How's that for holding our own against the QUARTER HORSES!!? 

Forever Fyre

Princess Shetan

 I currently compete with the Iowa NBHA district 5 ( www.ianbha.com ).  There are districts for each state and you can find out information for your area by going to www.nbha.com .  I am a 2 time World Championship Show Qualifier and my daughter who is turning 12 this year, is a one time World Show Youth Qualifier.  We also compete in other shows around the area.  You can find more info on other shows by going to www.barrelbash.com or www.betterbarrelraces.com .  

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Barrel Racing!  It is a sport for everyone. This activity offers to its enthusiasts the relaxation of the outdoors coupled with the excitement of speed and the unparallel connection with an animal many times larger, stronger, and faster than the individual mounted on top. The only judge involved is the clock. You won't find any style preferences, attitude, or subjective opinions here.

Barrel racing has been around for years. It has been a game event in numerous competitions for decades where men, women, and children have enjoyed displaying their expertise at top speed for all to see. Most often the first exposure to it comes from watching the Rodeos. The cowboys introduced barrel racing into their list of events so their wives and girlfriends would have something to compete in at the Rodeos. However, throughout the
rest of the world it is open to and participated in by all.

The race is relatively simple at first glance. It consists of  three barrels placed at specified distances in an arena in a triangular pattern, referred to as a cloverleaf pattern. Different associations have their own recommended distances. A general guideline would be ninety feet from the first to second barrel and ninety feet to the third. These distances vary anywhere from sixty to one hundred and five feet. However, once set, it remains the same for all competitors in that race. The competitor enters the arena at one end and proceeds at top speed around the first barrel and then proceeds across the arena to the second, which must be turned in the opposite direction from the
first. Next they proceed down the arena to the third barrel, which must be turned in the same direction as the second barrel. Then it's down the centerline at breakneck speed across the finish line. That's it, fastest time wins.

Barrel racing is a wonderful activity for anyone who enjoys being outdoors, excitement, an adrenalin rush, and the chance to really communicate with horses. When you travel at top speed your communication skills need to be on time and accurate. This is one sport that seems to hold the interest of entire families. Even the teenagers stay with it. That could be due to the fact that most of the time you win cash and not ribbons.

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