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Barrel Racing

Kristina & "Dolly" - PacWest Finals

Barrel Racing

is a form of rodeo event that demands the

most athletic horses and dedicated riders.

Success can be defined in terms of financial

earnings, or more simply, pattern completion

and fastest time.

Poem

The sport in itself consists of horse and rider combining the horse's athletic ability and the superb horsemanship skills of the rider in order to safely and successfully maneuver a clover leaf pattern around three barrels (typically three fifty-five gallon metal barrels, but as long as the size and shape of the barrel is accurate, different material can be used) placed in a triangle in the center of an arena. In timed events, the purpose is to make a run as fast as possible, often characterized as breakneck speed, while the time is being clocked.

Kristina & "Summer" - 2004 California Classic

Kristina & "Breeze" - 2004 Western Regional finals

Clocking is done by either by an electric eye, (a device using a laser system to record times), or by an arena attendant or judge who manually takes the time using a keen eye and a flag to let a clocker know when to hit the timer stop; though this last method is primitive by today's standards.

The timer begins when horse and rider cross the start line, and ends when the barrel pattern has been successfully executed and horse and rider cross the finish line. The rider's time depends on several factors, most commonly the horse's physical and mental condition, the rider's horsemanship abilities, and the type of ground or footing (the quality, depth, content, etc. of the sand or dirt in the arena).

Kristina & "Raven" - NBHA State Finals 2002

Alexis & "Cheyenne"

Arielle & "Roxy" - NBHA LA Convention Center 2008

Audra & "Pocos Painted Pistol"

at the NBHA California State Championship Final