Contact: James Carskadon

STARKVILLE, Miss.—As the Mississippi Horse Park gears up for this weekend’s Horse Poor Barrel Race, a grant from the Mississippi Development Authority will help the successful annual event continue to grow in 2020.

The Horse Park, a partnership between the city of Starkville, Oktibbeha County and Mississippi State University, will use the $6,000 MDA grant to grow the 2020 Horse Poor Barrel Race, with grant funds used for advertising and staff/equipment needs to produce the event.

“We thank the MDA Visit Mississippi Grant for supporting all types of tourism in our state,” said Bricklee Miller, Mississippi Horse Park director. “With the help of the grant, the Mississippi Horse Park attracts a unique audience that may not have traveled to Starkville otherwise. Each year we see over 60,000 people come through our gates bringing new dollars to our community.” Miller said that from 2001-2018, the economic impact of the Horse Park was $43 million.

The race began in 2011 and is the largest event produced in-house by Horse Park staff. As one of the top facilities in the Southeast, the Horse Park draws participants from around the country.

The June 28-30 race, which is free to attend, will bring thousands of people to Starkville. Miller said she looks forward to welcoming regular and new contestants this weekend. For more, visit www.mshorsepark.com/events/horse-poor.

Located just south of Mississippi State main campus, the Horse Park hosts an average of 40 events each year and has more than 60,000 people come through the gates annually. The Horse Park also is an RV parking destination for fans during football season. The facility will begin accepting reservations for football season on July 10.

For more on the Mississippi Horse Park, visit www.mshorsepark.com.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.