Circle Y Saddles Named Title Partner of the 2023 Circle Y Cowgirl Gathering Barrel Race
Circle Y Saddles of Yoakum, Texas, has been handcrafting quality saddles and tack since 1960. America’s leading saddle brand has maintained a strong passion and affiliation with barrel racing, through the support of barrel racing events and cowgirl legends such as Martha Josey, Sharon Camarillo, and Tammy Fischer. Circle Y Saddles is proud to be the title sponsor of the 4th Annual Circle Y Cowgirl Gathering Barrel Race to be held on May 14 at the Cowtown Coliseum in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards.
Now in its fourth year, The Cowgirl Gathering recently announced a date change from their regular November date to May, to be part of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Finals festivities held during the same timeframe. At this time in 2022, the National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) had held a large one-day race, named the Fort Worth Showcase, in conjunction with the PBR Finals.
To create a unique and high stakes barrel racing event, NBHA worked in collaboration with the American Paint Horse Association (APHA), along with the production assistance of Wild West Promotions, to create one coveted event.
“The National Barrel Horse Association is honored to welcome and collaborate with the American Paint Horse Association and Wild West Promotions with the desire to create an ultimate high-payout barrel race within the prestigious PBR World Finals event lineup,” said NBHA Director of Barrel Racing Bailey Nahrgang. “It made perfect sense, with the entire Cowgirl Gathering weekend shifting their dates for NBHA to offer the opportunity to combine two well-established barrel races and make one prominent event for the record books.”
The barrel race will be a part of a week featuring women competitors with across various marquee events — the 2023 Women’s Rodeo World Championship, the Circle Y Saddles Cowgirl Gathering Barrel Race presented by NBHA, APHA and WWP, and The Cowgirl Gathering event which includes an art show, fashion show, team roping and breakaway jackpot and Essence Exchange.
“Circle Y Saddles is pleased to honor the cowgirl spirit at the esteemed Cowgirl Gathering. A Circle Y saddle represents independence, determination, and hard work, which embodies the relentless nature of the cowgirl and all the demands she must balance regardless of age,” said Circle Y Saddles Senior Marketing Manager Dara Loudon. “We hope each awarded Circle Y saddle will serve the winner well and be passed down to future generations. Every saddle has a story to tell, and we’re thrilled to be a part of this one alongside these outstanding organizations.”
The Circle Y Saddles Barrel Race is a free-to-attend spectator event and will offer competitors an open barrel racing jackpot with more than $30,000 added to the purse being paid out in 5D format. Each division winner of the Open will be awarded a Circle Y Saddle certificate to custom build the saddle they desire. All ages and experience levels are welcome to participate.
“The Cowgirl Gathering has become a pinnacle event for the women of the Western world in the heart of cowgirl country,” Marked For Greatness Properties CEO Steven Hayes said. “We paid out more than $300,000 to cowgirls across three disciplines in 2022 and have created an expansive community of Western female leaders through our Essence Exchange platform. Moving to May with other groups who are actively elevating cowgirls, and the Western lifestyle is a significant enhancement for this event and the groups who support it.”
Learn more about the Circle Y Saddle Barrel Race at www.CowgirlGathering.com or at www.NBHA.com.
