To Watch Barrel Racing Arizona Is Worth Visiting

By Cynthia Brooks


Barrel racing is classified under types of rodeo. In this sport, the rider and horse are required to take the shortest time possible to complete a cloverleaf pattern around barrels. It is the use of barrels that resulted in the name barrel racing. At amateur jackpots and venues, both boys and girls may participate in this sport. However, at professional and collegiate levels, it is a rodeo event for women only. To experience barrel racing Arizona is a good location to check out.

This game was solely developed as a feminine sport as men focused more on roping, bull riding and other rodeo events. The cloverleaf and figure-eight patterns were used interchangeably initially. However, figure-eight was dropped because it was not as hard as the cloverleaf pattern. Today, it is common belief that the first barrel racing event occurred in Texas.

Several rodeo events and gymkhana include barrel racing today. There exists open barrel racing jackpots for people to compete in. Since riders belonging to one age group compete, barrel racing, keyhole, and pole bending fall in the same class of events. Gauging how fast the horse can move is the main goal of the game. Electric eyes and timer stops are the two ways through which timing is done.

Crossing the start line makes the timer to start counting. The timer stops when the horse and rider pass the finish line having made the right pattern. Time takes is dependent on various factors. The factors include ground type, horsemanship skills, mental condition of horse, and physical condition of horse.

The ground used for racing can be made in various ways. Aspects of the ground that differ are content, depth, and quality. Dirt, mud, and sand are some of the commonest contents used. Riders enter the arena at high speed and progress to make the desired turns. Timing begins immediately the arena is entered. Winning takes a high level of strength, agility, and intelligence. Maneuvering barrels in shortest distances takes strength and agility of the horse.

Winning is only dependent on taking the shortest time to complete the pattern. One can choose to start with the left or right barrel, provided they complete the desired pattern. Good horsemanship is required to score a low time. If the horse runs past a barrel, the rider is disqualified from the score. Knocking the barrel over usually results in a time penalty of five seconds. Barrels are usually knocked over the horse of the rider themselves.

When the sport began, it was very simple and disorganized. However, it has developed into one of the most complex and organized sports in the world. The sanctioning body is the Women Professional Rodeo Association abbreviated as WPRA. The body sanctions over 800 events annually. In the United States, events are promoted by two major bodies only.

Horses used for this game cost highly. High caliber ones can go for as high as one hundred dollars or more. Some of the factors that influence price are drive, intelligence, willingness to please, and athletic ability.




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