Few names carry as much quiet weight in barrel racing in the Eastern US as Bob Hamilton.
Owner of the Southeastern Arena in Unadilla, Georgia, Hamilton has spent decades training, trading, producing, and mentoring in nearly every corner of the sport.
In this week’s episode of The Money Barrel, Kayla Jones sits down with Bob and his longtime partner, Cathi, joined by Brandon Cullins and Ashley Schafer, for a wide-ranging conversation on the horses and people that defined his career. From his early futurity trips with iconic horses, to the $15,000 wins that seemed life-changing at the time, Hamilton reflects on how much the industry has evolved.
Listeners will also hear about the riders who came up around him—Mike and Talmage Green, Cody Bauserman, Brandon Cullins—and the lessons they took away from their time in Unadilla. The discussion pulls back the curtain on an earlier era, when jackpots came with Calcuttas, slot races were a gamble, and training philosophies were shaped more by necessity than by design.
It’s a candid look at the history of the sport through the eyes of someone who has seen it all—and helped many get their start.
Listen now to hear Bob Hamilton’s stories and perspective on decades of barrel racing.
Patreon subscribers can access extended content from this conversation, including Hamilton’s advice he considers most crucial to his career.
This episode is brought to you by A Cut Above Buckles, creating custom trophy buckles and awards since 1999. Learn more about A Cut Above here.