The Duncan Banner

Local News

September 8, 2011

D&G Barrel Racing organizers gearing up for weekend

Toni Hopper The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — It could rain this weekend. If the history of the D&G Barrel Racing event is any indication, it will pour down.

At least, that’s what event co-founder Chuck Dunn said.

“It always rains and we’re hoping it’ll rain, we could use some,” Dunn said Wednesday.

Dunn, along with co-founder Phil Goostree, began D&G Barrel Productions about 17 years ago. Both their wives, Jackie Dunn and Carol Goosetree, barrel race. The Dunns are from Petrolia, Texas, and Goostrees are from Verden, near Chickasha.

Chuck Dunn wasn’t exact, but he thought this will be the sixth or seventh year for Duncan to host the event, which is open and free to the public. It is held at the Stephens County Fair & Expo Center.

“Duncan draws something like 200 contestants a day. That’s good for that show,” Dunn said. “Usually our shows run over three days, and draw in 600 to 1,000 contestants.”

Exact numbers for how many riders are coming in are still unknown, since contestants usually travel from Kansas, Texas, Colorado, Louisiana and other parts of Oklahoma. They can register right up until the first horse run.

“There’s no telling who will show up. We have three separate races,” Dunn noted. However, he added, contestant entries could be down because of the economy.

D&G Barrel is an event co-sanctioned by the Better Barrel Race (BBR) and WPRA. Contestants have a shot to earn a share of nearly $6,000 prize money. There are also gift trophy buckles for winners in each of the five divisions.

“It helps our contestants qualify for our finals in November, in Wichita Falls, Texas,” Dunn said. “We have all ages, from five and six year olds all the way up to 75 and 80 year-olds who race.”

Among contestants who are expected to compete are Dana and Allie Askins of Duncan, and P.J. Burger from the Pauls Valley area.

Dunn noted if someone is interested in barrel racing or getting their children started, this event is a good teaching platform, and it’s a good event for spectators.

“It’s a speed event,” Dunn explained. “There’s always a lot of fast action and it takes about a 15-second run to win it.”

For the younger children, it’s more about learning the skill of barrel racing and competing. He said the little ones are always fun to watch.

“You’ll have some people who like to come watch horse events, but mostly it’s the family of contestants. It’s free, there’s no charge to come watch.”

In addition to the competition, there will be vendors, who usually have everything from jewelry to western attire and tack.

The event begins at 5 p.m. Friday and lasts about four hours each performance. On Friday, the show starts at 10 a.m. and runs to about 2 p.m., and then on Sunday, from 9 a.m. to around 1 p.m.

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