| Although the exact dates are unknown, the sport | | | | Most rodeo associations require that a barrel racer |
| of barrel racing traces its roots back to the | | | | wear certain attire such as a hat, boots and long |
| 1930's when young women competed in | | | | sleeve shirt. Depending on the association, barrel |
| horsemanship contests that involved riding their | | | | racers might be fined for losing their hat in the |
| horses in a figure eight pattern around two | | | | arena. |
| barrels. Legend has it that Texas was the state | | | | Barrel Racing is an event that demands some of |
| where barrel racing originated. Women wanted to | | | | the most athletic horses and dedicated riders in |
| participate in rodeo events as their male | | | | order to be successful in terms of financial |
| counterparts did. However, woman had been | | | | earnings. In today's world of barrel racing, the |
| competing in rodeo, in a variety of ways since | | | | standards are high and the competition is tough, |
| the 1880's when Buffalo Bill Cody and others hired | | | | there are very few individuals who have been |
| female bronc riders, trick ropers, trick riders and | | | | able to make a good living from barrel racing |
| gun handlers in their Wild West Shows. | | | | professionally. In the past it was common to train |
| Through World War II "All Girl Rodeos" were very | | | | a horse for barrel racing that had been rejected |
| common but popularity decreased again as men, | | | | from it's original intended discipline such as racing, |
| who frequently competed in events such as | | | | cutting, or reining. Today there exists many barrel |
| bronc riding and roping returned from the home | | | | horse trainers who's main focus is only on |
| front. It is believed that the barrel racing was | | | | developing competitive barrel horses. Today many |
| changed to a cloverleaf pattern in 1935, but it | | | | quality breeding programs have been developed |
| was not judged as it is today, by the quickest | | | | for the sole purpose of producing elite barrel |
| time, until 1949. It was in 1949 when a group of | | | | horses. There are many barrel horse stallions |
| courageous women joined together to form the | | | | available for mare owners to choose from in |
| Girl's Rodeo Association, later renamed to the | | | | hopes of raising the next barrel horse champion. It |
| Women's Professional Rodeo Association in 1981. | | | | has been said that a barrel horse must possess |
| Barrel racing evolved through the GRA | | | | speed and the ability to keep their volatile |
| organization to become an event for women that | | | | features under control. This is necessary in order |
| today offers purses equal to the Professional | | | | to execute precise, quick turns. When shopping |
| Rodeo Cowboy's Association event purses. | | | | for the right barrel horse some of the more |
| A Barrel Race might be organized as an individual | | | | important things to consider are a good mind, a |
| event or held as part of a rodeo or horse show. | | | | huge heart, correct conformation and a true love |
| Barrel racing has become highly competitive and | | | | for running barrels. It is also imperative that a |
| involves barrel horses with extreme athletic ability | | | | horse be able to withstand the many miles |
| and a barrel racer who possesses superb | | | | traveled throughout the country to various barrel |
| horsemanship skills. Horse and rider teams | | | | racing competitions. A grueling travel schedule can |
| compete for the fastest time as they maneuver | | | | be taxing to a barrel horse and not all can handle |
| their horses in a clover leaf pattern around three | | | | the stress and still remain competitive. |
| 55 gallon closed end metal barrels placed in a | | | | Over the years, barrel racing has primarily been a |
| triangle shape in the arena. In timed rodeo events, | | | | sport for women. However, there are now many |
| the purpose is to make a run as fast as possible | | | | barrel racing associations that have been |
| while the time is being clocked by an electric eye, | | | | developed that allow men to join and compete as |
| (a device using a laser system to record times), | | | | well. Many local riding clubs and barrel associations |
| as well as an arena attendant or judge who | | | | also offer special classes for youth. In all, barrel |
| manually takes the time as a backup. The timer | | | | racing is really a sport for the entire family. It is |
| begins when horse and rider cross the start line, | | | | especially common to see men compete in barrel |
| and ends when the barrel pattern has been | | | | futurities which are for four and five year old |
| successfully executed and horse and rider cross | | | | barrel horses only who have not yet competed in |
| the finish line. The rider's time depends on several | | | | barrel racing. |
| factors, most commonly the barrel horses training | | | | Barrel racing has come a long way when |
| and ability to control its body to make efficient | | | | considering how much it has progressed over the |
| turns, physical and mental condition, the rider's | | | | years. It's expected that it will become even |
| horsemanship abilities, and the type of ground or | | | | more competitive as barrel horse trainer's |
| footing (the quality, depth, content, etc. of the | | | | methods and barrel horse stud owner's breeding |
| sand or dirt in the arena). | | | | programs continue to improve. Barrel racers are |
| On a standard pattern in today's professional | | | | hard workers who never lose sight of their end |
| competitions, one run is usually over in as little as | | | | goal. They don't mind making sacrifices to ensure |
| a quarter of a minute. One of fastest times | | | | they are completely prepared to compete to the |
| recorded at the National Finals Rodeo was 13.52 | | | | best of their ability. Because of the determination |
| seconds by Brandie Halls in 2006. Barrel racers are | | | | of the cowgirls of yesteryear, barrel racing is now |
| subjected to only a handful of rules as they | | | | a sport that stands out next to other sports |
| compete. One is that they not break the pattern, | | | | dominated by males. Barrel Racing is definitely an |
| doing so usually results in a disqualification. Also, | | | | event that today's horseman will continue to |
| tipping a barrel can add at least a 5 second | | | | enjoy for centuries to come. |
| penalty or at some events results in a "no time." | | | | |