Today we’re taking it back to 1931 in Stamford, Texas. Local rodeos, big events at far away venues and more were more than used to running a gymkhana or O-Mok-See games. However, they didn’t offer any event for the ladies.

At the time ladies ran a figure 8 pattern, which is one most riders become familiar with in their lessons and day to day rides. This was an event designed for us called “barrel racing”, and it debuted in 1931. In 1935, they opted to change the figure 8 pattern to a more complex cloverleaf pattern.

Usually the distances are as follows, arena permitting for local events:

• 90 ft (27 m) between barrel 1 & 2.
• 105 ft (32 m) between barrel 1 & 3 and between 2 & 3.
• 60 ft (18 m) from barrels 1 & 2 to score line.

This became the new normal for rodeos until 1949, when it was decided that barrel racing should be a judged, and timed event for a payout. It was at this time that they made it clear this was a women’s event, and young boys and some men divisions would be allowed, but it was our time to shine in the arena finally.

Professionally, there are 12 runs on a pattern before the ground has to be re-dragged for the safety of all horses and their riders. The fastest pair through the pattern wins, a pattern break is recorded as a “no time”, hitting a barrel adds 5 seconds to your finish time and alleyway issues usually lead to elimination overall.

The National Barrel Racing Association (NBRA) requires it’s riders to wear a long sleeve shirt tucked in, western jeans with boots and a western hat. As a competitor you are required to be in your proper attire an hour before the event start time. In the arena you’ll be running around 55 gallon metal closed ended barrels with two colors on them. While there is no required horse breed for this event most of the horses you’ll see are Quarter Horses. As time has gone on people have selectively bred their horses to make the best “barrel horses”.

The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) has over 800 events a year with a payout of $3 million dollars or so these days. WPRA has worked out a happy partnership with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) to allow women to run in male dominated rodeos like the National Finals Rodeo (NFR). Luckily for girls like me this partnership went into effect in 1967 and has stayed strong since.

While I haven’t shown a day in my life, I am delighted to say my students are showing, and they are rocking the chasing can life. They have amazing idols to look up to like Fallon Taylor, who has already been mentioned in the blog. I would love to pick up barrels again, just to see what happens. Until then enjoy this introduction to barrel racing.