Mission Statement

THE MARITIME BARREL RACING ASSOCIATION (MBRA) HAS BEEN FORMED TO PROMOTE WESTERN SPEED EVENTS, PARTICULARLY BARREL RACING, THROUGHOUT THE MARITIMES.

Action Plan

TO THIS END, WE WILL SEEK TO IMPROVE THE SKILLS AND ABILITIES OF SPEED EVENT COMPETITORS, BY PROVIDING FOR EVENTS WITH ADEQUATE PRIZE MONEY, ORGANIZING OR ENDORSING CLINCIS BY COMPETENT INSTRUCTORS AND ENCOURAGING THE BREEDING AND TRAINING OF HORSES SPECIFICALLY FOR SPEED EVENTS.  WE WILL STRIVE TO OBTAIN SPONSORSHIP WHENEVER POSSIBLE, AS THIS WILL STRENGTHEN AND GIVE EXPOSURE TO OUR SPORT. 

History

THE MBRA, FIRST KNOW AS THE MARITIME GYMKHANA ASSOCIATION, WAS FORMED IN 1985 BY A SMALL GROUP OF HORSEMEN WHO WISHED TO ORGAINZE AND PROMOTE THEIR SPORT.  SINCE THEIR HUMBLE START THEY HAVE GROWN FROM 12 TO 120+ MEMBERS.

THE MBRA PROVIDES SPEED EVENTS WHERE YOUTH, BEGINNER AND NOVICE RIDERS CAN COMPETE ALONG SIDE WORLD CHAMPIONS.

OUR ENTHUSIASM IS CATCHING.  IF YOU LOVE SPEED, EXCITEMENT AND HORSES WE WELCOME YOU TO GET INVOLVED IN THE MBRA.

www.maritimebarrelracing.com

Past Presidents

1985                                Gerald Dixon

1986-1990       Ed Grant

1991-1992       Raymond Harrison

1993-1994       Ed Grant

1995-1996       Ron MacDonald

1997-1998       John McAssey

1999                Ed Grant

2000-2001       Chris MacLean

2002-2003       Craig Smith

2004-2005       Joan Grant

2005-2006       Jean Dugas

2007-Present      Scott MacLean

Objective

THE MBRA IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PROMOTING WESTERN SPEED EVENTS, PARTICULARLY BARREL RACING, THROUGHOUT THE MARITIMES.

WE SEEK TO IMPROVE THE SKILL AND ABILITY OF SPEED EVENT COMPETITIONS BY PROVIDING EVENTS WITH ADEQUATE PRIZE MONEY, BY ORGANIZING CLINICS WITH EXPERT INSTRUCTORS AND ENCOURAGING BREEDING AND TRAINING HORSES SPECIFICALLY FOR SPEED EVENTS.

Partnerships

2007 MARKS THE 15^th YEAR THE ATLANTIC DODGE DEALERS HAVE SPONSORED THE MARITIME BARREL RACING ASSOCIATION.

THROUGH THEIR GENEROUS SPONSORSHIP THE MBRA CAN RECOGNIZE THEIR OBJECTIVES, AND ARE PROUD TO HAVE VARIOUS MBRA MEMBERS COMPETITING ON THE "WORLD CHAMPION" LEVEL.

IN PARTICULAR WE WOULD LIKE TO SALUTE THE FOLLOWING DEALERS FOR THEIR HOMETOWN SUPPORT:

SAUNDER'S DODGE  - BRIDGEWATER, N.S.

RELIABLE MOTORS - CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I.

SCOTIA CHRYSLER - SYDNEY, N.S.

BLAIKIES DODGE CHRYSLER - TRURO, N.S.

MACDONALD CHRYSLER - ANTIGONISH, N.S.

POTHIER MOTORS - FALMOUTH, N.S.

HALIFAX CHRYSLER DODGE - HALIFAX, N.S.

DARTMOUTH DODGE CHRYSLER - DARTMOUTH, N.S.

STEELE CHRYSLER PLYMOUTH - HALIFAX, N.S.

Barrel Racing History

BARREL RACING IS A TIMED RODEO EVENT, WHERE THE FASTEST TIME IS WHAT MATTERS MOST.  COWGIRLS AND COWBOYS COMPETE IN THE ARENA AGAINST EACH OTHER AND THE CLOCK.

BARREL RACING IS ABOUT COOPERATION BETWEEN HORSE AND RIDER.  BECAUSE OF THE COMPETITION AND MONEY INVOLVED, FINDING A GOOD HORSE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE COMPETITORS.  A TOP OF THE LINE BARREL HORSE CAN COST UP TO $50,000.00

FOR THE BARREL RACING EVENT, THE ARENA IS CLEARED AND THREE BARRELS ARE SET UP AT DIFFERENT MARKED LOCATIONS.  THE RIDERS THEN ENTER THE ARENA AT A FULL SPEED, QUICKLY ROUNDING EACH BARREL IN A CLOVERLEAF PATTERN AND THEN EXITING WHERE THEY ENTERED.  A TIMER IS USED REGISTERING DOWN TO T A HUNDREDTH OF A SECOND.

SPEED IS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT IN THIS EVENT.  THE RIDERS STEER THEIR HORSE AS CLOSE AS THEY CAN TO THE BARRELS TRYING TO SHAVE PRECIOUS SECONDS OFF THE CLOCKS.  FOR EACH BARREL THEY KNOCK OVER A FIVE SECOND PENALTY IS ASSESSED TO THEIR TOTAL TIME.  LEAVING THE BARRELS STANDING AND RIPPING THROUGH THE COURSE IS EVERY BARREL RACERS GOAL.