Barrel Racing: Then and Now

Barrel racing is one of Equestrian Americas most popular pastimes. The first barrel race took place when women wanted an event to compete against each other that would be challenging. The idea they came up with was taking 55 gallon barrels and setting them up in a cloverleaf pattern. The pattern has one right turn and two lefts. They would take their husbands roping horses and see who could get through the course with the fastest time without knocking over the barrels.

Barrel racing today is more intricate. It is something that you and your horse have to be in tune with each other to compete in. It requires stamina, concentration and harmonization from both the rider and the horse. Running fast does not win a barrel race, there is much more to it than that. But how has barrel racing changed since then? How could something so easy be any different now.

To find out what has changed we go to the era of the True Cowgirl. When women were tough and horses swift. You didn't have all the gimmicks we have now, tack selection was low, you raced with what you had. There wasn't a saddle made specifically for barrel racing, so most were heavy roping saddles with low cantles and large horns. The bits of choice were usually larger bits, with long shanks. Stiff curb bits, mechanical hackamores and o-ring snaffles were the majority of what you saw in the rodeo arena. Attached to these bits were reins of thick webbing with a large rubber grip to better aid you in pulling your horse around the barrel. If your horse wore any protection on his legs, it wasn't much. Skid boots and splint boots were all that were offered. There was no neoprene or other orthopedic options.