THE HISTORY OF BARREL RACING

Barrel racing, the original women’s rodeo event. Where did it start and how has it grown? Let’s take a look!

BY TIFFANY SELCHOW

■ 1963 and 1967 Women’s Professional Rodeo Association world champion barrel racer Loretta Manuel takes her black horse, Spade, through his paces at a rodeo in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1965.

■ Jimmie Gibbs barrel racing at the 1976 NFR. Courtesy of the Wyoming Room, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library

The bright lights illuminate the arena, and the buzz filling the air is almost palatable. The arena men set up the barrels as the crowd eagerly anticipates the first competitor flying down the alley, spinning around the barrels. Fiery hooves pound across the arena to the barrier, hoping and working for the best time of the night. Barrel racing is one of the most anticipated of all the rodeo events for the flash of activity and excitement but also the witnessing of the symbiosis of horse and rider at top speeds.

Barrel racing has a long and fascinating history that dates back to the early 1900s. While there is no official record of how the sport started, there are many accounts and histories from which to pull. The sport is said to have originated in the American Southwest and spread like wildfire from there.

At first, the races were informal and held at local rodeos and fairs, often being judged on appearance only. In 1931 at the Stamford Texas Cowboy Reunion, girls were added to the entertainment as parade leaders, competitors in minor rodeo activities, and dancing partners for the cowboys at the social events. In the following years, the competitors were awarded the best mount, most attractive outfit, and best horsemanship. Not until 1949 was the event judged strictly on time.

As the sport grew in popularity, it began to attract more serious competitors and larger crowds. During World War II, a rash of “all-girl rodeos” were very successful. Once the men returned home, things returned to how they were before, leaving few opportunities for women to compete.

Barrel races started by using either a figure eight or a cloverleaf pattern. The figure eight pattern was eventually dropped as the cloverleaf was a more difficult choice, which is how it remains today. There isn’t an official size of the barrel pattern. Still, according to the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association, the standard is “ninety feet between barrel one and two, one hundred five feet between barrel one and three, and between barrel two and three. Sixty feet from barrels one and two to the score line. The score line should be at least sixty feet from the end of the arena, if allowed, and not less than forty-five feet.”

The sport continues to evolve, with riders experimenting with different techniques and strategies to improve their times. Erin Miller Besiel, a modern and highly successful barrel racer, is often in the limelight for her unique training methods and tools. In 2020, after a successful year of racing and two consecutive round wins at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the internet buzzed about the rubber bands around her forearms connected to her saddle swells. While the technique was nontraditional, the explanation was logical. She has a habit of popping her elbows out, which opens the door for behaviors she may not find desirable in her horse. So her solution, since childhood, is the rubber bands that help her focus on keeping her elbows in the proper place.

Today, barrel racing is among the most popular events at rodeos and horse shows worldwide. It remains a challenging and demanding sport that requires a combination of skill, athleticism, and teamwork. Riders must have a strong bond with their horses, relying on them to navigate the course quickly and safely. They must also be able to make split-second decisions and adjust their speed and direction as needed to avoid knocking over a barrel or incurring penalties.

Despite the challenges, barrel racing continues to attract new generations of riders and fans alike. It is a thrilling and exciting sport that celebrates the partnership between horse and rider and the spirit of competition and adventure at the heart of rodeo culture.