For the past three weekends, the town of Marshall, Texas has been flooded with barrel racers and their equine partners all traveling to one iconic location. The Josey Ranch, home of World Champion Martha Josey.
For the last 55 years, the Josey Ranch has hosted the longest-running rodeo school in the world, teaching generations of students in the rodeo arena. This year the Josey Ranch continues to host barrel racing clinics and the annual Josey Reunion and Josey Jr World barrel races.
The last three weekends the Josey Ranch has hosted three different weekend barrel racing clinics. The Spring I, Easter, and Spring II, clinics brought a total of 236 students and their families to the Josey Ranch traveling from a total of 20 different states including five students from Alaska. During their stay at the Josey Ranch students visited the town of Marshall enjoying the east Texas city, restaurants, shopping, and gorgeous sunsets.
Martha with students from Alaska.
“I love teaching,” explained World Champion Barrel Racer Martha. “We have taught hundreds of thousands of barrel racers since our first rodeo school in 1967, and each student has become part of the Josey Family. To see our clinics filled with so many students returning and new students making their first trip to the Josey Ranch is amazing. Our goal is to make each year better than the last and I truly believe this is going to be the biggest year yet.”
During these clinics, students spent the weekend on horses in the three Josey arenas, along with classes in the Trophy Room, and The Western Store. Martha Josey and her team of highly qualified barrel racing instructors mentored students on the pattern, working on horsemanship, consistency in slow work, and confidence in their barrel racing while also teaching about proper barrel horse care, equipment, and video review.
On the final days of the clinics, riders saw a great improvement in their barrel racing during their final runs. The Spring I Clinic Champion was McKenzie Baumgartle from Sprocket, TX followed by Brittan Hill from Cinnamon TX claiming the Easter Clinic Championship. Returning student Brynn Hinton claimed Spring II Clinic Championship.
Brynn Hinton at the Spring II Clinic.
The Josey Ranch is now in preparation for the 30th Annual Josey Reunion Barrel Race for former students May 4th – 6th, and 43rd Annual Josey Jr World Barrel Race for barrel racers 20 years old and under May 12th – 14th. These races bring hundreds of contestants from across the county to compete for an incredible payout and prizes.
“The Reunion and Jr World are great events for barrel racers to compete for great added money and prizes. They are also a wonderful opportunity for a family outing” said Martha’s nephew and Josey instructor Gary Arthur. “The Josey Ranch is always open to the public and we welcome the community of Marshall to come out and watch these talented athletes compete while enjoying the Ranch.”
You can find full results for each clinic HERE