Barrel racing facts for kids
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| Nicknames | Barrels, chasing cans |
|---|---|
| Characteristics | |
| Mixed-sex | Generally women and girls, some men and boys at local and youth levels |
| Type |
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| Equipment | Horse, horse tack |
| Venue | Indoor or outdoor riding arena |
Barrel racing is an exciting rodeo event where a horse and rider work together to race around three barrels. They follow a special "cloverleaf" pattern as fast as they can! While it's often a women's event in professional rodeo, both boys and girls compete in amateur and youth competitions. It takes amazing teamwork between the horse's speed and the rider's skill to guide the horse safely around the barrels in a large arena.
Contents
How Barrel Racing Started
Barrel racing began as a sport mainly for women. In the early days, riders would either follow a figure-eight pattern or a cloverleaf pattern. The cloverleaf pattern was harder, so it became the standard.
Many believe that competitive barrel racing first started in Texas. In 1948, a group of women from Texas created the Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA). It was first called the Girls Rodeo Association (GRA). This group helped women find their place in the world of rodeo. The GRA was the first rodeo organization made just for women. In 1981, it changed its name to the WPRA. Today, the WPRA still helps women compete in many rodeo events, but barrel racing is still the most popular. Lots of boys and girls, especially in country areas, enjoy barrel racing too!
Barrel Racing Today
Today, barrel racing is a big part of most rodeos. You can also find it at gymkhana or O-Mok-See events. These are usually amateur competitions where riders of all ages and skill levels can join. At these events, you might see other speed games like keyhole race or pole bending. Barrel racing at this level often groups riders by age. There are also "open" barrel racing events where anyone can compete, no matter their age or gender.
The main goal of barrel racing is to complete the pattern as fast as possible. Times are measured by an electric eye (a laser system) or by a judge who signals when to start and stop the clock. Judges are more common at local events. The timer starts when the horse and rider cross the starting line. It stops when they finish the pattern and cross the line again. Winning depends on the horse's fitness, the rider's skill, and even the type of ground in the arena.
To start a barrel race, the horse and rider gallop into the arena. They cross an electronic timer beam. The timer keeps running until they cross the beam again at the end of their run.
Modern barrel racing horses need to be fast, strong, agile, and smart. They need strength and agility to turn tightly around the barrels. A horse that can stay close to the barrels and follow commands quickly will have the fastest times.
Rules and the Pattern
In barrel racing, the fastest time wins! If a horse and rider go off the pattern, they get a "no time" score, which means they are disqualified. If a barrel is knocked over, there's a five-second penalty. This usually makes the time too slow to win. Riders have 60 seconds to complete the course once the timer starts.
Barrels must be 55-gallon metal barrels, closed at both ends, and have at least two colors. In some competitions, like the National Barrel Racing Association (NBRA), riders must wear a western long-sleeved shirt (tucked in), western pants or jeans, a western hat, and boots.
The standard barrel racing pattern has specific distances between the barrels and the start line:
- 90 feet (27 meters) between barrel 1 and barrel 2.
- 105 feet (32 meters) between barrel 1 and barrel 3, and between barrel 2 and barrel 3.
- 60 feet (18 meters) from barrels 1 and 2 to the score line (start/finish line).
In larger arenas, these distances can be a bit longer. Barrels 1 and 2 must be at least 18 feet (5.5 meters) from the sides of the arena. Barrel 3 should be at least 25 feet (7.6 meters) from the end of the arena. If the arena is small, the pattern is made smaller to fit.
This pattern is used by the Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) and the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA).
How to Compete
The way a rider approaches the first barrel is very important. The rider can choose to go to the left or right barrel first. Each turn around a barrel should be a smooth half-circle, usually taking about three horse strides. It's best to use the inside leg when going around the first half of a barrel, and the outside leg for the second half.
When heading to the second barrel, the horse needs to change its lead (which leg is leading). The rider must find the perfect spot to start the turn around the second barrel. The turn around the third barrel is in the same direction as the second. After the third turn, the horse and rider race "home" across the finish line to stop the timer.
As the horse gets ready to turn, the rider must be in the right position. They sit deep in the saddle and use their inside hand to guide the horse. The rider's leg on the inside of the turn stays close to the horse's side. This helps support the horse and guides it through the turn. Both the horse and rider need to be very fit for this sport. Being prepared helps prevent injuries.
Organizations and Events
Barrel racing has grown into a very organized sport. The main group for professional female rodeo athletes is the Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA). The WPRA holds over 800 events each year, with millions of dollars in prize money! The WPRA works with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). This allows women to compete in PRCA rodeos. Without this partnership, barrel racing would not be part of PRCA rodeos or the National Finals Rodeo (NFR). The WPRA world champion barrel racer is crowned at the NFR. Barrel racing has been at the NFR since 1967.
In the United States, two other national groups focus only on barrel racing: the National Barrel Horse Association and Better Barrel Races.
Horses for Barrel Racing
The American Quarter Horse is the most popular horse breed for barrel racing. These horses are known for their speed and agility.
A top barrel racing horse can cost a lot of money, sometimes over $25,000! The price depends on the horse's ability, intelligence, and breeding.
Tack and Equipment
There are no specific bits (part of the bridle that goes in the horse's mouth) required for barrel racing. Riders choose bits based on what their horse needs. Bits with longer shanks (sides) can help a horse stop quicker, while shorter shanks give more control for turns. Curb chains, nosebands, and tiedowns are also used if needed.
Barrel racers typically use a single looped rein. This makes it easy for the rider to quickly grab the reins if they drop them. Leather reins are common, but synthetic ones are also available.
A lightweight western saddle with a high front (pommel) and back (cantle) is best. Stirrups that hang forward help keep the rider's feet in the right place. Riders often choose a saddle that is a bit smaller than they usually would use. Most importantly, the saddle must fit the horse well. Saddle pads and cinches (straps that hold the saddle on) are chosen based on the horse's size.
Camas Prairie Stump Race
The Camas Prairie Stump Race is a special type of barrel race. It's also a match race, meaning two horses race against each other at the same time! They race on identical courses on opposite sides of the start-finish line. The riders start next to each other, facing opposite directions. The first horse and rider back across the line win. The races continue until only one horse is left. It's not about the fastest time, but about winning head-to-head. This race is one of five game classes approved by the Appaloosa Horse Club for horse shows. The club says that racing is a tradition of the Nez Perce Native American people.
Injuries in Barrel Racing
Horses often wear protective boots on their front and back legs. This helps lower the risk of injuries. Injuries can happen if horses or riders hit a barrel, fall during a sharp turn, or have an accident in the busy area near the arena gate. While equestrian helmets are not always worn by riders, more and more riders are starting to use them. For example, a champion rider wore a helmet at the 2014 National Finals Rodeo.
The metacarpophalangeal joint (a joint in the horse's lower leg) is the most common area for injuries in barrel horses. Because of the tight turns and sudden speed changes, the right front leg seems to get more stress than the left. Over time, some horses can develop osteoarthritis (a type of joint problem).
