International Riders Competing in NBHA World Championships Rent Horses
Cristen Drummond
Story Created:
Oct 30, 2012 at 7:57 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Oct 30, 2012 at 11:39 PM EDT
Some international riders at the 20th National Barrel Horse Association Open/Senior World Championships are facing a few challenges in regards to competing on the large stage.
Some International riders including seven Australians are renting horses for the week long competition.
"It's really hard,” Australian NBHA rider Katrina Pugsley said. “It puts the pressure on not knowing the horses (and) we only have a couple days to get used to them."
Pugsley said she and her fellow countrymen/women enjoy the horse they're riding but notice some differences.
"They're definitely a lot faster and trained very well, compared to the horses back home," Pugsley said.
Australian NBHA rider, Johnnie O’Brien, who won the Over 21, Division 4 competition on Sunday said he notice a difference in size.
"I'm used to a little horse at home this one is pretty big for me,” O’Brien said. “They take a bit to get used to."
Not only are Australians adjusting to a new horse, they said the stage is much larger from what they're accustomed to.
"The size of the arenas and the atmosphere that they have at the US Worlds is just amazing,” Pugsley said. “It’s something we've never had at home with the size of our arenas and the amount of riders that we have."
However, these few challenges don’t seem to bother O’Brien who’s the first Australian to win a division.
"I never thought I would be doing this in my lifetime but it is really great."
On Friday, there will be a international race. One rider from each country will compete for the fastest barrel time. The competition will continue until November 3.
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