Barrel Racing for Beginners:
How to Get Started

Truly forming in Florida in 1950 into what we know it to be, barrel racing is a well-loved sport and a fast-growing equestrian discipline. Today it is comparable to other rodeo sports in terms of stature and prize money, making it a competitive professional arena. Though it is a demanding sport, it is extremely rewarding for riders who are up to the challenge. In this article, RW-sponsored rider Krista Williams gives valuable insight into the sport of barrel racing, as well as how to enter and what to look for in your next equine partner.

Krista is a trustworthy voice in the sport, having built herself from the ground up and always putting the horses first. Her knowledge of horsemanship and year-round preparation has led her to where she is today: one of the leading barrel racers and a very prominent name on the West Coast. Watch and read along as we dive into her advice and insight!

Barrel Racing Basics

Barrel racing is a timed event for primarily female riders to test their communication and finesse with their horse. The pattern that is run is the same at all barrel races, with only the distance between the barrels changing. The pattern can be run with the left barrel or the right barrel first; this is because in the pattern, your first barrel is on one lead and the following two barrels are on the other lead. So, if your horse favors one lead over the other, you can adjust to give them the best opportunity to succeed during a run.

Barrel racing is judged on time exclusively with penalty points added for tipped barrels or lost hats. This means that if you and your horse knock down a barrel, 5 seconds are added to your run time. So if you knock down two barrels that's 10 seconds of added time, and 15 seconds for all three barrels. Additionally, if a rider loses their hat during the run, 5 seconds are added to their time. These are known as "fines" and are things you want to avoid in competition.

Divisions are determined by the fastest times at the present competition. Usually, there will be four divisions: 1D, 2D, 3D, and 4D. The fastest time for the pattern will mark the leader in the 1D. Riders who are half a second slower than the fastest time will be in the 2D. Riders who fall between those two benchmark times are placed in the 1D. A full second slower than the fastest 1D time is the benchmark for the 3D, and 2 seconds slower than the fastest 1D time is the benchmark for the 4D.

Other divisions can be determined by the horse's age. These will be referred to as futurity or derby classes. Derby classes are typically for 6-year-old horses, and futurity classes are for 4- to 5-year-olds. A jackpot race uses the same division organization but with more prize money on the line.

Dress for the Rider:

If you look like you know what you're doing, you're already halfway there. Krista always keeps this in mind when she is at a race. Since the goal is to perform at a professional level, then that professionalism should continue to the barn. One way to keep that mentality is to stay in full dress for the entirety of the competition. Figure that the barrel race is a job and your "uniform" presents a serious look for others to see. If other competitors and spectators view you as a professional, you are more likely to view yourself as a professional.

By doing so, you can build confidence in and out of the arena. Just as you want a confident horse, a confident rider will give you a competitive edge. We all know that wearing a favorite pair of jeans can give a boost to anyone's day, so if such a simple thing can help when you're at a race, why not do it? You can never go wrong with a classic Western button-down, and Krista loves competing in the Royal Highness Ladies' Button Shirt wtith Zipper. Krista is also a big fan of Ariat denim, and you will more often than not see her running barrels in Ariat!

Tack for the Horse:

Using well-taken care of and properly fitting tack is a simple way to give you and your horse the best shot at a run. Barrel-style saddles are favored by riders due to their slender horn and deep seat. Riders want the ability to pop out of their saddle when needed but also the ability to sit deep and connect to the horse. The ideal bridles and bits are determined by what your horse needs, as some do fine with a simple snaffle and others need a larger shank. Practicing with your horse and trying new things before competition will let you build your best tack setup.

Breast collars and auxiliary pieces of equipment like tie-downs are used based on what your horse needs and should always be tried at home before being used at a show. Again, for some horses less is more, and for others, more equipment is needed.

Lastly, sports medicine boots are favored by barrel racers but boots from other disciplines are beginning to become more and more popular. Open-front jump boots are being recognized for their protective qualities and ease of use. Similar to bridles and bits, you should run in whatever tack is safe and works for you and your horse. You do not have to wear certain tack or clothes because the status quo says so. Remember it should all be fun!

Arguably the most important aspect of being a successful competitor is the behind-the-scenes horse care. Again, these horses are athletes and should be treated as such. Krista's horses are no exception, getting treatments after every race and most rides. Her horse-care regime includes Back On Track therapeutic tack, electrolytes, consistent icing, poulticeing, liniment, and standing wraps. Each of these treatments contributes a different benefit, but they all work together to keep the horse feeling their best. None of it takes very long, and it is beyond worth it in the long run to preserve your partner!

