Barrel Racing Articles

Three barrels in a cloverleaf, time measured in hundredths of a second, and swift transitions from blistering straightaway to tight turns—that’s barrel racing. Time is all that counts. If you want to win, you’ve got to have courage and balance, whether you’re the horse or the rider. Often a part of rodeo competition, barrel racing has become so popular that it is a stand-alone competition in many venues. There’s money in it, too: silver buckles or custom saddles or cold cash are given as prizes. Originally a sport for women and girls, barrel racing is so much fun that the men are getting into it! The ideal barrel horse is fast (for the straightaways) and agile (for the turns). By definition that means the ideal barrel horse is usually a Quarter Horse.