A lot of work goes on behind the scenes before you gallop toward your first barrel. If you haven’t done the proper preparation before the rodeo, you’re not going to get fast barrel times. Kelly Murphy, a barrel racing...
There’s never a dull moment for barrel racer Fallon Taylor. From qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) seven times and winning the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association world title in 2014, to creating her own clothing line and launching...
Q: I’m teaching my horse the barrel pattern, but I can’t keep him in a lope. How do I fix this?A: If your horse is young, he may not be strong enough behind to hold his inside hind...
Blistering turns and smokin’ straight-a-ways mean big wins at gymkhana events. It’s also incredibly fun! On the other hand, top speeds and tight turns put extreme demands on your horse’s body. Running patterns frequently puts undue stress and strain...
That rush of adrenaline powers you through the cloverleaf pattern, knowing that just a hundredth of a second will make all the difference— every move must be flawless.Champion barrel racer Michele McLeod has experienced many such perfect runs, winning...
In September 2014, the second annual Ultimate X Showdown in Ohio gave barrel racing trainers a chance to showcase off-track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs) in a somewhat unexpected sport. Each trainer selected a horse with no training outside of the racetrack...
Q: My horse and I are trying barrels, but he seems to be a little afraid of them. I’ve been slowly bringing him up to them and letting him sniff them, as well as walking the pattern. I tried...
If you’re lucky enough to ride a really good games horse, it’s sometimes easy to forget that he still needs regular training and fitness work to keep him sharp in events like pole bending or barrels. If you ride...
If the speed and precision of pole bending has ever called to you, it’s time to give it a whirl. This fun, fast sport requires many of the foundation skills that will help your horse succeed in all his...
The money barrel, the first one in a barrel racing pattern, sets up your entire run. Success depends on how well you make the first turn.Fallon Taylor of Dynasty Equine in Whitesboro, Texas, is a five-time National Finals...
