Any suggestions?

I bought my first horse about 2 weeks ago. I have been riding about 5-6 years. I have leased 2 horses and I do know what to do, basic wise. I bought him and intend to barrel race, and jump him. Any advice? In general?
Answers:
Barrel racing and jumping are so far on each wing away from each other, only working with the horse on the weekends - you will be hard pressed to train him to do well enough at one job, let alone be sane and normal to transition between the two on your whim.
My advice is to pick a riding style and train him for that for YEARS until it is mastered well enough for what you want, then you can train him to do something else. Horses in training really need to be worked 5 days a week to learn the disclipine inside of a year. Only 1-2 days a week, your training time is going to take longer.
While both jumpers and barrell racing are both speed events, there is a tremendous amount of differences, and levels of precision and control that need to be developed well and slowly over time.
If you cannot commit the needed time to him to train him, he should be sent to a training barn so he can get practice while you lesson on him during the weekends.

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Start out slowly working with him. Walk him through the steps first until he gets the hang of what you want him to do. Once he understands what you expect out of him, he will catch on faster. Work with him constantly and stay as consistant as you can. Punish him when he gets stubborn and doesn't do as you please. Some use a whip, some tie them up to a pole...I know, it seems cruel, but it works.

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I have been riding for 7 years and if i were you don't just jump and barrle race your horse you are going to end up killing the joins! Dressage is the best thing to practice or show so that you can still do barrle race and jump! I hate dressage but I do it for horse hope you do to!!!!!

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You need to read on both %26 see what one you'd like to do. Read!! Teach yourself how to ask your horse what to do. You need to teach yourself how to do these things with your horse the right way!! Good luck %26 have fun!!

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You might going to some clinics because depending on what you are planning on using him for to what you need to do.

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Take it slow and go at the horse's own pace. Variety is good also.