Hello ,i  got a 2yrs old quarter horses mare 2 years ago.I learn all the basic thing she must know before beginning barrel.I do with her some exhibition last year.But like you know this summer  is the last year we can run 5 yrs old ,but mine mare have only 4 years old.Like i can see i won't be ready to run my young mare.I decide to keep her for get a open horse and garanty a long life in competition.Do you think i should continu like this way and  don't add to much speed and let her growing and ripen for another year?I don't want to have a stressed horse and i want she stay cold like she is.My fear is to add too much speed and loose the control,i try to make a horse really calm and not stressed in gate and after run.I know it's important to learn to the horse to take more and more pressure but do you thing the safe way is add gradually speed step by step?Hope you can uynderstand my request...

I mean 5yrs old for futurity competition ...thanks

Not all the futurities are changing back to 4 year olds some are still staying with the 5yr old format. 

You should take your time bringing her along, a year of seasoning and asking for speed along the way is about right. 

Good luck with her and welcome to the boards.