of an OBRA sponsorship. VIP members will get VIP treatment at the shows with a VIP parking decal for preferred parking and complimentary continental breakfasts at two-day shows. Preferred, no hassle stalling at the finals, and a slot to compete in a special VIP only, 2-D, one-second split barrel race at the finals for a saddle (1D) and belt buckle (2D) with NO ENTRY FEE. It also gives you wrist band access to free refreshments at the finals in a special OBRA Café that will open to all members at the 2010 finals. Plus you get satisfaction of supporting Ontario's longest running barrel racing association and helping to make it a success.
Online and Interactive
Tammy Telfer has stepped up and taken on the important role of webmaster for the OBRA website, www.obra.ca. We greatly appreciate her efforts and by the time you read this, a revamped OBRA site might already be launched.
We want to send our sincere thanks to Bonita Huber who has been generously donating her time to manage the website for the past few years. You did a great job Bonita and we thank you for your service.
In addition, in an effort to improve communications with members, and barrel racing enthusiasts across the province, OBRA initiated the launch of a Facebook fan page in January. Called "Barrel Racing Ontario," the page is a place for all barrel racers, regardless of club or association affiliation, to share information, advice, photos, event notices, videos and more of the sport we all love. Already the page has united over 730 fans from across the province and parts of the U.S. Barrel Racing Ontario is also registered on Twitter at twitter.con/BarrelRacingON
New Rookie Class and Division
One of the bigger OBRA changes is the addition of a Rookie Class for new or less experienced riders. The class is restricted to Ontario residents who have not competed at an OBRA or NBHA sanctioned event or rodeo in Ontario for the past two consecutive years and who have not earned more than $1,000 barrel racing lifetime. Rookies can only compete in this class for two years. Current year champions become ineligible the following season. Final approval of rookie status rests with the executive. There will be a saddle and buckle for the year-end high point and reserve champions. Rookie class entries can also compete in other classes for which they qualify at shows. It's hoped this class will spur new members who are currently competing at club shows or who have never competed in barrel racing to come out and give OBRA shows a try with a real chance at winning a championship title and the excitement that goes along with that.
Stallion Incentive Program
OBRA has also decided offer a Stallion Incentive Program this year. There are many more great quarter horse studs in the province than ever before. In order to recognize and promote them, the OBRA Stallion Incentive Program will operate as follows: $200 buys a nomination for stallion into the program. Note that nominations can be registered either by the owner of a stallion or the owner of its offspring. At the end of the season, the owner of the leading point earner's sire will get an OBRA Leading Stallion belt buckle as will the top point earning horse owner. Points for offspring will be considered from all classes and combined. Points on the stud will be the combined points of all his get in OBRA competition. If 10 or more stallions are nominated, there will be cash awards as well.
In addition, the stallion owner will get a stud advertisement on a special Stallion Incentive Fund page on our website until April of 2011, a listing each month in our newsletter in The Rider, and the benefit of a top listing in the incentive fund for barrel horses. Also, incentive fund horses will be recognized during shows to promote the stud as well as the program. To nominate a stallion, please contact Laurie Fisher at the number or e-mail address at the top of the page.
Championship Finals Awards
In order to be able to offer some terrific prizes at our Championship Finals this season, OBRA is collecting a $2 Finals Awards fee with each entry at shows in 2010. This money will be accounted for and used solely for the purpose of providing some great prizes and awards at the finals in October.
Sponsorship Packages
We want to send a huge thanks out to Jim Wilson Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick GMC in Orillia for becoming our first major sponsor for 2010. Jim and his family are wonderful people who have gone above and beyond to support barrel racing in Ontario over the years. This year they are sponsoring our barrels. If you are looking for a new car or truck, you won't find any better deals or service than with Jim's dealership and we encourage our members to check him out first. Also thanks to Royal Run Ranch and Gerard and Christine Bernauer for coming back on board. In addition we welcome once again the support of the Quarter Horse Industry Development Program under the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario. Other sponsorship opportunities are available. We are selling off our chute or alleyway, warm-up area, office/announcer's stand, among other opportunities. If you are interested, contact any member of the executive listed at the top of the page by phone or e-mail for more details and a sponsorship package and letter.
The Season Ahead
We already have a list of 24 possible show dates established for the 2010 and we are working on more. There are even a few new shows in the mix this season across a broader area of Ontario. We're not done yet though, with reduced prize money requirements this season, hosting a show is more affordable than ever before. If you and or someone you know are thinking about hosting a show or want to know what's involved, please contact the director for your region. Already we have ratified co-sanctioning for the terrific show Murray and Maxine Watson have been running for the past two years in Oil Springs, the Black Gold Barrel Bonanza. With a little help from OBRA, Murray is now offering four $500-added 4D runs at the show in a addition to a slate of other classes. The dates are July 17 and 18, 2010. Details and entry forms should be posted shortly at www.blackgoldbarrelbonanza
Practice Make Perfect
Also coming up this spring, Gerard and Christine Bernauer are hosting another Joyce Loomis-Kernek Barrel Racing Clinic at Royal Run Ranch in Harrow, ON, near Windsor May 22 and 23. There will be a meet and greet open house with Joyce on Fri., May 21 and an open arena. The cost per horse and rider is $350 for the entire weekend, observers are $30 per day. There's a 15 rider limit so book soon. Light breakfast and lunch provided.
For more info on the clinic or to book a spot e-mail christinetall@yahoo.com or call 519-919-4960.
Next issue we will have photos from the 2009 Awards Banquet that was taking place the day after deadline for this issue. If you have any news or information you want posted here, please email it to obraeditor@aol.com or post it on Barrel Racing Ontario and we can pick it up from there.