Becoming a barrel racer means that you need to be a skillful rider, because you need to be able to control an animal that is twice your size. Barrel racing has a long history of skillful horse riders that enjoy the sport for it's beauty.
Barrel Racing has been around since about the 1930’s, but in 1948 it was actually announced a women’s sport. As it has progressed throughout many many years women, men, and children are able to barrel race. According to, "About Barrel Racing." Ibra.us.” “Barrel racing is a rodeo event that was primarily for women. It's thought that barrel racing began in 1948, and was invented by the Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA). The WPRA was made up of a group of women from Texas, and the sport has been modified to be a modern event. Speed was not as much of a factor in the results as the rider’s outfit and horsemanship by maneuvering through the designated pattern. This was an event for women, while the men participated in the athletic rodeo events like roping, and bull or bronco riding. In early barrel racing the pattern went back and forth between a figure eight and the cloverleaf pattern. Then eventually the cloverleaf pattern stuck and became the pattern they would use all the time.” Barrel racing did first start out as just a women’s sport there was absolutely no men or children that were aloud to barrel race. Now that it has progressed throughout the years men, women, and children can barrel race. The National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA), International Barrel Racing Association (IBRA), and many more. There is also rodeos that you can compete in, if you win you can go to a bunch of different states to compete. In order to become a successful barrel racer, a person should follow certain techniques. According to, "Seven Habits of Highly Effective Barrel Racers." “Quarter Horses are preferred for barrel racing, but many Appaloosas are suitable too. Sport boots, bridle and bit, saddle, and saddle pad is the equipment you need. Staying seated deep in the saddle when you go around a barrel and grab the horn so you stay balanced. Pull your hand back toward your hip or your pant pocket. This should tip your horse’s nose toward the barrel, and the rest of his body will follow their nose into the turn, but make sure you don’t pull your hand to far then your horse might knock the barrel or you could even catch the barrel with your leg and knock it. Your horse should bend their entire body around the barrel, not just their neck, so remember to also use your inside leg when you ask for each turn. You want to try and aim for a faster time each show you go to. For example, if the first show you run a 22.67 then the next show you might want to try and run a 21, 20, or less.” Quarter horses are preferred for barrel racing because they are the only breed of horse that can run a quarter mile the fastest. So that is how they got their name Quarter horse. For your equipment you don’t have to have a saddle pad to put under your saddle, but it is preferred so that the saddle doesn’t rub the hair on your horse’s back off and make them sore. If you stay seated deep in the saddle then you will most likely not fall off, but there is always that chance of something going wrong and falling off. You have to use cues when going around the barrels so that your horse knows which way it has to go and so that it knows they aren’t supposed to slow down around the barrels. Also you want to try and improve your time at each show so that you can try to place higher and get more points at the end. There are many benefits of barrel racing, but not all of the benefits have the same effect on people as it does others. There is positive character traits, physical health, cardio benefits, problem solving, psychological health, companionship, socialization, competition, and relaxation. According to, "Certified Horsemanship Association: Benefits of Horseback Riding." “Positive Character Traits, teaches responsibility to those who ride and even more so to those who take care of horses. Physical Health, riders can develop better reflexes and a sense of balance and coordination as they use their entire body to guide and propel the horse forward. Cardio benefits, riding, lifting saddles onto the back of a horse, mucking stalls, and moving hay bales. Problem solving, if a horse is set on going one way and the rider wants to go the other, he/she has to determine how to make them go the direction the rider wants to. Psychological health, when a rider learns how to stay on and also meet goals set by a riding instructor or themselves, those feelings of "I can do this," really make an impact. Companionship, being able to communicate and interact with an animal has already been shown to have a positive effect on people. Socialization, riders will socialize with their horses, each other, their riding instructors, employees at the barn, and those at competitions. Competition, those who like to compete have a number of disciplines and horse sports to choose from in order to compete with their equine partner. Relaxation, when a horse walks with a rider on their back, the rider's pelvis moves in the same motion as if he or she were walking.” These benefits influence me because I have to throw hay everyday. When it’s time to ride I have to be able to put my heavy saddle on my horse. Also when I ride my hips move like I’m taking a walk while riding my horse. There is a lot of competition in barrel racing you have enemies you want to beat, and you have friends you don’t want to beat. But you want to beat your friends so that you can place higher in the division. Then again you don’t because you don’t want them to be mad at you. Barrel racing has a long history of skillful horse riders that enjoy the sport for it's beauty. Barrel Racing has been around since about the 1930’s, but in 1948 it was announced a women’s sport. As it has progressed throughout many many years women, men, and children are able to barrel race. Pick the horse you might think would be the best, purchase your tack, regular exercise, staying anchored in the saddle, slow down at the barrels, pick the pocket, use cues, “the finish line”, and increase your speed each time you go to a show. There are many benefits of barrel racing, but not all of the benefits have the same effect on some people as it does others. Works Cited "About Barrel Racing." Ibra.us. Web. 01 Feb. 2017. "Certified Horsemanship Association: Benefits of Horseback Riding." Certified Horsemanship Association - Certified Horseback Riding Instructors. Web. 01 Feb. 2017. "Seven Habits of Highly Effective Barrel Racers." Horse Experts, Horse Training, Equestrian Resources. Web. 03 Feb. 2017.
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