Versailles Republican Sports
June 29, 2006
Horsin' a-round can be
an enjoyable sport
Gary Franklin - Sports
Writer
The horseman sports of barrel, pole, and
flag racing are enjoyed by many age groups, as was evident
at a recent event.
The Ripley County Fairgrounds was the site of the event
on Saturday, June 17. The production included both NBHA
IN 04 (National Barrel Horse Association) and IN, OH, KY
IBRA IND (International Barrel Racing Association) Sanctioned
events.
The first encounter of this sport came as a result of a
friend speaking of her granddaughter, Paige Thomas, being
entered to participate in the Saturday contests. Paige is
the daughter of Roy and Jan Thomas and is a Jac-Cen-Del
High School junior. She filled me in on some of the particulars
of the sport, and introduced me to other local teens who
were contesting in the same sport, including Tyler Clemens
of Milan, and South Ripley senior, Jessica Taulbee.
Thomas began her pursuit of riding horses around the age
of 3. At 10, as a 4-H member, she became interested in racing
and began contesting and barrel racing. Thomas has rode
in the NBHA for the past 3 years, has been a NBHA World
Qualifier twice, and a NBHA Open World Qualifier once.
To qualify, points are earned by placing in the top five
in your division at barrel racing shows. Points accumulated
are totaled at year's end. The top five are then qualified
to attend the World Championships in either Jackson, Mississippi
(Youth) or Augusta, Georgia (Open), open being for all ages.
Paige has won many trophies and ribbons from contesting
her horse including a 4th place at the State Fair in 2003
and Ripley County High Point Contester in 2005.
Places Thomas has traveled to in in Indiana in this venture
include Henryville, Scottsburg, Columbus, Bedford, and Bloomington,
an d Milan. Other sites include Lewisburg Ohio, and Carrolton
and Bedford Kentucky. The nearest site to see the sport
is the Milan Lone Star Arena on Friday nights, as their
show includes barrel racing, and the Ripley County 4-H Fair.
When asked if her younger brother Riley was interested in
the sport, her response was that he preferred 4-wheels to
4-legs.
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GARY FRANKLIN PHOTO
Jessica Taulbee, on Dodger, circles the arena
with the stars and stripes waving as the National
Anthem is played to begin the main program of the
NBHA 04 & IN, OH, KY, IBRA Sanctioned show at
the Rip. Co. Fairgrounds
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GARY FRANKLIN PHOTO
Andrea Carroll, a Jac-Cen-Del Lady Eagle graduate,
though in college, continues to enjoy her horse and
the sport of barrel racing whenever the opportunity
avails itself to her.
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GARY FRANKLIN PHOTO
Matt Engleking, a Seymour graduate on Dusty makes
his turn on the second of three barrels.
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Barrel racing is Taulbee's sport of choice
Gary Franklin - Sports Writer
Jessica is a senior at South Ripley High
School, and was one of many I found willing to help introduce
me to the sport of barrel racing and to give some insight
as to why it is an important part of their lives.
Near the age of 3, she began riding with her parents and
got her own horse at 6. She joined 4-H six years ago or
so at age 11 so that she could barrel race, and about a
year later, joined the NBHA. Taulbee runs a lot of the local
events in Indiana and Kentucky, but her first big show was
at the Nationals in Illinois.
This year will mark her third year to go to the State Show
in Edinburgh, and she has qualified to go to the NBHA Youth
World Finals in Jackson, Mississippi 3 years now.
In 2004, on Dodger, she qualified to run in the Finals.
In 2005, she placed on her horse F C Lefcue to run in the
Finals among 1,026 riders in the Teen Division at Youth
World, of which only 133 riders qualified to go on to run
Finals. Jessica is looking forward to returning to Mississippi
again this year.
Among her winnings are belt buckles, horse tack, etc., but
the 'greatest gain for her efforts are the reality that
things worth doing take time and patience, and that she
believes that helps to make her a better person. "You
win some, you lose some, but as long as you and your horse
have a good run, that is what matters" according to
Taulbee.
When asked if she participated in any sports at school,
she acknowledged that she had mentioned that possibility,
but that her greatest desire was the sport of horsemanship
and barrel racing vs splinter catching.
Jessica also participates in contests on her horse named
Bubba.
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