Barrel racing originated in 1928 in Stamford, Texas, with two barrels forming a figure eight course for horses and riders. The addition of a third barrel and the adoption of the clover pattern occurred in 1935, but it wasn’t until 1948 that it gained recognition as a sport. In 1949, barrel racing evolved into its current form, where riders and horses are evaluated based on their speed in completing the barrel course without causing it to fall or be disturbed. While touching the barrels is allowed, any bumping or knocking them over will result in additional time being added to the racer’s final time. Typically, each knocked over barrel incurs a five-second penalty, meaning that if all three barrels are knocked over, the rider will receive a fifteen-second penalty.
Barrel racing is typically assessed in a 4D format, where the fastest time belongs to the 1st division. The 2nd division includes the fastest time with an additional half second, the 3rd division incorporates the fastest time with an extra 1 second, and the 4th division consists of the fastest time with an extra 2 seconds. Occasionally, there are variations in judging, such as a 3D or 5D format. In the 3D format, the assessment stops at the 3rd division, while in the 5D format, the 5th division involves the fastest time with an additional 4 seconds. The specific times may slightly differ depending on the barrel race type and judging criteria.
Barrel racing is also classified into various categories, including Divisional, Jackpot, Futurity, and Rodeo.
- Divisional: Probably the most well-known amateur barrel racing event. This event attracts a lot of competitors which can make the race last quite a while, especially since this race is run one racer at a time. The ground conditions at divisional barrel races are usually in good condition which helps horses get their footing for their turns easier.
- Jackpot: The same as divisional barrel races but the payoff is higher for the riders. Ground conditions are usually good in this version of barrel racing as well.
- Futurity: These races are for the future barrel racing horses and their riders. Only younger horses, between 4-5 years old, are to be entered in futurity races. You do not want to enter a horse that is too young into barrel racing because their bones and joints have not fully set, and barrel racing is tough on horse’s joints so this could cause injury that might not be able to heal for your horse. The ground conditions at futurity barrel races are the best out of all four categories of barrel racing.
- Rodeo: Very well-known among riders and people who aren’t as involved in horses and racing. Rodeo’s draw an extremely large crowd which can be a little bit intimidating for horses and their riders. Ground conditions are not ideal at the rodeo due to all the activity on them. Since ground conditions aren’t as good here, the riders really have to help their horse in their turns. With the three prior categories of races, since the ground conditions are consistent at each race, their horse can get into a groove of running. Whereas in the rodeo, the grounds can vary at each race, which means that the horse and their rider must engage with each other that much more.
Off to a Good Start: Buying a Beginner Barrel Horse
Even experienced competitors may find the process of buying a horse frustrating and time-consuming. For those who are new to the sport or have no prior experience in purchasing horses, the task can be even more intimidating. Tammy Fischer and Joy Wargo, professional barrel racers, have offered their top advice on how to choose a beginner barrel horse, which will mark the beginning of your barrel racing journey.
When going through a to-do list, it is helpful to visually check off completed tasks by marking a box next to each item. This allows for easy tracking of progress and helps to ensure that no tasks are overlooked.
Fischer, who has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo and has a lot of experience coaching riders through clinics and lessons, advises disregarding appearances and instead recognizing that horses have their own personalities. This important factor should be taken into consideration to find a compatible partnership for success.
According to Fischer, many individuals wish to purchase an aesthetically pleasing horse, hence they base their decision solely on the horse’s appearance or its demonstrated abilities as seen in a video. However, this approach results in purchasing a horse based on its previous performance with another person. Fischer emphasizes the importance of personally trying the horse by riding it to ensure that it meets one’s expectations, as the compatibility between two personalities is crucial.
In terms of strategy, Fischer recommends prioritizing safety over speed when making a purchase. According to her, acquiring a horse that is proficient in its duties and can successfully navigate the arena by completing three barrel turns at a manageable pace will provide you with a solid foundation. Subsequently, this will allow you to progress to a swifter horse in due course.
Questions to Inquire About
Both Fischer and Wargo are in agreement that acquiring comprehensive knowledge about the horse’s daily behavior outside of the routine will aid in selecting a suitable companion that aligns with your lifestyle.
According to Wargo, the first step is to determine your comfort level regarding the horse’s quirks. Are you fine with a horse that is unpredictable or touchy, or one that needs to be trained if you skip riding days? Alternatively, do you prefer a calm and quiet horse? It is important to establish whether you need a horse that can stand still and be tied to the trailer all day, or if you are okay with one that paws, kicks, or paces in its stall. Additionally, it is essential to know the horse’s behavior outside of the barrel race and any maintenance issues it may have, as this information will help you in maintaining the horse’s soundness, happiness, health, and performance.
When choosing a horse for a beginner, it is important to consider whether the horse can handle repetitive practice sessions. It should be noted that not all barrel horses are able to go through the barrels 10 times a day at home.
Fischer stated that in order to improve as a rider, it is essential for those with less experience to practice the events. It is important to consider whether the horse can tolerate practice, as different horses have varying capacities for repetition. Certain horses are only able to endure a small amount of work on the barrels before becoming excessively agitated, resulting in poor performance.
Where should we direct our gaze?
Fischer and Wargo suggest starting the horse search process by networking at local barrel races to build relationships with trustworthy individuals, rather than relying on the numerous ads on social media and horse sale websites.
Fischer advised that once you have a horse, it is important to attend events in your desired competition to make friends and connect with knowledgeable individuals who can provide guidance. In addition to browsing ads, it is crucial to educate yourself about the sport. Fischer suggested observing skilled riders and then approaching them for assistance. Fischer emphasized that just like in other sports such as baseball, basketball, or volleyball, one should not attempt to learn and excel on their own. Instead, they should join a team, find a coach, and seek help. However, Fischer noted that when it comes to barrel racing, many individuals rely solely on ads and online resources, lacking the necessary support and guidance.
Wargo suggests seeking advice from a futurity trainer as they possess knowledge about bloodlines, soundness issues, conformation, and potential pattern-related problems. Even if one does not intend to own a young futurity horse, consulting with a trainer can still be beneficial.
