13th annual barrel race draws record crowd
TEXARKANA, Ark. — The 13th annual Runnin’ WJ Benefit Barrel Race is proving that the fundraising participation effort keeps barreling higher and higher at the Four States Fairgrounds.
This year’s fundraising event, which started Thursday, attracted its largest participation number to date, with an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 barrel racers from 20 states participating, said Sam Clem, executive director of Runnin’ WJ Ranch Therapeutic Riding Ranch.
“The Four States is still large enough for us, but we’re still growing,” Clem said.
Clem added that the participation growth rate has been —and continues to be — phenomenal, especially when considering the fact that the event’s first year started with just 120 participants.
Each year since 2008, these talented horse riders pay a registration fee that goes directly to supporting a scholarship fund for the Runnin’ WJ Ranch. The ranch itself continues to provide therapeutic horse riding
for special needs children and adults — including children from six area school districts.
“We now have these ladies from 20 states who will drive for as long as 18 hours just to get here,” Clem said. “They do this because this gives them identity and purpose in helping these kids. This is truly a blessing from God that these ladies have received in their hearts and it gives them a whole new meaning for life.”
The event, which continues today, attracts women horse riders who range in age from at least 10 years old all the way up to grandmothers — one of which is now 82.
“When these ladies get here, we try to make every one of them feel like this is their home and we are their family,” Clem said. “We use horse riding as a way to share the Gospel. I’m always impressed by the hearts that these ladies have when it comes to helping the kids. They have an incredible willingness to want to help these kids because this is a ministry.”
Clem credits local horse enthusiast Patti Moore, producer of the fundraiser, for getting the entire effort started 13 years ago.
“Patti is a lover of barrel racing and she’s the one that made this happen for us, and what a blessing this has been ever since,” Clem said.