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Barrel racing is all about speed, with no judges or subjective scoring — the clock is the only authority. Cowgirls compete not just against each other, but against time itself.
The event is elegant in its simplicity: one rider, one horse, three barrels, and a stopwatch. Competitors race their horses around a cloverleaf course of three barrels, striving for the fastest run possible.
Riders enter the arena at full speed, rounding each barrel in tight, precise turns before exiting where they began.
Once all racers have finished, the clock determines the winner. Quick and smooth wins; hesitation costs the race.
A fast horse isn’t enough — it must also be smart. Knocking over a barrel adds five penalty seconds, often ending any chance of victory.
Winning times generally range from 13 to 14 seconds, though this can vary depending on the size of the arena, since no two rodeo arenas are exactly the same.
385 Mendenhall Lane
Benton, Pa. 17814
570-925-6536
