Wednesday, May 18, 2016

To Watch Barrel Racing Arizona Is Worth Visiting

By Cynthia Brooks


Rodeo has many events classified under it and barrel racing is among them. The game requires using the shortest possible time to go around barrels while forming a desired pattern, usually cloverleaf. The name derived from the fact that barrels were used in the sport. Both genders are allowed to participate at lower levels of the game. Professionally, it is a feminine sport with only female participants taking part. To enjoy watching barrel racing Arizona offers a good destination to tour. There are many annual events held in Arizona with participants competing in this game.

This game was solely developed as a feminine sport as men focused more on roping, bull riding and other rodeo events. The cloverleaf and figure-eight patterns were used interchangeably initially. However, figure-eight was dropped because it was not as hard as the cloverleaf pattern. Today, it is common belief that the first barrel racing event occurred in Texas.

In modern time, barrel racing is usually included in gymkhana and most rodeo events. Also, there are open barrel racing jackpots. Keyhole, pole bending, and barrel racing fall under the same group since they all involve riders from the same age group. The aim of this game is to make the horse move as fast as it can. Timing is done in two main ways, that is, using an electric eye or a timer stop.

Crossing the start line makes the timer to start counting. The timer stops when the horse and rider pass the finish line having made the right pattern. Time takes is dependent on various factors. The factors include ground type, horsemanship skills, mental condition of horse, and physical condition of horse.

The ground used for racing can be made in various ways. Aspects of the ground that differ are content, depth, and quality. Dirt, mud, and sand are some of the commonest contents used. Riders enter the arena at high speed and progress to make the desired turns. Timing begins immediately the arena is entered. Winning takes a high level of strength, agility, and intelligence. Maneuvering barrels in shortest distances takes strength and agility of the horse.

Winning is only dependent on taking the shortest time to complete the pattern. One can choose to start with the left or right barrel, provided they complete the desired pattern. Good horsemanship is required to score a low time. If the horse runs past a barrel, the rider is disqualified from the score. Knocking the barrel over usually results in a time penalty of five seconds. Barrels are usually knocked over the horse of the rider themselves.

This sport was only basic and highly disorganized when it first started. Currently, it has grown in sophistication and organization. In the United States, WPRA is the body that sanctions the game in the whole country. More than eight hundred games are sanctioned by this body every year. Promotion is performed by only two key organization in the whole country.

It costs a lot to acquire a good horse for this game. The cost of a high caliber horse ranges in excess of a hundred thousand dollars. Factors that determine cost include athletic ability, drive, willingness to please, and intelligence.




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