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NBHA Announces 2009 Schedule

Millions on the line.
Still # 1 in Barrel Racing!

The National Barrel Horse Association, headquartered in Augusta, Georgia, is the largest barrel racing organization in the world. In 1992, the NBHA revolutionized the barrel racing industry by pioneering the divisional format, which allows riders of all skill levels a chance to win money and prizes in barrel racing competition. NBHA has more than 23,000 members of all ages across the United States and affiliates in ten countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, Panama, Spain and Switzerland . Mark your calendar and don’t miss out!

Who would have thought it would be an American from a small, small Georgia town to organize the first official barrel racing clinic and competition in China?

Scott Brown of Danielsville, near Athens, has been to China twice this year on behalf of the NBHA, including organizing that nation’s first barrel racing competition in October.

"It was fabulous," he said. Brown, just weeks earlier, made his first trip to China to organize the first professional barrel racing clinics held there. The participants were NBHA regional representatives in China.

The NBHA granted a franchise to China earlier this year. The sport of racing around three barrels in an arena is relatively new to that massive nation, even though it has a long history of horses.

Brown, who has been working with MCC’s National Barrel Horse Association almost from its beginnings, also has represented the NBHA on trips to Italy and Brazil this year. At his own Triple B Quarter Horses ranch, Brown joins his wife, Cindy, and sons, Logan and Luke, in staging an annual barrel racing event for breast cancer research and education. Brown lost his mother to cancer.

The NBHA now has more than 24,000 members in 12 countries on five continents.

American Idol finalist made NBHA lifetime member

Kristy Lee Cook, an Oregon native and finalist in the 2008 American Idol TV series competition, in November was made an honorary lifetime member of the Augusta, Ga.,-based National Barrel Horse Association.

Cook is seen above, center, holding her certificate of membership with WKXC-FM announcer Zack Taylor, from left, and NBHA headquarters employees Len Carter, Renee Jenkins, Sherry Fulmer (NBHA executive director), Rick Hardy, Tranis Harper and Cookey Caruso.

NBHA officials were touched that the Arista Nashville Records artist sold her favorite barrel racing horse to raise money to travel to Philadelphia to audition for the hit TV series.  She ended up in seventh place and toured this past summer with other American Idol Top 10 finalists.

At a recent show near Augusta, NBHA officials hooked up with Cook to surprise her with the honor live during a broadcast by WKXC-FM country music station.

The only other honorary member in the history of the organization is country music superstar Reba McEntire.