Barrel racing

Barrel racing
NicknamesBarrels, chasing cans
Characteristics
Mixed-sexGenerally women and girls, some men and boys at local and youth levels
Type
EquipmentHorse, horse tack
VenueIndoor or outdoor riding arena

Barrel racing is a rodeo event in which a horse and rider attempt to run a cloverleaf pattern around preset barrels in the fastest time. In collegiate and professional ranks, it is usually a women's event, though both sexes compete at amateur and youth levels. It requires a combination of the horse's athletic ability and the horsemanship skills of a rider in order to safely and successfully maneuver the horse around three barrels placed in a triangle pattern within a large arena.