February Barrel Racing Highlights

February has kicked off with a bang and it has been non stop! Last weekend I made my way over to South Hanningfield where the first competition of the Essex Barrel Racing season was in place. It is great being an event photographer as I get to be in the middle of all the fun and action, capturing everyone’s enjoyment throughout the day.

Barrel Racing is a high speed sport where competitors have to ride around three barrels in a specific pattern and charge back to the start gate. The competition I attended was split into two classes, Youth and Open making it a more level playing field. Each rider gets three rounds of riding the barrels. As well as the barrel racing, the event also consists of Pole Bending. There are 5 poles spaced out in a line, riders gallop out of the start gate, weave in and out of the poles and then spin round and weave in and out of the poles again and then gallop back through the timing gates. 

The winner of the Youth section was Phoebe Jefferies with her pony Brook with the fastest time of 17.31 seconds! 

The winner of the Open section was Kirsty Faulkner and her horse Jammie Dodger with her winning time of 17.34 seconds. 

To find out more about Barrel Racing events in the UK and taking part follow this link to their Facebook group.