Krista's Must-Have Products:

Being prepared is a skill and a gift all in one. Krista always has these items on hand to guarantee that, no matter the situation, her horses are covered. Using Magic Cushion and Pack-n-Stick Hoof Wraps has been a game-changer for Krista. No more messy application and annoying duct tape that doesn't stay stuck. Hoof wraps are used to provide a little extra support for horses who have worked extra hard or have sensitive feet. Think of them as therapeutic slippers that you wear after exercise! These wraps cut her application time in half, and she can rely on them to keep her remedies in the right place.

Additionally, the CoolMax Standing Wraps are a staple for Krista since they protect horses' legs and wick off moisture simultaneously. This gives Krista peace of mind when traveling with wraps on her horses or staying somewhere hot and humid. No more sweaty, overheating legs!

Lastly, Krista always has the EasyCare Cloud Boots at the ready. Perfect for horses who are barefoot and standing in the trailer for extended periods, these boots keep the athlete's feet in tip-top shape, from the moment they step on the trailer for the race to when they finally arrive back home. You can't go wrong with having these in the trailer; they last forever and give you peace of mind when you're someplace new!

Expect to Put in Hard Work

The Horse's Work:

Expecting your horse to perform is part of the sport, but you cannot expect them to perform their best if they are not prepared to be the best version of themselves. To keep her horses fit and happy, Krista incorporates a variety of activities into their weekly schedule. Common in her preparation, Krista ponies one of her horses and rides the other for many of their activities. This lets them exercise without the weight of a rider and tack on their back. Saving their backs can keep horses happy and sound while helping them build muscle more easily and work on cardio strength with less interference.

One activity that can be done with a riding horse and a pony horse is a long trot. This is more similar to an endurance ride than a skill ride. If you are fortunate enough to have trails or safe roads nearby, this can be a great mental and physical outlet for horses. Additionally, breezing your horses (maybe excluding the ponying aspect) is a great way for horses to stretch their legs and truly let them be horses. By including these activities, horses view the arena as their happy place and know that when they enter, a fun job is ahead of them.

Read more in Krista's article on Reasons to Ride Your Horse Out of the Arena!

The Rider's Work:

At some point or another, every equestrian has had to defend the sport as actually being a sport. Often the counterargument is "you just sit there" or "the horse does all the work." In reality, these horses are athletes, and if you expect your horse to be an athlete then you better be one too. This means doing more than just riding your horse for exercise. Krista explains that to keep her fitness in line with her horses, she keeps a strict diet and goes to the gym every single day. She (along with other top equestrian athletes) finds that improving her strength and cardio allows her to focus more on specific skills rather than trying to keep up with her horse.

Of course, everyone's personal needs determine how severe this portion of preparation needs to be. For someone just getting into the sport, this level of auxiliary work may seem like too much. But if you are in it for the long haul and truly want to excel in the sport, then this level of commitment needs to happen in some shape or form.

Commitment is (Also) Key

Coming into a sport is already hard, but trying to become the best is even harder. While this might be the starry-eyed goal of everyone coming into barrel racing, it is important to remember that it is only one accomplishment in the grander sea of possible achievements. Krista points out that success is great, but it's not everything. The journey to the top is incredibly rewarding and can teach you more than you thought possible.

Looking For Your Next Caliber Horse:

Everyone has different qualities they look for in a horse, and no specific qualities determine which horse will be successful. Conformation and bloodlines can be helpful indicators of which horse will succeed, but ultimately it comes down to heart and will. Krista has identified which traits are most important when looking for her next mount. She wants a horse who is tall and lanky and is a free runner, which means that they are comfortable in their movement and she isn't constantly having to push for that more powerful gait. She also seeks out horses who are confident, strong-willed, and maybe a little bit arrogant. All of these qualities make a good competition horse who is less likely to be spooked by unusual arenas and truly wants to do the job.

By having these qualities in a horse, it means that she doesn't have to train in the will of the horse. Lots of people look for these traits after they find good bloodlines or strong conformation. A horse might look perfect and have a great build, but if they don't want to run the pattern, there is little you can do to convince them.

For anyone thinking about getting into barrel racing: Do it! Taking the jump into a new sport is scary, but there are so many resources available that help make it a very achievable goal. Utilizing the help around you is the fastest way to gain progress in the sport. Additionally, don't get discouraged by a seemingly inferior horse. If the work and time are put in, almost any horse can be a future champion! Thanks for reading and watching this beginner's guide to professional barrel racing with Krista Williams. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our helpful customer service team at info@ridingwarehouse.com or by calling 1-800-620-9145. Ride on!

Further Reading

• Wrangler on The History of Barrel Racing
• WPRA on Women's Professional Rodeo
• WCBRA on West Coast Barrel Racing
• Better Barrel Races on General Information and Calendar
• National Barrel Horse Association on General Information and Calendar