Barrel racing is a rodeo event in which a horse and rider attempt to complete a clover-leaf pattern around preset barrels in the fastest time. This event began as a rodeo event for women, but is now commonly used by men and children. It combines the horse's athletic ability and the horsemanship skills of a rider in order to safely and successfully maneuver a horse through a clover leaf pattern around three 55 gallon metal barrels placed in a triangle in the center of an arena.
In timed rodeo events, the purpose is to make a run as fast as possible, while the time is being clocked by an electronic eye, (a device using a laser system to record times).
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).
Here at Knot Quite A Ranch, we teach many of our students to compete in barrel racing. We use the skills that barrel racing teaches us in many areas of riding. The horsemanship skills are endless that we learn through this event.