AQHA: Barrel Racing Industry Alliance Updates

AQHA Publicity

Members of the Barrel Racing Industry Alliance met on January 16 in Oklahoma City to continue their commitment to advancing the sport of barrel racing. With record payouts and entry numbers, 2021 was no exception to the growth barrel racing has seen over the past decade.

BRIA moved on several initiatives designed to support registered American Quarter Horses and registered American Paint Horses competing in barrel racing. To better promote and recognize the accomplishments of these two breeds of horses, plans are being developed for a black-type pedigree standard for barrel racing horses and the idea of a graded stakes system for barrel racing events.

To support barrel racing producers, BRIA voted to adopt a standard template to follow for submitting barrel racing results to the QData and Equi-Stat databases. The template simplifies the process of submitting results, as it clearly defines the data needed to be recorded in the database. This is data that producers are already capturing and reporting in their own results. BRIA members will use this template when submitting their own events’ results and will encourage all other producers to implement the practice of using the template and submitting results, as well so their competitors’ horses will receive the recognition they’ve earned.

“BRIA is committed to ensuring the money and awards earned by barrel racing horses is accurately recorded,” said Butch Wise, BRIA chairman and AQHA past president. “The initiatives developed by BRIA will help ensure the horses competing in barrel racing are recognized for their true value.”

Throughout 2021, several side pots were available at various races to reward the use of registered names of American Quarter Horses when entering a barrel race. During the meeting, BRIA discussed the success of the side pots and moved to continue the side pot program. A list of participating events will be published soon.

A BRIA website will soon go live with additional information about BRIA, how to get involved and educational resources for both producers and barrel racers.

BRIA was formed in 2021 by a group of barrel racing industry leaders and influencers with a mission to develop and implement initiatives and programs that will foster continued progress and growth for the sport of barrel racing. Charter members of BRIA are the American Quarter Horse Association, Barrel Futurities of America, Better Barrel Races, Breeder’s Challenge, Future Fortunes, National Barrel Horse Association, West Coast Barrel Racing Association, Pink Buckle/Ruby Buckle and Women’s Pro Rodeo Association. BRIA recently welcomed the American Paint Horse Association as a member.

For more information, contact BRIA@aqha.org.

AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHA on Twitter and visit www.aqha.com/news.