What a pro!

Doug Leasor shows Katie Beeman how to use her leg on her horse during the Region Nine Experience in Jackson, Mississippi. (Journal photo)

AQHA Professional Horseman Doug Leasor watched every barrel racing, pole bending and stake race run during the Region Nine Experience in Jackson, Mississippi.

He took notes, and as each rider exited the arena, he offered advice that helped many riders improve their next runs.

After the Experience was over for the day, he conducted a barrel racing clinic to work on specific problems. He explained home exercises that could help each specific horse and made little jokes that will help exhibitors remember what they learned.

Vickie Beeman of Lucedale, Mississippi, watched as Doug worked with her daughter, Katie, and commented that the Professional’s Choice pad Katie had won on Calls Lucky Glitters was worth more than the entry fees for the day, but the clinic was what really made the 140-mile drive worthwhile.

I scribbled down some of Doug’s tips, hints and proverbs as quickly as I could. Here are a few of them:

• If you don’t get the first barrel right, you’ll override the others.

• Before your run, check out how the pattern is set up and adjust for that arena.

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• You don’t have to run in straight from the alley. In AQHA, it’s OK to circle and show your junior horse the arena and whether he’s going to be running barrels or poles.

• A good pole bending pattern is you and your horse dancing with the poles.

• Don’t pull your horse around the turn. The barrel is round, and he needs to turn around it and be round himself. Get your horse as round as you can.

• Let go of the outside rein. It’s not going anywhere. You can find it by slapping your other hand that’s still attached to the reins.

Larri Jo Starkey
The American Quarter Horse Journal

Check out photos from Day One of the Region Nine Experience. Click on the photos to see the captions. Some of the photos are available for purchase at the AQHA Photo Store.