by: Lyndee Stairs, July 2012
When I get to the barrel race or rodeo, the first thing I do is go and pay my fees. The very next thing I do is check out the lay (set up) of the arena.
In other words, is it a long arena with the third barrel sitting in the middle of the pen with no fence near it? If it is, warm your horse up with set in mind. Help him to rate, collect him with two hands and then turn.
Now, smaller arenas require a different strategy. If it is a short distance from the last barrel to the fence, you want a lot of run to it and a quick snappy turn. In a smaller or tight pattern, quick and snappy will get you a check. There is no long run between barrels to make up any time on a small pattern.
In a small pattern you really have to push to the third because you don’t have the momentum built up from the long run there. In some patterns, set close to the fences, your horse will shut down and too early and hit a barrel.
Also, ride to keep your horses body straight and your body straight and foreward until you get to the point where you want to turn, riding two handed to this point, always helps me.
Sometimes a horse sets too soon and so does the rider. Then pretty soon this becomes a habit for both... SO DON’T.
If your horses tends to run by the third, be sure and work on set and your timing.
I have always found that going back after I make a run at home and evaluating my horses tracks help me to figure out what is going wrong.
As you go to the third barrel, don’t move out and then back in either. This can cause your horse to hit the barrel or come off wide. Maybe some roll backs on the fence will help you to teach your horse to make a snappy turn.
If your horse is sore or hurting somewhere he may not be wanting to make a snappy turn. He may need to see a Vet or?
Having someone video you from different angles and/or possibly getting professional help could help to find the cause of a bad barrel turn. Because barrel racing problems can develop slowly over time another set of eyes may be just what is needed. This is especially true of a last barrel. Because, you can be having a great run and make a little mistake on the third and still place. Over time this can become a disaster.
Remember: Size up the arena, rate properly, have the correct amount of pocket, and don’t release your horse’s head too soon or too late. But, most of all, enjoy barrel racing.
And since this is July, I want to mention Salinas Rodeo. On the horse race track with 53 feet between barrels one and two. 90 feet to barrel number three. Barrels one and two are on the fences and three is in the open. So you really have to have a game plan for this one.
Don’t shoot too high up the track and miss number one. Be sure and finish turn number one because there is not much of a chance to move over in the 53 feet to number two. Ride hard across the pen because the barrels sit close to the fences and grandstands tending to make most horses rate hard. Be sure to finish turn number two since it is pretty straight to barrel three. Set and turn number three snappy and run home. Such a thrill, right?
