It is with great sadness to inform everyone that we have decided to end Battle in the Saddle after 10 years, but very excited about our next Fundraising Events!
When we started this 10 years ago, we had kids that ran. We came up with Battle in the Saddle to raise money for Safe Harbor as well as spend time with our family and friends. We made some of the best friends you could ask for at the barrel races. We were able to raise almost $1 million over the past 10 years between donations and money raised. Because of you, the barrel racers that participated in these events, we were able to put in Computer Labs, Game Rooms, New Mattresses, and tons of other things.
We are so very grateful to each of you that participated and gave to Safe Harbor. We are leaving our website and Facebook page up so you can still look back at the memories and you never know, we may decide sometime to race again!
We want to thank Jamie White and the Agri-Center as well as the other arenas for everything they did to help make our events run so well. As for now, we are focusing on bringing our Golf Tournaments back. Its not quite as much work as putting on a barrel race and we are not as young as we used to be lol. Our past Golf Events were amazing and so we are going to focus on those for awhile. You can still visit our websites to donate or come play in our Golf Tournaments.
We will truly miss this race and seeing all of you! We wish you well and if there is anything any of us can do for you, please let us Know. Happy Trails and God Bless each of you!
God Bless
Kenny & Brad
When we started this 10 years ago, we had kids that ran. We came up with Battle in the Saddle to raise money for Safe Harbor as well as spend time with our family and friends. We made some of the best friends you could ask for at the barrel races. We were able to raise almost $1 million over the past 10 years between donations and money raised. Because of you, the barrel racers that participated in these events, we were able to put in Computer Labs, Game Rooms, New Mattresses, and tons of other things.
We are so very grateful to each of you that participated and gave to Safe Harbor. We are leaving our website and Facebook page up so you can still look back at the memories and you never know, we may decide sometime to race again!
We want to thank Jamie White and the Agri-Center as well as the other arenas for everything they did to help make our events run so well. As for now, we are focusing on bringing our Golf Tournaments back. Its not quite as much work as putting on a barrel race and we are not as young as we used to be lol. Our past Golf Events were amazing and so we are going to focus on those for awhile. You can still visit our websites to donate or come play in our Golf Tournaments.
We will truly miss this race and seeing all of you! We wish you well and if there is anything any of us can do for you, please let us Know. Happy Trails and God Bless each of you!
God Bless
Kenny & Brad
How does Battle in the Saddle help?
Battle in the Saddle 2023 is in the books. We want to thank all of you who supported the show, whether you were a sponsor, a contestant, or a spectator. There were 866 runs that came down the alley over the weekend and a total payout of $78,710.46 including awards.
Our Open 1D Average Winner for the weekend was Billy Hatzman on Honor Bounds Ghost. The pair took home $4,476 for the weekend. Billy never disappoints on keeping us all on our toes when he makes a run!
Thank you to our sponsors, without them the show would not be possible – Runyon Industries, Stone Quarter Horses & Appaloosas, Tennessee Tractor – Somerville, TN, Tractor Supply Company, Mid TN Lumber, IGA – Insurance Group America, Nationwide Insurance, David & Lynn Elkins, Sun Electric Company, JHA Saddle & Tack, Netgain Mobile Diagnostics, Cleghern’s Piggly Wiggly, Paul Bailey, Who Dat Processing, Elk Creek Missionary Baptist Church, Jones Plastic, Jim & Sue Oaks, Kyle & Jamie Bennett, KT Produce, Hampton Inn Gatlinburg, Novacopy, Wasco, Brad & Rachel Bowie.
Thank you to the vendors who brought some really great products & services to BITS 2023! – VanBern Woodworks, Burns Saddlery, Sherri Lee’s Western Boutique, The Cup Shack, Queen C Customs, Shallow Creek Bits, ENE Magnawave.
Thank you JHA Saddle & Tack for the donation of the 5 Star Pad and Hampton Inn Gatlinburg for the 2 night stay that we were able to raffle off to help raise money for Safe Harbor. Mrs. G once again made her delicious cakes for the cake auction.
