Discipline - Barrel Racing
Introduction to Barrel Racing
Barrel Racing is a rodeo event that was originally developed as something for women to do while their husbands roped or rode bulls and broncs. It is believed that Barrel Racing first saw competitive light in the state of Texas. The Girls Rodeo Association (GRA), instituted in 1949, was the first body of rodeo developed specifically for women. The GRA became the WPRA in 1981, and while women are allowed to compete in various rodeo events, barrel racing remains the most popular. A fast growing sport among amateurs and professionals alike, barrel racing has no age limit and often times men and women compete equally against each other.
A thrilling display of speed and agility, the rules of barrel racing are pretty simple; the horse and rider combination that completes a set cloverleaf pattern around three standing barrels in the fastest time wins. If a rider knocks a barrel over during the ride, it costs them five extra seconds per barrel on the clock. Since a winning time is usually 13 - 17 seconds depending on the size of the arena, it's easy to see that winning requires a perfect round.
The riders then enter the arena at full speed, quickly rounding each barrel in a cloverleaf pattern and then exiting where they entered. A stopwatch or timer is used registering down to a hundredth of a second. Speed is what this event is all about, but riding as close as you can to the barrels can cost you time since sharper turns require a horse to go slower than a wider turn. Choosing when to turn is also critical in avoiding penalty points and can be affected by the slightest turn of the riders' head. Riders can also choose to go either way around the patter, requiring a certain amount of strategy in deciding which direction your horse is agile to.
Usually the established distances are:
- 90 feet between barrel 1 and 2.
- 105 feet between barrel 1 and 3 and between 2 and 3.
- 60 feet from barrels 1 and 2 to score line.
Barrel Racing has come a long way from the days of the Girls Rodeo Association (GRA). A high caliber barrel racer can cost well over the $60,000 mark depending on the ability and individuality of the horse. While breeding plays a huge role in the sale price of a horse, athletic ability, intelligence, drive, and willingness to please also "make or break" the sale of a horse.
