Hanson Launches Barrel Racing Bonus Program

Taylor Hanson is a professional barrel horse trainer from St. Onge, South Dakota. Steeped in the barrel racing industry as a competitor, breeder, and producer, she saw an opportunity to give back to northern futurity barrel racers. Hanson developed the Lucky 7 Bonus, a unique bonus money program available to owners in seven northern states.

“I tried to think of a way to put more money up in the north country that everyone up here can run at. Not that I don’t like the events down south, but it’s getting frustrating for us up here because we’re forking out a lot of money and not seeing much return up here. I wanted to think of a way of making a program for northern competitors that a variety of horses can run at,” she said.

Hanson launched the program three weeks ago. In its inaugural year, she plans to incorporate the bonus money sidepot at one event in each of the seven states: South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, and Minnesota.

So far, the Lucky 7 Bonus will be a part of the Heartland Futurity/Maturity in Huron, South Dakota, the Gridiron in Bowman, North Dakota, and the HorseWell Classic in Casper, Wyoming. Hanson will announce the remaining four as details emerge. As the program grows, Hanson hopes to add more events.

Stallion and Mare Nominations

Uniquely, Hanson is including a mare nomination.

The incentive industry, being thus far stallion focused, may have left behind smaller breeding programs and quality mares. Hanson is seeking to diversify the ways in which horse owners can enter. “You see a lot of horses nowadays that might not be out of a huge name stallion that’s still a nice horse. Now, they can have a way to compete for some more money, too.”

With embryo transfer becoming ever more commmon, mares are now able to produce many more foals in their lifetime than they ever could naturally. For example, TR Dashing Badger (Dolly) owned by the Thomas Ranch, is part of the Lucky 7 Bonus program.

Dolly was a four-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier and won the average twice before she started producing foals, and now her progeny will be eligible for bonus money at certain races regardless of their sire. “I love to showcase mares like that. They’re obviously a big part of it,” Hanson said.

It is early, but nearly 30 other mares are already enrolled.

Hanson is only aware of one other mare incentive in the northern states – the Homegrown Classic’s “Homegrown Heiress” – and it has a waiting list.

The feedback about the Lucky 7 Bonus mare nominations is positive. “People are liking that part of it. It brings out a different set of horses and gives them a chance for more money.”

Just as breeders are able to promote their mares, stallion owners can also promote their stallions through Hanson’s program. They are able to either pay the small reference sire fee of $350 or donate a breeding to their stallion to the stallion auction annually.

The stallion auction is currently accepting donations. Bidding will open Jan. 21 and end Feb. 20. Stallion nominations are due March 1.

Something for Everyone

Hanson produced the Gridiron Futurity, held previously at the 7 Down arena near Spearfish, for several years. “I loved doing it, but I also train horses.” Acting as a competitor and a producer at the same event, in addition to the workload year-round, was proving to be more work could be managed. She passed the Gridiron production onto her mother, Annie. “A huge shoutout to anyone in producing futurities. It’s not easy and takes a lot of time.”

Still interested in adding something to her industry while being able to train horses full time, Hanson came up with the idea for this bonus money program. “This way, I can compete, come back Monday, get results posted and get checks sent out,” she said.

“When I first had this idea, I sent some stuff out to my barrel racing friends. I got a lot of ideas and opinions from all of them. They were all really excited about it.” 

Hanson was anxious about adding another program to the mix when “there’s a new incentive all the time.” However, there are no foal nominations, which she hoped would appeal to a greater number of owners. “I know that foal nominations add up,” she said. “I was looking for a way to help breeders up here the most.” Through the Lucky 7 Bonus program, breeders can run at extra money without paying into anything.

Meanwhile, there’s still a way stallion and dam owners can get their money back. “My fee is not huge. It’s not a kicker if you don’t win anything.”

Hanson brings her event production skills to the management of this program and hopes for continued growth. “I’m going to do the best I can to get more events out there. I’ll be honest with everyone, and get results out and money out as quickly as I can. Being honest and transparent is important.”