Women Excel At Competitive Barrel Races

Posted by The Popular News Today on Thursday, June 27, 2013

By Freda Watts


Barrel racing is the biggest event for women on the rodeo circuit. The event involves riding around three barrels set in a diamond pattern in a field. Riders must direct their mounts through a clover leaf pattern. Barrel races take less than 17 seconds to complete. Competitors are often so close there are hundredths of a second separating one from another.

This crowd pleasing activity has risen from modest beginnings during the period marked by the Great Depression. Its origins have been traced to the Lone Star State. A small city in the western portion of Texas is recognized as being the location for the first recorded event. More specifically, it was first held at the Texas Cowboy Reunion in Stamford. This weekend rodeo in 1932 incorporated a horsemanship competition for girls in its program. The context required riders to race round barrels in a figure eight design.

This pattern was changed to a clover leaf form in 1935. Since then this arrangement has become universally utilized. However, during the early period, the two initial patterns. Eventually, the more difficult pattern was favored by competitive events. Only from 1949 has the race been judged by the shortest time take to run the course.

The individual and the steed must race at quickly in snug turns without coming in contact with the arranged obstacles. The need for strength, agility, and speed is a test for the horse. The combined efforts of the horse and rider are at their best demonstrations of a magical harmony. This develops over a period of time as competitors become more seasoned. The exacting demands of the sport have been a decisive factor in its growing appeal.

The first marker has become known as the money barrel as this turn determines the fate of the run. The game has evolved over the years. While the horses originally used were animals found unsuitable for other equine events. Now, professional trainers specialize in training for this purpose.

Breeders are raising horses for this objective as well. The archetypal steed needs to be speedy and able to manage its velocity. It needs to preserve its poise and make the meticulous turns at high speeds required by the course. The busy travel schedules can also test endurance in a different way. The charger needs to maintain competitive hunger while taking tournament stresses in stride.

Certain inherent traits and physical factors make some types of horses optimal contestants. Quarter horses are the most common breed. Their ability for speed spurts over a short distance is needed. Appaloosas, paints and Arabians are also popular breeds. They are selected for their special attributes. Intelligence, agility, athleticism, sturdiness, powerful legs, a low center of gravity and a good distribution of weight are some of the reasons for their appeal.

There has been continued progress. Breeding programs have developed enhanced products and training techniques have gotten better. Once restricted to women, men have entered competitions. Special bodies have been established for males participating in barrel races. Youth training offered by racing bodies and many regional and local organizations helps to grow the sport. In this activity the whole family can participate.




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