Thank you Brent Puhl for the wonderful pictures & the webcast you provide free of charge. Many long hours go into capturing those great shots.
We want to thank our staff for the work they poured into this show.
• Office staff – Jan, Cindy, & Deborah
• Announcers – Kenny & Wesley
• Time Keepers – Emma, Sabrina, Madison, Lori, & Vickie
• Gate Crew – too many to mention! The crew consisted of many of our staff from across Tennessee & Arkansas.
• Barn Manager – Rodney
• Barrel Setters – Clients from Safe Harbor
• Our tractor drivers are some of the best in the business. The ground was consistent and fast all weekend. Thank you Travis, JJ, John & Maddox!
Thank you to the Agricenter Showplace Arena for once again hosting Battle in the Saddle.
We hope you all made great memories doing what you love to do. We will see you down the road!
Our Open 1D Average Winner for the weekend was Billy Hatzman on Honor Bounds Ghost. The pair took home $4,476 for the weekend. Billy never disappoints on keeping us all on our toes when he makes a run!
Thank you to our sponsors, without them the show would not be possible – Runyon Industries, Stone Quarter Horses & Appaloosas, Tennessee Tractor – Somerville, TN, Tractor Supply Company, Mid TN Lumber, IGA – Insurance Group America, Nationwide Insurance, David & Lynn Elkins, Sun Electric Company, JHA Saddle & Tack, Netgain Mobile Diagnostics, Cleghern’s Piggly Wiggly, Paul Bailey, Who Dat Processing, Elk Creek Missionary Baptist Church, Jones Plastic, Jim & Sue Oaks, Kyle & Jamie Bennett, KT Produce, Hampton Inn Gatlinburg, Novacopy, Wasco, Brad & Rachel Bowie.
Thank you to the vendors who brought some really great products & services to BITS 2023! – VanBern Woodworks, Burns Saddlery, Sherri Lee’s Western Boutique, The Cup Shack, Queen C Customs, Shallow Creek Bits, ENE Magnawave.
Thank you JHA Saddle & Tack for the donation of the 5 Star Pad and Hampton Inn Gatlinburg for the 2 night stay that we were able to raffle off to help raise money for Safe Harbor. Mrs. G once again made her delicious cakes for the cake auction.
Thank you Brent Puhl for the wonderful pictures & the webcast you provide free of charge. Many long hours go into capturing those great shots.
We want to thank our staff for the work they poured into this show.
• Office staff – Jan, Cindy, & Deborah
• Announcers – Kenny & Wesley
• Time Keepers – Emma, Sabrina, Madison, Lori, & Vickie
• Gate Crew – too many to mention! The crew consisted of many of our staff from across Tennessee & Arkansas.
• Barn Manager – Rodney
• Barrel Setters – Clients from Safe Harbor
• Our tractor drivers are some of the best in the business. The ground was consistent and fast all weekend. Thank you Travis, JJ, John & Maddox!
Thank you to the Agricenter Showplace Arena for once again hosting Battle in the Saddle.
We hope you all made great memories doing what you love to do. We will see you down the road!
Battle in the Saddle 2022… what a weekend! Thank you to all contestants and sponsors. You helped us to raise $37,710.21!!!
We want to thank every one of you who came out to support Safe Harbor & Battle in the Saddle. We had another amazing year, despite the weather not wanting to cooperate with us.
New this year was two days of awesome pole bending competition. We were able to watch top notch competitors and their horses turn in blazing fast times. We had a total of 144 runs over the two days and paid out $7,104. Congratulations to our Average Winners; 1D – Josh Morton, 2D – Jaelyn Cooper, & 3D Amanda Ervin. We plan to have Pole Bending back for 2023 and have some really cool things in the works for next year as well!
Our Young Guns competition was nothing short of amazing. Seeing these kids giving it all they have is nothing less than impressive. Friday night Darcy Dement set the pace in the Young Guns class which rolled over into the Open. Her and her horse, Hel on Socks, ended up winning 2nd in the Open with a 14.825. Saturday and Sunday’s Young Guns winner, Kanely Cooper, followed in Darcy’s footsteps winning the Young Guns each day and then placing 2nd in the Open both days as well. It is safe to say that these kids are definitely “gunning” for the first when they enter into the arena.
