Barrel racing has been a blessing for ranch
In the decade since the Runnin’ WJ Ranch started its annual Barrel Race scholarship fundraisers, participation has grown nearly 20 times larger.
Since the first race, held in New Boston, Texas. in June 2008, the number of participating barrel racers from across the country has grown from 125 that first year to nearly 2,000 as of this year said Sam Clem, the ranch’s executive director.
“The first year we held the race in New Boston, (hosted by New Boston resident Maryland Jones) then the year after we started holding them at the Four States Fairgrounds and they’ve been there ever since,” Clem said. “It’s been the best place because the fairgrounds can handle barrel racing. We now have barrel racers coming here each year from 13 different states.”
As to the event’s participation growth, Clem said it can be completely attributed to God.
“The whole thing started as a vision of God’s,” he said.
Clem said the whole idea for having a barrel racing scholarship fundraiser came 10 years ago from Texarkana, Ark., resident Patti Moore, herself a life-long, experienced barrel racer.
“One day Patti was moved by a vision that God put on her heart,” Clem said. ” The Lord put on her heart the desire to do something to help the kids at the ranch. That’s when we came up with the idea to put on barrel racing scholarship fundraiser for the kids. I told her we would partner with her and she has turned out to be very good at what she does best and that’s arranging these events.”
Clem added that since June of 2008 the annual fundraiser has expanded from being a one-day event to a four-day event with more then 100 volunteers working each day.
“This is a vision from God that put the equine world in touch with the kids and all we needed to do was just step aside and watch God work,” he said Moore agreed. “I felt it was a good way to introduce the Runnin’ JW Ranch to the barrel racing world,” she said.
Clem said God was especially present this year as He moved the hearts of local business owners to donate to the race.
Country singer Collin Raye performed a concert which also greatly helped the scholarship fundraising.
“This year so many people from the community helped out with the concert,” Clem said. “They donated ice, fries, catfish and other food. The city of Texarkana has been totally amazing with its accommodations for the event and the best thing of all is that it’s all about ministry and sharing the love of Jesus Christ.”
Clem added that the barrel racers who come to town can either stay in their trailers parked at the fairgrounds or they can leave their horses at the fairgrounds and stay at the many hotels on both sides of town.
Besides the increase in barrel racing participation, Clem said fundraising has leaped from $2,500 the first year to averaging $40,000 in recent years—much of which goes into providing matching funds for United Way contributions.