V
Vinny O'Hare
Guest
A Great Night Under the Lights
Saturday night’s CCOBRA race at Marana Heritage Arena brought out a big crowd and even bigger smiles. From peewees to open riders, everyone came ready to race under the Arizona sky — and this one didn’t disappoint. With the sun dipping behind the desert mountains and the arena lights coming to life, it was another unforgettable night of barrel racing.
Race Highlights + Standout Moments
The energy was high and the outfits were even higher on the fun scale. One peewee rider turned heads in a pink tutu with glittery matching boots — confidently hitting all three barrels like a pro. Later, a young rider arrived dressed as Captain America, simply because he wanted to. That kind of spirit is what makes the Southwest Barrels community so special.
The Binder of Awesome: A Hit With Riders
This race featured the debut of something new — The Southwest Barrels Binder of Awesome. Packed with free printed photos from previous events, the binder was placed out for riders to flip through and take home memories. The response was incredible. Riders and parents alike were amazed it was completely free, with many stopping by to say thanks.
Behind the Camera: A Peek at the Setup
Photographing this race was no small task. With two different arenas in use and three lighting conditions — bright sunlight for peewees, golden hour glow for youth riders, and full darkness for the open division — it was a night that tested both timing and creativity. From setup to teardown, it was a full team effort behind the scenes (even if that “team” is mostly just one guy with a camera and some stubborn strobes).
Check out the behind-the-scenes video on YouTube Shorts
Watch the Full Race Replay
Missed the action or want to relive your run? The full livestream is available now on YouTube:
Watch the CCOBRA May 3, 2025 Race Replay
What’s Next for Southwest Barrels
We’ll be back at it Tuesday morning and again Thursday night for two QCBRA races at the John Volken Academy Ranch in Gilbert. Morning light, covered arena, and a whole lot of fast turns — we can’t wait to see you there!
Continue reading...
Saturday night’s CCOBRA race at Marana Heritage Arena brought out a big crowd and even bigger smiles. From peewees to open riders, everyone came ready to race under the Arizona sky — and this one didn’t disappoint. With the sun dipping behind the desert mountains and the arena lights coming to life, it was another unforgettable night of barrel racing.
Race Highlights + Standout Moments
The energy was high and the outfits were even higher on the fun scale. One peewee rider turned heads in a pink tutu with glittery matching boots — confidently hitting all three barrels like a pro. Later, a young rider arrived dressed as Captain America, simply because he wanted to. That kind of spirit is what makes the Southwest Barrels community so special.
The Binder of Awesome: A Hit With Riders
This race featured the debut of something new — The Southwest Barrels Binder of Awesome. Packed with free printed photos from previous events, the binder was placed out for riders to flip through and take home memories. The response was incredible. Riders and parents alike were amazed it was completely free, with many stopping by to say thanks.
Behind the Camera: A Peek at the Setup
Photographing this race was no small task. With two different arenas in use and three lighting conditions — bright sunlight for peewees, golden hour glow for youth riders, and full darkness for the open division — it was a night that tested both timing and creativity. From setup to teardown, it was a full team effort behind the scenes (even if that “team” is mostly just one guy with a camera and some stubborn strobes).
Watch the Full Race Replay
Missed the action or want to relive your run? The full livestream is available now on YouTube:
What’s Next for Southwest Barrels
We’ll be back at it Tuesday morning and again Thursday night for two QCBRA races at the John Volken Academy Ranch in Gilbert. Morning light, covered arena, and a whole lot of fast turns — we can’t wait to see you there!
Continue reading...