Young Guns Average winners were 1D - Kanely Cooper, 2D – Madelyn Gregory, 3D – Sara Bryn Chambers.
Open Barrels had a total of 971 entries even with the not-so-great weather we were handed. Friday night’s win went to Darby Toole on Spit N Fire with a 14.758. Saturday’s round win went to the one and only, Billy Hatzman on Honor Bounds Ghost. Sunday Sierra Waldrep & Lordy Hez Dashin clinched the win being the last runner of the weekend. They ran a 14.443 to change things up for everyone. Goes to prove that it all comes down to that final horse.
Open Average winners were 1D – Kanely Cooper on Red Native Dunit, 2D – Denise Evans on Famous Rolling Stone, 3D – Peggy Pulley on Gunner and 4D – Tylee Tummins on Jessie.
Total Payout for BITS 2022 was $81,233.50 plus awards. Total Entries – 1,745 (Young Guns, Open, Sidepots, Poles)
We cannot thank our sponsors enough for all they do for Battle in the Saddle. Without them our shows would not continue to happen. If you have a chance to thank them, please do…
D&S Builders, Tennessee Tractor, LLC (Somerville, TN), IGA Insurance, Nationwide Insurance, Tractor Supply, The Drag Queen Arena Drag – Randy Price, Jim & Sue Oaks, Paul Bailey, KT Produce, Netgain, Donald Roberts, Maxine & Bill Shirk, OakTenn, WASCO, Sun Electric, Barry & Maria Jenkins, David & Lynn Elkins, Kyle & Jamie Bennett, Benjamin & Jennifer Woodby, Linda & James Williams, Salon OC, Janice & Jerry Clark, Church Weber, Shawn Gallant, and the Mitchell Family.
To our ground crew who are some of the best in the business, THANK YOU! Thank you for keeping the ground safe and consistent all weekend. You all put so much care into making sure we have the best footing possible, and the times turned in prove that to be true. Travis Childress, John Osborne, Maddox Pinner, & Rodney Ervin thank you for the long hours this past weekend.
Thank you to Brent Puhl for the countless hours behind the camera and for having the webcast for everyone to watch. Please support our photographer and be sure to purchase your favorite pictures from this weekend!
To all of our vendors thank you for being with us. If you weren’t able to snag up some good deals this weekend, be sure to catch up with all of them on Facebook. There was something for everyone there and we hope to have all of you back next year!
Thank you to JHA Saddle & Tack for once again providing a 5 Star Pad for our raffle! Congrats to the winner as well.
To the Agricenter Showplace Staff we thank you for letting us use your facility once again. Thank you for all the help you provide to our show staff and competitors.
Tennessee Tractor where do we even begin! With the world we are living in currently finding tractors can be a challenge, but you all saved the day by having 3 John Deere’s there for our use. Just as the show couldn’t run without sponsors, it definitely couldn’t go on without tractors. If anyone is in the market for a new tractor be sure to give Tennessee Tractor in Somerville, TN a shot at helping you find what you are looking for.
Thank you Randy Price with Drag Queen Arena Drags for the use of your equipment. If you are in the market for a new arena drag visit www.drdrags.com to see which model would be best for you!
Thank you as well to Ralph Feathers for the use of your arena drags.
Thank you to all who donated a cake for the cake auction and to those who purchased one. Those were some delicious goodies to have to make things even sweeter at the barrel race.
To our show staff thank you, thank you for the long hours and the work before and after the show that no one else sees. It’s not an easy job but we are so thankful that you work so hard to make our show the best it can be.
Continue to keep the Osborne Family in your prayers as they have found their mare. God had different plans for the gorgeous yellow mare and we pray they find comfort in the days ahead.
2023 will be the 10-year Anniversary for Battle in the Saddle. We are already working on plans for next year and this will be a show you will not want to miss. Mark your calendars for Mar 17-19, 2023.
