LONG BEACH — An exciting annual tradition is galloping toward its spring finish line.

Red Barn organizers hosted the fifth of six yearly Award Series races on March 3 at their nearly 3,000-square-foot indoor arena at 6409 Sandridge Road, where the parking area was jammed with pickups, horse trailers and dozens of contestants.

This year marks the 27th consecutive season for the program for riders aged in the single digits up to their 70s, participating in barrel and pole-bending races.

Red Barn riders will hold its sixth and final race of the season on March 31, where prizes and awards will be presented to riders who tallied the highest point totals throughout the year.