The Barrel Patch is up and running

RED HAWK RANCH, CLARESHOLM, AB

Welcome everyone, it’s Barb Poulsen here – the gal behind The Barrel Patch.

With Western Horse Review joining the world of blogging, I’m happy to be aboard. Though I’m by no means an expert on barrel racing, it’s the sport I love the most and one I’ve been involved in, in one way or another, for many years now.

Recent times have seen me immersed in writing about and promoting barrel racing to a much greater extent than competing. Not to say that I don’t own a horse. I own several in fact (name the age, size and colour and I can probably oblige… just kidding!) I’m actually composing my first barrel racing blog from the sunny south – Maricopa, Arizona to be exact. I’ve been fortunate to spend the last few winters in “Little Canada” south of Phoenix where the sun almost always shines, sandy conditions provide excellent footing for riding and fellow Canadian equine enthusiasts abound!

During the rest of the year, when we’re not at a rodeo or bull riding, my husband (rodeo announcer and author Dave Poulsen) and I spend our time on our little place back in the Porcupine Hills west of Claresholm, Alberta. A high school teacher in my ‘last life’, I now run a communications business – web/print design and writing – which, I’m thankful to say, I can run from anywhere. And I ride when I can, which will hopefully be more often in 2010! A transplanted Albertan (I was born and raised in Saskatchewan and still love the prairies), I’ve lived in southwestern Alberta for the last 15 years or so.

Please join me with your feedback, ideas and opinions as the blog progresses. I’m excited to be part of this endeavor and hope to share thoughts on barrel events, competitors, trainers, horses, clinicians and even a few recipes. If you have relevant, interesting news or photos, I’d love to hear about them… along with other tips/ideas that might translate into barrel racing blog fodder.

Spring’s almost here, rodeo season is underway and the first western Canadian barrel futurity will soon be upon us. Dave and I (along with the horses and dogs) will be heading north in ten days or so… (I’m getting lonesome for the Alberta foothills). Check back often to see what’s happening in The Barrel Patch!