WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Barrel Horse Racing competition brings in millions

Barrel Horse Racing competition brings in millions

By Julie Straw - bio | email

JACKSON, MS (WLBT) - The thrill of barrel racing draws 1,800 young riders from all across the U.S., Canada and Italy to the Mississippi State Fairgrounds for the National Barrel Horse Racing Youth Championship.

"(There is) a new horse coming out of the alley every 30 seconds.  It's just the excitement never stops and it's like the best family value you can get," said National Barrel Horse Association Executive Director Sherry Fulmer.

In its tenth year in Jackson, the event continues to grow bringing bucks into the capital city.

"The economic impact we figure is a little over $30 million," said Fulmer.  "I doubt there's any place you can go in Jackson you won't be sitting next to a cowboy family this weekend."

While many families come to watch the competition, the Mills family from Florence all participate in one way or the other.

"She grooms them, she washes them, she wraps their legs, she feeds them and we all kind of do something.  We all do, kind of like a race car team, we all try to do something," said mother Gale Mills.

This week 15 year old Victoria and ten year old Dallas will be competing.

"She knows as soon as the music starts its time to run," said Victoria of her horse Shocker.

The girls say half the fun is meeting other riders from different states.

"We talk to everybody.  We make a lot of friends up here, but once it gets down to business it's everyone for themselves," said Victoria.

That healthy spirit of competition only gets stronger between sisters.  "I try to beat her," said Dallas.  Win or lose, their biggest fans are each other.

"I'm real proud.  They got a good head on their shoulders.  They take losing with grace and winning with grace also," said father Joe Mills.

The competition runs through Saturday July 25th.  Tickets are $8 a day.