Rolling out the barrel for Laois on a world stage

IT’S time to roll out the barrel for Laois on a world stage.

Two young local riders and a fellow competitor from Kildare are set to make the journey to Georgia, USA to compete in the World Barrel Racing Championships.

Cody LeCumbre (24) from Fossey, Timahoe, Hannah McGovern (16) from Vicarstown and Christopher Kelly (23) from Athy will travel to America this October for the prestigious event.

They will join over 2,500 competitors from around the globe battling for a share of the €630,000 prize fund.

A high-speed rodeo sport popular in North America, barrel racing involves riders guiding their horses as quickly as possible around three barrels, set in a cloverleaf pattern. While the sport remains relatively niche in Ireland, interest has been growing thanks to the popularity of TV shows such as Heartland and Yellowstone.

Cody’s dad Michael Lacumbre, who runs Fossey Mountain Springs Ranch near Timahoe with his wife Esther, has been involved with the sport for many years and is delighted for the group to have a chance at international level.

A real-life cowboy, Michael is so passionate about horses and particularly western riding that he turned his farm into a Wild West-style ranch with its own saloon, jailhouse and Appaloosa horses, welcoming visitors from all over the country and abroad.

Apart from barrel racing, the ranch takes part in other western disciplines such as reining, ranch riding, western dressage, western trail and western pleasure.

The local trio’s invitation to the World Barrel Racing Championships came after strong performances at national events caught the eye of an English trainer, with links to the US competition.

Michael said: “I don't care what they win or what they don't win. As long as they make a good attempt at their good runs and do their best. It’s a great achievement in itself just to get out there.

“It's brilliant that they get to ride at all and take part in it. It doesn't matter where they come or what they do after that.” The riders will hire horses in the US, a challenge in itself given that they will have limited time to bond with the animals before competing against riders who have trained with their horses for years.

However, Michael says that talent and determination can bridge the gap, noting that Cody placed second at the World Championships in Oklahoma a few years ago on a borrowed horse.

At the moment, Cody is doing times of 16.4 seconds on the course. If he manages to replicate that at the championships in Georgia, he will be well on his way to winning a prize.

Michael said: “They’re hungry. It’s the hunger that drives them.” 

The team is currently fundraising to cover travel, training, horse hire costs and some uniforms, with a raffle already underway and planned events that include a barn dance and a large trail ride. Details are available on the Fossey Mountain Springs Ranch Facebook page. They are also seeking support from Horse Sport Ireland, the national governing body for equestrian sport.

For Michael, the trip is about more than just competition. It’s about building an obscure sport in Ireland and sharing his passion for it with the rest of the country.

He said: “What it’s about at the end of the day is representing your country. That's all anyone ever wanted to do in regards to sports. It’s about putting Ireland on the map.”