Home>Rodeo
Last updated: Jun 28, 2023
Posted by Rookie Road Staff
PreviousNext
Barrel racing is a rodeo event in which horseback riders race around large barrels in a cloverleaf pattern to compete for the shortest time.It’s a fast-paced and entertaining sport that combines the skills of the horse and rider and is predominantly played by women. Navigating the sharp turns around the barrels safely and quickly demands considerable strength and balance, as well as mental acuity and composure. Below we’ll explore the evolution of barrel racing from its origins in the 1930s to the modern day, as well as the sport’s rules, riding techniques, equipment, and best racers.
- Description: A rodeo event in which cowboys or cowgirls race a horse around a series of large barrels in a cloverleaf pattern to record the best time
- Founded: Early 1930s
- Place of Origin: Texas, USA
- Governing Bodies: The Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA), Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA)
- Where is it played: Most popular in the United States, but has a global presence with participation in countries such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, Panama, Spain, Switzerland, and the Netherlands
- Categories: Rodeo, Horseback Riding, Trick Riding
History
Barrel racing is believed to have emerged from Stamford, Texas, in the early 1930s.The sport quickly spread across the southern US and then the whole nation. Barrel racing was first included at the Stamford Cowboy Reunion in 1931, a rodeo, like most others at the time, historically dominated by men. When the decision was made to allow girls sixteen years and older to compete, barrel racing became the first rodeo event to consistently showcase female riders.
The Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) was founded in 1948 by several Texan women who sought to put the sport on the map and carve out a space for women in the world of rodeo. Barrel racing has come a long way during a relatively short period of time, and the sport now has a presence at most competitive rodeos, and women compete professionally for significant sums.
Rules
The premise of barrel racing is simple: race through the circuit as quickly as possible without disrupting any of the barrels.Doing so requires tactical maneuvering and extreme athleticism to guide the horse through a series of alternating half-circle turns. Barrels are set in a triangle, and the racers must circle each barrel, completing the standard cloverleaf pattern. The rider shifts their weight to sit deep in the saddle and directs the horse with their inside hand on the reins.
Getting the right approach to the first barrel (the “money barrel”) is crucial to being set up well for the rest of the run. When the sport started, riders raced in a figure-eight pattern, but in 1935, they adopted the more challenging cloverleaf riding pattern that remains standard today.
Typical dimensions for a barrel racing circuit are:
- 90 feet between barrels 1 and 2
- 105 feet between barrels 1 and 3 and between 2 and 3
- 60 feet from barrels 1 and 2 to the score line
In 1949, scoring strictly by time became standard practice, but if a rider fails to complete the circuit correctly,they’ll be scored with “no time” and essentially disqualified. Hitting or knocking over a barrel results in a minimum time penalty of five seconds. In a sport as high speed and high stakes as this one, any misstep can be incredibly costly.
Equipment
Barrel racing requires most of the usual equipment used for riding but with a few key adjustments:
- Bit, bridle, reins: There are many possibilities for a bit, and the correct fit depends on what offers the rider the most control. Reins are typically shorter than casual riding reins.
- Saddle: Barrel racing saddles typically have a deeper seat and a higher cantle for more security, as well as a higher horn that’s easier to hold on to.
- Saddle pad: Saddle pads need to fit especially well with exact measurements of girth and back girth.
- Breast collar: Straps the saddle around the front of the horse and helps maintain saddle position so it doesn’t slip off.
- Horse protection: Splint boots, bell boots, and support boots all offer varying levels of external protection for the horse’s hooves and ankles, as well as structural support to reduce the impact on their joints.
Protective gear is rarely worn by riders, but the sport has seen an increase in helmet use in recent years. Adequate conditioning for both horse and rider and appropriate equipment is crucial to helping prevent injury when working at such high speeds.
Best Barrel Racers
- Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi
- Sherry Cervi
- Charmayne James
- Martha Josey
- Lisa Lockhart
- Fallon Taylor
- Amberley Snyder
- Hailey Kinsel
- Faye Blackstone
- Mary Burger
FAQ
How does barrel racing work?
Barrel racing is a rodeo event in which riders on horseback attempt to complete a circuit in the fastest time possible.Large barrels are spaced out in a triangle shape, and riders must complete a cloverleaf pattern circling around each barrel as fast as possible without disruption. The contestant with the shortest time wins the event.
Who created barrel racing?
There is no singular inventor of barrel racing, but the sport emerged in Texas in the early 1930s as a way to better showcase women in rodeo.The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) was formed in 1948 by a group of women who sought to better establish barrel racing as a timed athletic event rather than the glorified beauty pageant it was historically relegated to.
Pages Related to What Is Barrel Racing?
- What Is Rodeo?
- Types of Rodeo Events
- History of Rodeo
- What Is Breakaway Roping?
- What Is Calf Roping?
- What Is Bronc Riding?
PreviousNext