Again, thank you for your continued support. The barrel racing community is amazing, and we are so thankful for each person that comes to our shows.
We want to thank every one of you who came out to support Safe Harbor & Battle in the Saddle. We had another amazing year, despite the weather not wanting to cooperate with us.
New this year was two days of awesome pole bending competition. We were able to watch top notch competitors and their horses turn in blazing fast times. We had a total of 144 runs over the two days and paid out $7,104. Congratulations to our Average Winners; 1D – Josh Morton, 2D – Jaelyn Cooper, & 3D Amanda Ervin. We plan to have Pole Bending back for 2023 and have some really cool things in the works for next year as well!
Our Young Guns competition was nothing short of amazing. Seeing these kids giving it all they have is nothing less than impressive. Friday night Darcy Dement set the pace in the Young Guns class which rolled over into the Open. Her and her horse, Hel on Socks, ended up winning 2nd in the Open with a 14.825. Saturday and Sunday’s Young Guns winner, Kanely Cooper, followed in Darcy’s footsteps winning the Young Guns each day and then placing 2nd in the Open both days as well. It is safe to say that these kids are definitely “gunning” for the first when they enter into the arena.
Young Guns Average winners were 1D - Kanely Cooper, 2D – Madelyn Gregory, 3D – Sara Bryn Chambers.
Open Barrels had a total of 971 entries even with the not-so-great weather we were handed. Friday night’s win went to Darby Toole on Spit N Fire with a 14.758. Saturday’s round win went to the one and only, Billy Hatzman on Honor Bounds Ghost. Sunday Sierra Waldrep & Lordy Hez Dashin clinched the win being the last runner of the weekend. They ran a 14.443 to change things up for everyone. Goes to prove that it all comes down to that final horse.
Open Average winners were 1D – Kanely Cooper on Red Native Dunit, 2D – Denise Evans on Famous Rolling Stone, 3D – Peggy Pulley on Gunner and 4D – Tylee Tummins on Jessie.
Total Payout for BITS 2022 was $81,233.50 plus awards. Total Entries – 1,745 (Young Guns, Open, Sidepots, Poles)
We cannot thank our sponsors enough for all they do for Battle in the Saddle. Without them our shows would not continue to happen. If you have a chance to thank them, please do…
D&S Builders, Tennessee Tractor, LLC (Somerville, TN), IGA Insurance, Nationwide Insurance, Tractor Supply, The Drag Queen Arena Drag – Randy Price, Jim & Sue Oaks, Paul Bailey, KT Produce, Netgain, Donald Roberts, Maxine & Bill Shirk, OakTenn, WASCO, Sun Electric, Barry & Maria Jenkins, David & Lynn Elkins, Kyle & Jamie Bennett, Benjamin & Jennifer Woodby, Linda & James Williams, Salon OC, Janice & Jerry Clark, Church Weber, Shawn Gallant, and the Mitchell Family.
To our ground crew who are some of the best in the business, THANK YOU! Thank you for keeping the ground safe and consistent all weekend. You all put so much care into making sure we have the best footing possible, and the times turned in prove that to be true. Travis Childress, John Osborne, Maddox Pinner, & Rodney Ervin thank you for the long hours this past weekend.
Thank you to Brent Puhl for the countless hours behind the camera and for having the webcast for everyone to watch. Please support our photographer and be sure to purchase your favorite pictures from this weekend!
To all of our vendors thank you for being with us. If you weren’t able to snag up some good deals this weekend, be sure to catch up with all of them on Facebook. There was something for everyone there and we hope to have all of you back next year!
Thank you to JHA Saddle & Tack for once again providing a 5 Star Pad for our raffle! Congrats to the winner as well.
To the Agricenter Showplace Staff we thank you for letting us use your facility once again. Thank you for all the help you provide to our show staff and competitors.
Tennessee Tractor where do we even begin! With the world we are living in currently finding tractors can be a challenge, but you all saved the day by having 3 John Deere’s there for our use. Just as the show couldn’t run without sponsors, it definitely couldn’t go on without tractors. If anyone is in the market for a new tractor be sure to give Tennessee Tractor in Somerville, TN a shot at helping you find what you are looking for.
