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Barrel racing is an exciting timed event where the horse and rider enter the arena, race around three barrels in a cloverleaf pattern, then race out of the arena as fast as they can!  The horse and rider can start with either the barrel on the left or the barrel on the right.  If they start with the barrel on the right, they’ll also circle that barrel to the right and then the next two barrels are circled to the left.  (Right Left Left.)  If they start with the barrel on the left, they’ll also circle it to the left and then the next two barrels are circled to the right.  (Left Right Right.)  When all three barrels have been circled in this cloverleaf pattern, they gallop at top speed toward the arena exit across the timing light beam.  Times are so close that electronic timing devices accurate to the hundredth of a second must be used.  Fastest time wins but time may be added to the clock with penalties such as missing the pattern, running out of turn, knocking over a barrel, or falling off the horse.  Touching a barrel is usually permitted without penalty.

Barrel racers have a special saddle that’s specially designed to help keep the rider in the saddle (it has a high cantle in the front and high seat at the rear).  These saddles are a bit shorter than a typical Western Saddle but give the horse more agility and freer movement.  Horses are also typically equipped with “boots” to protect their legs from the barrels or from their own hooves.  Years of practice and training go into the successful barrel racing teams and a proven barrel racing horse can cost $50,000!  Excerpts taken from The Rodeo Guide for City Slickers by Graeme Menzies