Update 10/9/12 Carly Dolan and her Thoroughbred horse Catch Me If U Can are the new 2012 IBRA National Finals 4-D Champions. My daughter Carly Dolan is running her three horses in the Open Division of the International Barrel Racing Association (IBRA) National Finals in Louisville’s Freedom Hall at the Kentucky Exposition Center this week. There are close to 1500 competitors participating throughout this event. The IBRA National Finals will be going on through October 6.
Carly moved her horses in the horse barns at Freedom Hall on Monday, October 1, and has taken some photos of what has been going on since Monday. Louisville.com shares them with you. You can follow along with the action by going to the webcast link on the home page of the IBRA website here.
Carly Dolan and her Thoroughbred Catch Me If U Can are the new 2012 IBRA National Finals 4-D Champions. They are pictured with their winnings: Saddle, Check, Embroidered Jacket
Competitor Carly Dolan with her barrel horse Super Bee in the covered walkway that competitors take from the horse barns to Freedom Hall's arena.
Competitors take advantage of the open riding Tuesday morning in Freedom Hall's arena prior to the beginning of the Sponsors/Directors Race 4-D.
Competitors await their turn in the alley way of the arena during day one of the Open Division 4-D competition on Wednesday.
Competitor Kelly Carr runs her horse around barrel number two during Wednesday's Open Division 4-D. The Open Division continues on Thursday with the second go around.
A competitior shoots off a barrel headed to the next one.
Large portraits of last year's IBRA National Finals competitors adorn columns in the hallway of Freedom Hall.
A competitior runs home after navigating the clover leaf pattern around three barrels.
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Competitiors run home after navigating tight turns around three barrels in a clover leaf pattern at high speed with the goal of not knocking them down.
Those big green John Deere tractors hard at work during one of the "Big Drags" where they give the arena footing a thorough work up after every 100 horses run.
Carly visits with one of her horses in the horse barn after the day's competition.
Photos: Courtesy of Carly Dolan & Sandy Dolan
