please read me...

[starfire11]

who here does barrel racing, and for how long?

[aphagirlie05]

I barrel race, but at the moment I'm on hiatus and am giving my barrel horse a break because I have some other big horse shows coming up with my instructor's arabs. Tecnically I've been racing for two seasons, seeing as I started last around midyear and finished a season with my circuit, then started this year with my circuit and ended midyear, kinda sorta. It's great fun! :D

[doris]

We do have barrel racing here in the UK, but it's not widely done. Only in a few of the Western shows. The western scene is growing in popularity here though.
I don't participate in western classes, but do like to have a little ride in my western saddles sometimes. I enjoy going to watch the Quarter Horse shows that are held quite near to me.

[*MiRi*]

what is barrel racing?

xox

[aphagirlie05]

Barrel racing is also know as Cloverleaf Barrels and 3D barrels. It's a pattern race in which you compete against the clock and other horses for the first place ribbon, prize money, buckle, etc. It's really big over here in the US, especially down south. There are three barrels set up in a "clover" pattern. They technically form a triangle, with two barrels at the bottom across from each other, and another barrel forming the top point of the triangle. It doesn't matter which barrel you start on, be it left or right. I prefer to start to the right because my horse picks up the right lead first. You then circle the barrel and run as fast as you can to the next one, where you continue the circle and make a figure eight. Then you come around the outside of the second barrel and high tail it for the third, which you turn around and head for home.

A lot of people say "turn and burn" when your running on the last turn, or "break bad and bring it home". Basically, most horses are flying around the pattern, and like my gelding, they know the last barrel is the one they're supposed to tear around like bats out of you know where. JB turns on the speed and just digs in and flys home once we pass that last turn. It's loads of fun, and if you're really good you can win pretty good amounts of money.

Barrel Racing often receives ridicule though because some of the horses are not properly trained. They're just trained to run, and are extremely hard to control, which leads to the use of "training" tools such as tie downs and harsh bits such as wire and chain gags, etc. My horse has a reining bit, soft and gentle on his mouth. I also don't use a tie down, a personal preference of mine. We never practice the pattern all out at home, we only go fast at the shows, it's essential to training your horse to be a good riding horse and one that can really run at shows.

[*MiRi*]

wow!! thank

sounds complicated...at least i have a basic idea!

thank again

xox

[lawgirl]

miri,

It really sounds more complicated then it is, it is great fun. It is a rodeo event, so if you get a chance to watch a rodeo on any of your cable channels, you will see barrel racing. It is a womens sport for a rodeo.


Wendy

[cvb]

rodeo - on European cable channels - we should be so lucky ! ;)

[Dixie Cowgirl]

I have. I was ten when I started. I'm fifteen now. You do the math :)

It's amazing, and I love it.

Feel free to email me - twiztedwishes@aol.com - if you want to talk about it.

[buffy_vampire]

I do barrel racing and pole bending i started when i was 11 and im 14 now... so ya know... it is very complicating at first.. lol trust me i know.. but after you get the hang of it, its a lot easier to handle....

[Izod1360]

barrel racing isnt hard at all! i used to do but i ride english now!

[Luv 2 Trot]

Hi,
I did Barrel Racing and Pole Bending once at a horse show. It was so much fun. My horse really liked it too. I didnt find it that complicated after watching everyone do it during the whole show season. I thought i'd give it a shot and i cant wait to do it again!! Have fun when u do it!!