History of ACBRA

From its very humble beginning in 1985 with 45 members the ACBRA is celebrating 25 years of competition with over 630 members at the end of the competition year in August 2008 and 375 members and counting for the 2009 year.  The ACBRA has seen many changes over the past 25 years but has stayed true to its beginnings by having membership based on the horse not on the rider.  The ACBRA started with horses joining in the appropriate dollar amount won category and competing against only horses in that category which is still how the ACBRA Finals are run currently but now most ACBRA races are held in the popular 4D format. Although the dollar amount won that describes the categories has change over the years  points are still awarded in the membership categories with awards for the top 10 points earners in each category at the end of the year. 

The ACBRA Finals has also undergone many changes.  The first finals was held at Del Rapini’s Ranch in Farmington, then moved to The Ceres Sports Arena for a few years, on to Circle N Stables in Tulare, then to Paso Robles, back to Ceres and then found a home for 15 years at the Reno Livestock Center in Reno Nevada.  The finals moved back to California in 2008 being held at the Salinas Sports Complex with great success!  The finals is being held at the Salinas Sports Complex again in 2009.  Another change for the finals has been added money, in 1985 there was $500 added money per category and in 2008 there was $6000 added per category.  Even the Junior Category (riders 14 and under) ran at $6000. 

All of this growth could not have been possible without the help of many dedicated members, their families, arena operators and of course the generous sponsors.  The ACBRA would like to invite its members that may have pictures of the first 5 finals to send a copy of them to the ACBRA to put together an album of history  that can be upload on the website for all to see. 

So to the past sponsors and members of the ACBRA we say “Thank  you so much” and we hope you are proud of were we are today.  To the current sponsors and members we say “let’s make this the best year ever!”  And to our future sponsors and member the ACBRA is looking forward to meeting you and having you in our “family” for many years to come!  Here’s to another 25 years of great barrel racing! 

More info to come!