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Cowgirls
Barrel Racing
A cloverleaf pattern
around three barrels in the fastest time makes a winning run. Combine
speed with team work and a sense of competition then spice it with a
hint of danger and you have the ingredients of the cowgirls barrel
racing. In order to capture a paycheck at the Longhorn World
Championship Rodeo, the cowgirl and her horse must be in absolute
sync as they tour a cloverleaf pattern around the three barrels in
the arena. It is one of the most popular events at the rodeo and with
the increased popularity comes heftier purses and stiffer
competition. The difference between heading home with some prize
money and going empty handed can be as little as one hundredth of a
second. Barrel racing is a timed event and looks deceptively simple
with a horse and rider racing at breakneck speed in a cloverleaf
pattern around three 55 gallon drums set in a triangle. It's actually
a symphony of timing, coordination, movement, balance and style that
bond the horse and rider into a single unit. Starting from the center
alleyway, the horse and rider cross the scoreline starting the
automatic timer. The two have the option of rounding the barrel to
the left or right first before circling the opposite barrel then
charging around the center barrel and heading back for the scoring
line. When they cut the tight turns around the barrels, the horse and
rider can be at a 45 degree angle and solid footing is essential. If
the horse or rider knocks one of the drums over, a five second
penalty is added to the cowgirl's time, basically assuring she'll
finish out of the money. However, there is no penalty for touching a
barrel that doesn't tip over and many riders wear shin guards to
protect themselves from injury. Riders who don't wear protection
sport the scars of multiple encounters with the steel drums around
which their competitive life revolves. |
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