Barb Barry ready to take on the world in Amateur Drivers Championship in Hungary

IT’S a long way from the black soil of an 11,000-acre outback Australian cattle and wheat property to the bright lights of Budapest.

Barb Barry will represent Australia in the Amateur Drivers World Championship in Hungary.

IT’S a long way from the black soil of an 11,000-acre outback Australian cattle and wheat property to the bright lights of Budapest.

But it will be the culmination of a lifetime of harness racing passion when Queensland hobby trainer/driver Barb Barry represents Australia in the Hungarian capital next month.

Barry, who grew up on a northern NSW property between Moree and Goondiwindi, will take part in the Harness Racing Amateur Drivers World Championship.

The passionate horsewoman was first introduced to harness racing when her father trained and drove trotters on the regional show circuit.

Barry has since been involved in harness racing for several decades and prepared her own team with success.

She is eligible to compete in the Amateur Drivers World Championship as she is a hobby trainer/driver who does not derive her main income from harness racing.

She will pay her own way to Budapest for next month’s championship and can’t wait to wear the green and gold.

“I’ve had a look back through the history books and there is no pressure on me because Australia has never won the world amateur title,” Barry said. “I can’t wait to represent Australia, who wouldn’t want the chance to represent their country?”

Participating countries at next month’s titles include Argentina, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland and the USA.

Competitors will be randomly drawn the trotters they will drive, with points allocated in six races over two days.

Barry is a frequent traveller and a close friend of Natalie Rasmussen, who was the trainer/driver of the legendary Blacks A Fake.

Barry accompanied Rasmussen on countless interstate trips with Blacks A Fake and has plenty of fond memories.

“One of my favourite moments was when I got to warm up Blacks A Fake before a Victoria Cup one year,” she says. “Natalie (Rasmussen) was driving in the race before, so she couldn’t warm him up. It was a great honour and something I will always remember.”

â–  THE Association body representing harness racing breeders, owners, trainers and reins-persons (BOTRA) has appointed a younger generation to all management positions.

Office bearers are Peter McMullen (president), Daniel Costello (vice-president), Trent Dawson (treasurer) and Madi Dux (secretary).

Originally published as Barb Barry ready to take on the world in Amateur Drivers Championship in Hungary