WHO ARE WE ?

4 Strides Equestrian UK is an independent company, that works in partnership with the United Kingdom Barrel Horse Association (UKBHA) and the National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA)

We pride ourselves on making barrel racing an accessible and affordable sport that is inclusive to all equestrians from all equestrian disciplines, regardless of prior experience, type of horse or riding style.

We work with a variety of associations/organisations, locally, nationally and Internationally to promote barrel racing and western riding.

We welcome collaboration and partnership working with any other organisation or association who share the same vision and values.

We encourage the development of aspirations and support people’s dreams.

WHAT IS BARREL RACING ?

Barrel racing is an event in which a horse and rider attempt to complete a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels placed in a triangle in the centre of an arena, in the fastest time.

It combines the horse's athletic ability and the horsemanship skills of a rider in order to safely and successfully manoeuvre a horse around the pattern.

It is believed that competitive barrel racing was first held in Texas. The Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) was developed in 1948 by a group of women from Texas who were looking to make a name for themselves in the sport of rodeo.

See the Barrel Racing Pattern

The fastest recorded time, according to the National Finals Rodeo, is said to be 13.46 seconds ridden by Carlee Pierce riding Dillon in 2011. This is a different pattern size to what we use.

WHO IS SALLY HERON ?

Sally Heron - founder of 4 Strides Equestrian UK in 2017, and the only incorporated barrel racing business in the UK.

4 Strides Equestrian UK LTD, works in partnership with a variety of associations/organisations, locally, nationally and internationally to promote barrel racing.

In 2016 January Sally started providing barrel racing training clinics and competitions in collaboration with the UKBHA. Just 3 people attended that event, on a cold windy day…

By 2017 September- Sally founded 4 Strides Equestrian UK; and became the only incorporated barrel racing business in the UK and still is to this day.

2017 November - Sally was part of the first ever international barrel racing team to represent the UK in the USA, and to compete internationally at the National Barrel Horse Association world championships in Perry Georgia USA.

2018 October - Sally was the first person to train and take her own horse from the UK to Europe to compete in the EQUITA Lyon Barrel Racing European Cup.

2019 October - Sally represented the UK in China at the ZWU World Cup Barrel Racing competition and the UK placed 11th in the World.

2019 October - Sally was the first person from the UK to train and send a 4 Strides Equestrian International TEAM of 6 riders to compete in the South African Western Mounted Games Association & Barrel racing, Elite National Competition. This was the first time the UK has been represented at this event and they placed 2nd.

2020 December - Sally started a regular training programme for riders who wanted to represent the sport of barrel racing at demonstrations & displays. That team is now 22 strong with regular bookings to perform all over the country.

2022 October - Sally trained and rode alongside 5 riders, to represent the UK at The Golden Buckle Barrel Race in Malta. This was be the first time the UK had been represented at this event. 5 riders placed in the 4th Division and 1 took 4D reserve champion.

2023 September - Sally was instrumental in the first collaboration between NBHA UK and AQHA UK to put on barrel racing classes over 2 nights at the AQHA UK championship show. Sally won the overall AQHA UK Hi-Point barrel horse Award for the event.

2023- two, 4 Strides Team riders formed part of the UK team and competed in South Africa for the Western Mounted Games & World Cup Elite Competition. The team placed 2nd overall.

2023 November - Sally trained and took a team of 10 UK riders, to the USA, to compete in the NBHA Open & Senior World Championships. 6 out of 10 placed and as a team accumulated over £2000 in prize money.

2024 October – Sally trained, and rode alongside a team of 7 UK riders, with 6 of their own horses, to the Equita Lyon FRANCE, to compete in the NBHA Franch Championship and the European Cup.

6 out of 7 riders placed and the UK had riders on the podium in the top 3 every day. Collectively bringing home more than £3000 in prize money. A 3D Champion buckle, and the NBHA France pony pole bending Champion winner.

2025 July – Sally trained and took a team of 3 youth riders to complete in the NBHA USA World Youth and Teen Championships. All 3 qualified for the finals. Bringing home over £3000 in prize money between them and a 5D reserve champion buckle.

2025 October - Sally trained and simultaneously supported 1 rider to go back to NBHA USA Open World competition, and another 5 riders at the NBHA Italy Grand Championship: of those 5; in Italy 1 rider won the 4D in round one and another rider finished winning the 4D Championship overall.

In 2025 4 Strides Equestrian UK is home to the largest barrel racing club in the UK with 50 members!

4 Strides Equestrian UK is affiliated with:

The United Kingdom Barrel Horse Association,

The National Barrel Horse Association, in the USA. Plus, affiliations with NBHA France & Italy.

The European Barrel Horse Association.

The World Barrel Horse Association.

WHAT DO WE DO ?

4 Strides Equestrian UK LTD is a freelance company that holds events at our home in Lincolnshire and travels around the UK to provide:

instruction training clinics, private individual or group lessons and training camps for all levels and abilities, from newcomers to advanced racers.

training for horses.

opportunities for all to access local, regional, national and international competitions.

demonstrations and taster sessions (typically pony club / livery yard / private yards type settings) Contact us to arrange

OUR COMMITMENTS

To make barrel racing a well respected sport in the UK, with a respectable number of followers.
To grow/develop barrel racing in the UK, by working in partnership with barrel racing associations around the world.
To promote sensible education based skilled training which prioritises horse welfare: putting the safety and welfare of horses and riders at the heart of what we do.
To provide excellent foundation training in the techniques of the sport
To utilise personal experiences and skills to facilitate others to develop confidence and aspirations, raise self-esteem, inspire hope and ignite aspirations.
To support people to be the best that they possibly can be at this sport.
To promote an all inclusive community: barrel racing is a sport that all abilities of riders from any origin, can participate in. We welcome riders from all communities and backgrounds regardless of age, race and gender into the barrel racing community
To promote the competitive side of the sport and provide opportunities for everyone to participate.

OUR VALUES

Treat all people as we wish to be treated.
Be driven by the people who use our services.
Support the aspirations of our clients.
Enjoy striving to be the best for customers.
Deliver excellent quality at the lowest cost.
Make health and safety a priority in everything we do.
Build, train and retrain a great team of people.
Always keep things simple and operate with pace.
Understand, respect and preserve our environment.
Embrace all initiatives that help to ensure the legality, safety and quality of our services.
Our attitudes are based on the Natural Horsemanship philosophy: we work with horses based on the horse's natural instincts and methods of communication, with the understanding that horses do not learn through fear or pain. We value strong foundations in good horsemanship principals.