Video: Mississippi Horse Park Host 4th Annual Lucky Dog Barrel Race

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STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Horse lovers came out this weekend to support the 4th Annual Lucky Dog Barrel Race in Starkville.

For the second time this year, horse stalls at the Mississippi Horse Park are sold out for a racing event. Starkville has become a popular spot for the barrel races.

“Love this facility, it’s always clean, it’s well run, the staff is great to get along with. It’s a beautiful time of the year. It’s just great weekend, pulls people out. Most people I think just love our shows,” says Chuck Bari, with Lucky Dog Productions.

The three-day event is free and open to the public. Contestants of all ages and riding ability can compete. Young riders like Erin Siems say competing in the race is exhilarating like any other sport.

“Before you go in, you get very nervous and you go out there and try hard. After it’s over, you’re out of breath,” says 17 year-old Erin Siems, of Arkansas who loves horses and barrel racing.

Contestants and supporters come from all over the country for the barrel races. Angela Festervan, from Benton, Louisiana, won Saturday night’s competition. She says barrel racing is her passion.

“It gets in your blood you can’t put it down. It’s an addiction. It’s a challenge. It’s a constant challenge. It never gets easy. So you never get complacent in this sport,” says Festervan.

Participants can win $10,000 in cash plus prizes.

The event is sanctioned by the Better Barrel Races Association and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.