Thank you Randy Price with Drag Queen Arena Drags for the use of your equipment. If you are in the market for a new arena drag visit www.drdrags.com to see which model would be best for you!
Thank you as well to Ralph Feathers for the use of your arena drags.
Thank you to all who donated a cake for the cake auction and to those who purchased one. Those were some delicious goodies to have to make things even sweeter at the barrel race.
To our show staff thank you, thank you for the long hours and the work before and after the show that no one else sees. It’s not an easy job but we are so thankful that you work so hard to make our show the best it can be.
Continue to keep the Osborne Family in your prayers as they have found their mare. God had different plans for the gorgeous yellow mare and we pray they find comfort in the days ahead.
2023 will be the 10-year Anniversary for Battle in the Saddle. We are already working on plans for next year and this will be a show you will not want to miss. Mark your calendars for Mar 17-19, 2023.
Again, thank you for your continued support. The barrel racing community is amazing, and we are so thankful for each person that comes to our shows.
Battle in the Saddle 2021
Our 2021 1D Average Champion - Katie Jo Keller & Ima Fiddleplayer Too of Mulberry, AR.
We had a total of 1900 entries over the weekend. 1,101 runs in the Open, 139 runs in the Young Guns, 31 KK Run for Vegas Qualifiers, and 61 in the poles. Our total payout for 2021 was $83,730.50!
Thank you to everyone who made this show possible - our sponsors, our staff, our vendors, contestants and your families.
Thank you to the Agricenter Showplace Arena, Manager Jamie White, & his staff for keeping the facility top notch for all of us to enjoy.
Thank you to all of our sponsors for supporting our event:
Thank you to First Choice Farm & Lawn for use of the Kubota tractors and Randy Prince for the use of The Drag Queen Arena Drags. We have some of the best tractor drivers in the business. Thank you Travis Childress, JJ Bryant, Rodney Ervin, & Maddox Pinner for keeping the ground so consistent all weekend.
Thank you to Josh & Cassie Morton for bringing the Poles and for helping to get everything set up.
Thank you to those who carried flags opening up each day, and thank you to Sharlee Shumpert for singing our National Anthem.
Thank you to our vendors for giving us all somewhere to spend our money on your great products and services! Thank you JHA Saddle & Tack for donating a 5 Star Pad for the Raffle Giveaway!
Thank you TN Equine Hospital of Eads for being our on-site vet for the weekend.
Thank you to Brent Puhl with Puhl's Photography for the long hours behind the camera, and for providing us with a live webcast for those who can't be there to watch!
As we all know it takes everyone to have an event like this. There are so many thank you's to give out. We will have everything figured soon to see what 2021's show raised for Safe Harbor. You will never know the impact you are having while you are just enjoying what you do with your friends, your families, and your horses! You are investing in so many lives, most you will never even see or know. From all of us at Safe Harbor & Battle in the Saddle THANK YOU and we will see you next year.
Mark the dates in your calendar - Jan 14 - 16, 2022 at the Agricenter Showplace Arena!
Our 2021 1D Average Champion - Katie Jo Keller & Ima Fiddleplayer Too of Mulberry, AR.
We had a total of 1900 entries over the weekend. 1,101 runs in the Open, 139 runs in the Young Guns, 31 KK Run for Vegas Qualifiers, and 61 in the poles. Our total payout for 2021 was $83,730.50!
Thank you to everyone who made this show possible - our sponsors, our staff, our vendors, contestants and your families.
Thank you to the Agricenter Showplace Arena, Manager Jamie White, & his staff for keeping the facility top notch for all of us to enjoy.
Thank you to all of our sponsors for supporting our event:
- D&S Builders
- The Lodge at Five Oaks
- Clegherns Piggly Wiggly of Erin
- Netgain Mobile Diagnostics
- Jim & Sue Oaks
- Carter Funding Corporation
- IGA - Insurance Group of America
- Jackson Tire & Alignment
- WASCO Inc.
