Posted: 5/15/07
Caledoniaís Dave Graf excels on national barrel racing circuit
By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
"A great horse can make a great trainer, but a great trainer cannot make a great horse."
Thatís the way Dave Graf of Caledonia summed up the success he has had in regional and national barrel racing. Graf traveled to San Carlos, Ariz. in early February for the Southwest Classic and placed first in both the Open and Senior 1-D classes.
Riding Giftagrande (Gifta), an 11-year-old Runnerelse gelding, Grafís two first place finishes prompted the editors of Barrel Horse News to feature the Caledonia used car dealer in their April 2007 issue. The feature included the large color photo accompanying this article.
"Iíve got a fantastic horse," Graf was quick to point out. "Gifta is one of the top horses Iíve seen and the best Iíve ever ridden. This horse was bred for competition. When we get ready for a run, his heart is pounding so hard, itís banging me right in the leg," he said pounding the inside of his thigh.
Graf purchased the horse about six years ago from former WPRA World Champion Joyce Loomis-Kernek and Jeani Reiman, who owned Runnerelse. Gifta came from championship lines and received championship training during his formative years, and Graf took it from there.
Graf, who is 57, competed in the Senior 1-D class against other barrel racers 50 years and older. After winning that class, he entered the Open Class, where he defeated riders of every age group. There were 780 entries at the 2007 Southwest Classic.
Graf and Gifta have been making a pretty big mark in the national barrel racing circuit. In 2003, Gifta was named the American Quarter Horseís High Point Horse of the Year. The duo also received the top award in both the Open and Amateur classes on the national level that same year.
Graf started barrel racing about 30 years ago. Although he grew up on a farm with several siblings, he was the only one interested in horses. After spending some time barrel racing, Graf got into thoroughbred and quarterhorse racing. He had horses competing at Canterbury Downs, race tracks in the Chicago area, and even Churchhill Downs.
But the love of the actual competition, becoming one with the horse, as they sped around the course, brought Graf back to barrel racing. For the past 20 years Graf has been competing on the national level, participating in 15 to 20 events per year.
"Iíve made so many good friends over the years, and I do really love the competition," Graf noted. "Where else can a 57-year-old compete on the national level?"
Racing around a soft track, at breakneck speed, on a horse stretched out in the corners that the riderís boots nearly scrape the ground, sounds like a recipe for disaster, or at the least, injury.
"Iíve taken a few spills, but never broken any bones."
Raising horses and competing in barrel racing on the national level takes a lot of time and money. Graf is preparing Gifta and a younger five-year-old for a major event, with over 500 pre-entries, in Champagne, Ill. on May 26. Heíll take his two horses to a horse chiropractor in Sun Prairie, Wis., and to an equine specialist in River Falls, Wis. for pre-race check-ups.
"It all costs money, but thereís no sense racing a horse if thereís something wrong. So I have my horses checked out before we go.
"If I was doing this for a living, Iíd be broke," he added with a laugh. "Even though Iíve won some pretty big events, Iíd say Iím probably breaking even, when you consider all the expenses involved in animal care, transportation costs, entry fees, and lodging for my horses and me."
Graf trailers his horses to all of the events himself, but makes sure good lodging is found for his horses, before he worries about where heís going to stay.
"Thereís no way Iíd have my horses staying in the trailer all night," he replied, when questioned about lodging for his horses. "Theyíve been standing up in the trailer all day. My horses are the reason Iím able to succeed, so I do everything I can to keep them comfortable."
When asked how long he plans to continue competing, Graf pointed out there is a fellow competing in the senior division who is 82 and doing well.
"As long has I can stay injury free and enjoy it, Iím going to continue," he concluded.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com