Southern Extreme Barrel Racing Association

by Helen Peppe
Barrel racing and bull riding have complemented each other through rodeo’s extensive and exciting history. Open barrel racing events have always been part of the bull riding schedule to entertain the spectators while livestock is moved. It only made sense for Southern Extreme Bull Riding Association (SEBRA) to officially add ladies barrel racing, Southern Extreme Barrel Racing Association (SEBRA) so that cowgirls could ride for points and year end awards: saddles, belt buckles, embroidered western jackets, and cash prizes. Tom Smith, director of SEBRA says, “We want to be able to offer the same type of awards to our cowgirls without creating any additional costs and burdens on our producers. Having barrel racers as a part of SEBRA makes a more rounded event and spectators like it.”

Amelia Bodick and Possum at the SEBRA Finals.Based out of North Carolina, the Southern Extreme Bull Riding Association, established in 1994, is one of the longest running associations of its kind. SEBRA has had, and continues to have as members, outstanding and talented cowboys who have held every level of rodeo championship title. Tom who rode bucking horses himself in his younger days is a true cowboy in spirit and passion. Similar to many cowboys, Tom’s actual career is not rodeo related. He is a construction project manager for his day job, traveling all over the country. His innate business sense and management skills aid significantly in his job as director of SEBRA which he took on in 2005. Tom says, “Working with SEBRA allows me to continue to be a part of rodeo. I’ve applied what I’ve learned in the business world to the rodeo world and it is working. He adds, “We are the fastest growing association in the United States. Three years ago we had 40 events and 40 members. Today we have 225 events and 400 members.”

Membership numbers will continue to increase with the addition of Southern Extreme Barrel Racing to the bull riding association. Riding skillfully with a fierce drive to execute complicated barrel patterns in as little time as possible, cowgirls have striven for inclusion in SEBRA for a long time, so Tom, with the help of several exceptional cowgirls, Jennifer Dagenhart, and advisors Beth Kidd and Chan Canter, made it happen. Women wanted the opportunity to compete for prizes on equal footing with the men, opening the organization up to unlimited membership, sponsorship, and event possibilities. Tom says, “Introducing cowgirls to SEBRA helps to increase our exposure and plays a bigger part in broadening the public’s knowledge of Western heritage.”

Lindy Janick and Cheyenne at the SEBRA finals.Jennifer, with 24 years experience in the rodeo industry as a secretary, board member, and contestant, is the director of Southern Extreme Barrel Racing. Besides keeping track of points, obtaining sponsors and year end awards, and mailing out memberships, she organizes charity events such as Cowgirls with a Cause - Debbie Burgess Memorial Fund, named after Debbie Burgess, a break away roper and barrel racer who passed away from breast cancer. Other charity events include Pretty in Pink, Roping for a Cause, and SEBRA’s Bull Chip Bingo for Breast Cancer Awareness. There are no administrative costs, allowing all proceeds from these events to benefit uninsured cancer patients, assisting with medical and private expenses.
Jennifer says that besides the advantages of raising more money for charity, increased membership, wider sponsorship, and prize opportunities that Ladies Barrel Racing brings to SEBRA there is the additional benefit of convenience for the bull riders themselves. “A lot of girls are married to bull riders or dating bull riders or just want to be around the bull riders. Bull riders can now go to the same events with their wives and girlfriends without traveling in different directions to different events. It makes sense for a husband and wife to travel together to events.” And the women now have the opportunity to demonstrate their talent with horses to an appreciative public. Jennifer says, “Having the beautiful cowgirls and the horses enhances the bull riding events and shows the toughness of the cowgirls, giving people the opportunity to see what women are capable of.”

For a list of upcoming barrel racing events, go to www.SEBRARUN.com and for bull riding information go to www.SEBRANOW.com.