- Dr. Ford
- Deborah Lane - Iberia Mortgage Loan Officer
- Tractor Supply
Thank you to First Choice Farm & Lawn for use of the Kubota tractors and Randy Prince for the use of The Drag Queen Arena Drags. We have some of the best tractor drivers in the business. Thank you Travis Childress, JJ Bryant, Rodney Ervin, & Maddox Pinner for keeping the ground so consistent all weekend.
Thank you to Josh & Cassie Morton for bringing the Poles and for helping to get everything set up.
Thank you to those who carried flags opening up each day, and thank you to Sharlee Shumpert for singing our National Anthem.
Thank you to our vendors for giving us all somewhere to spend our money on your great products and services! Thank you JHA Saddle & Tack for donating a 5 Star Pad for the Raffle Giveaway!
Thank you TN Equine Hospital of Eads for being our on-site vet for the weekend.
Thank you to Brent Puhl with Puhl's Photography for the long hours behind the camera, and for providing us with a live webcast for those who can't be there to watch!
As we all know it takes everyone to have an event like this. There are so many thank you's to give out. We will have everything figured soon to see what 2021's show raised for Safe Harbor. You will never know the impact you are having while you are just enjoying what you do with your friends, your families, and your horses! You are investing in so many lives, most you will never even see or know. From all of us at Safe Harbor & Battle in the Saddle THANK YOU and we will see you next year.
Mark the dates in your calendar - Jan 14 - 16, 2022 at the Agricenter Showplace Arena!
Battle in the Saddle 2020 raised $34,000 for Safe Harbor, which has been our largest fundraiser to date. That money is going to fully renovate a multi-purpose building in Jefferson County and we will be putting computer labs in each of our 5 campuses. Thank you once again to everyone who made this possible.
We could not continue without all of our wonderful sponsors, great corporate partners, and each one of you who support Safe Harbor Battle in the Saddle!
The Jefferson County project has already begun!
We could not continue without all of our wonderful sponsors, great corporate partners, and each one of you who support Safe Harbor Battle in the Saddle!
The Jefferson County project has already begun!
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2017
A huge THANK YOU to all that rode this year at Tunica Battle in the Saddle! We used the money raised to buy these mattresses. Through our partnership with Tempur-Pedic we only had to pay shipping & handling on this $232,000.00 load of mattresses! Thank you so much and see you in January 2018!!! |
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In 2015 we set a goal of reaching $20,000 to re-roof the Homeless Mission. While we aren’t at the goal we need yet, the past year of barrel races has significantly helped to get us started. We look forward to 2016 in pushing us to the $20,000 goal. With the help from our contestants and our great sponsors the roof will be replaced and we will continue to improve the lives of those who are looking for their safe place. |
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In 2014 Battle in the Saddle shows raised enough money to buy a new stove to replace the outdated units. With the number of meals prepared a commercial type unit was needed to meet the needs for Safe Harbor. Retail price on the unit is $8,133.79.
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In 2013 Battle in the Saddle had the first barrel race at the Agricenter Showplace Arena in Memphis, TN. With the over $18,000 raised from this show we were able to renovate the bathrooms at the mission. You can see they had a complete overhaul.
Bathroom Before
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Shower Before
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Remodeling in progress
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Bathroom & Shower After
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For More information on Better Barrel Races click here to visit their website!
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For more information on WPRA visit https://www.wpra.com/index.php
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For more information on K.I.S.S. Stallions visit http://www.kissstallions.com/
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Past Battle in the Saddle Events
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Past Champions
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Pole Bending Champions
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Battle in the Saddle Facebook Page
How Battle in the Saddle was born
The idea for Battle in the Saddle was born by a couple of men who love to go to barrel racing events and watching their kids compete. Watching families fellowship together, watching friendships form. There are however those that do not have that opportunity. Those that are homeless, hungry and nowhere to go. These 2 men work for Safe Harbor, a place of refuge, a place to start over. Safe harbor provides about 210 meals a day for the men in Memphis another 60 meals a day for the women of fresh start. This Barrel racing Fundraiser will help provide those meals and much more. We look forward to a great event full of fellowship and barrel racing.
