Barrel Racing for the Fun of It
The only judge involved is the clock. Either you have the fastest time or you don’t. Barrel racing has been around for years. It has been a game event in numerous competitions for decades where men, women, and children have enjoyed displaying their expertise at top speed for all to see. Most often the first exposure to it comes from watching the Rodeos.
The cowboys introduced barrel racing into their list of events so their wives and girlfriends would have something to compete in at the Rodeos. It consists of three barrels placed at specified distances in an arena in a triangular pattern, referred to as a cloverleaf pattern. Different associations have their own recommended distances. A general guideline would be ninety feet from the first to second barrel and ninety feet to the third. These distances vary anywhere from sixty to one hundred and five feet.
However, once set, it remains the same for all competitors in that race. The competitor enters the arena at one end and proceeds at top speed around the first barrel and then proceeds across the arena to the second, which must be turned in the opposite direction from the first. Next they proceed down the arena to the third barrel, which must be turned in the same direction as the second barrel. I have been teaching riding and barrel racing for years and have noticed a dramatic increase in the number of individuals wanting to learn to barrel race. I normally don’t have any problem resolving the situation. Usually the horse explains it rather quickly, and much better than I could. Then there are those who have been riding for some time and desire something different or more challenging. For these riders things move along much more quickly. They already have the basics and simply need the technical aspects. Barrel racing is a wonderful activity for anyone who enjoys being outdoors, excitement, an adrenalin rush, and the chance to really communicate with horses. This is one sport that seems to hold the interest of entire families.
Even the teenagers stay with it. Some never want to compete. They simply want to enjoy having the ability to do it and the opportunity to give it a try. You have permission to copy and reuse this article provided there are no changes made to the article and credit is given to the author and the link to his website remains in place. Please notify him by email if you are going to use this article. I am currently looking forward to the Fifa World Cup and the winter cricket Ashes tour to Australia. These are sporting events which are not played on an annual basis but are every four years in respect of the football world cup and normally every two years for the ashes series.
