How Do You Compete In A Barrel Racing Event?
Barrel racing is a fast-paced, thrilling event that keeps everyone out of their seat – even the rider! Get a fast horse. The trick to barrel racing is precision and speed. Typically barrel racers use quarter horses for this event because of their speed, but Morgans, Appaloosas, paint horses and even Arabians excel at this speedy sport. Hold on. Barrel racers barely sit in their saddles; they’re riding so fast they often lean forward, slightly out of their saddle, to impel the horse forward. Run your pattern. The barrel racing pattern consists of three barrels placed in a triangle at the opposite end of the arena from where the horse enters, the top of the triangle being the farthest away. The pattern makes a three-leaf clover. Gallop into the arena and make an outside turn (turn to the outside) at either of the side barrels. Round the barrel and cross the arena to the top side of the opposite barrel, making a figure eight in the middle of the arena. Make another outside turn. Head up t
