A solid approach makes for a solid exit. With second barrel, you want to make sure you are riding right up into the turn and getting your horse up into the “hole” (past barrel) before starting the turn (green). So often the horse and rider enter second barrel too wide, or in an arc (and hip to outside) which will …
Check your tracks whenever possible. The red line indicates where many people accidentally end up. Make sure your horse is leaving the second barrel straight and strong (green line). The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, so be sure to keep your horse between your hands and legs to help him stay on the line. Look up …
This seems pretty obvious when you look at the picture, but this can happen really easily, even to experienced racers. Check your own tracks to make sure you aren’t taking extra steps on the way to your first barrel. The tracks didn’t show up as great in the picture (and the curve looks more exaggerated than in person) but the …
Lessons From The Saddle 1 If you are having a problem with just one barrel, isolate that barrel and that problem. Don’t go through the rest of the pattern and start again just to work on your second barrel (for example). This image shows how I will approach and turn my second (in black) and if I’ve not happy with …
I’m using myself as an example of what NOT to do. It turns out (as usual) that the video doesn’t lie. I had a pretty good run, our first outdoor run of the year and we placed second in the 1D against a group of horses who were also just getting rolling this spring. Not a big jackpot, but big …
If you are confined to a small space, or the only ground you have to work on isn’t that great, you do have options. Here’s a drill that NFR Qualifier, Futurity Winner, Calgary Stampede Champion Sue Smith does that will work in those cases. When your ground is poor and also when you are just learning this drill you can …
When do I change? Where do I change and why do I change there? I’ve been to quite a few barrel racing clinics and these are common questions. How do you train your horse to change leads out of first barrel (or between first and second barrel)? I’ve heard a variety of answers all from professional barrel racers with …
High Definition videos from the WPRA of the 2013 WNFR Round Winners.
Enjoy watching all 10 rounds of the 2013 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Taylor Jacob sets a new arena record and Sherry Cervi sets an average time record while winning the World Championship.
In barrel racing, it’s those smooth and effortless looking runs that can really stop the clock. Any time we can soften our horse and gain free, easy movement we have an opportunity to improve our efficiency on the pattern. The more efficient we are, the quicker our time. There are different drills and exercises that can help with this and …
