A valuable resource available to barrel racers includes the website of World Champion Barrel Racer Charmayne James.
Each month Charmayne contributes an article to the Barrel Horse News magazine. If you aren’t a subscriber you can still access this information. On Charmayne’s website she has a link called Barrel Horse News where you can find the articles organized for reading right on her website.
Past topics include problem solving for barrel racing, safe hauling, proper bitting for barrel horses, the importance of healthy barrel horses (including shoeing, dental work and chiropractic work). Important lessons from her clinics, horsemanship, balance, nutrition and fitness and how they apply to barrel racing.
I encourage you to check out these articles whether you subscribe to Barrel Horse News or not. There is a large database of past articles which make for a great reminder even if you have read them already.
11 time World Champion Charmayne James sharing her experience and sound advice is something barrel racers can’t afford to miss out on.
Here is a cool video with Charmayne talking about her Bridleless run with Scamper. It is a great example of what a great team they were right from the very beginning when Charmayne was only 16 years old.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I hope you don’t mind me emailing you but you are my daughter’s barrel racing idol. She looks up to you and therefore, I am seeking your help and/or advice. We have tried to attend two of your clinics when you come east but so far, have not been able to do so. My dilema is my daughter is currently barrel racing. Her horse has the knowledge and speed to take her far, but he was used for mounted shooting without the shoot. He ran the course and did not have to have pull up when used by the previous owner. We have him working the barrels really good, but he is not consistent due to when he hits the arena at times, he is all go and wants to pull or go wide on the barrel. We have tried several bits, including, a combination gag, a tom-thumb, a long shank snaffle, and the only bit she is able to somewhat control him with is a bit with a port but that also in not consistent. We have had to put a tie down on him with all of the bits. I am sorry to bother you with this question/concern, but we have the horse to take her on into competition, we just can’t get him consistent being we have not found the right bit for him. On the outside of the arena, he is calm and does not need a correction bit, but when he hits the arena he turns into an all go horse, at times lunging through the air and even twice over the barrel. Other times he hits his marks and one of his best times was a 17.41 and that was holding him back due to us not wanting him to go until we know he is ready. The next time out he can’t get down the arena without lunging through the air. He flexes so we have him soft, but that all goes away at times in the arena. We have had him for over a year and have held him back due to these issues, but I feel if we can get the right set up, they can move forward. His previous owner has told her to put a hackamore on him, but when he is in the arena, I want to be sure she has the tools to handle her horse and him not get away from her. He has never been ridden in a hackamore. Thank you and I do hope you have a answer or suggestion. Again thank you and I hope to hear from you or one of your staff. Kelly Dukes
Hi Kelly, this is Michelle, not Charmayne. I would suggest you seek the help of a professional trainer that can help you in person. Sounds like it could be complicated. Sorry to not be more help.