(photo taken from barrelracingtips.blogspot.com)

6. Make sure you know you're pattern inside and out, especially before you start loping it. This may sound like a very well known and basic tip, but sometimes those are the best. You and your horse need to be able to do the pattern in your sleep if you want to barrel race successfully.

(photo taken from techpalette.com)

7. Take everything slow. It may take you a couple years before you're breaking records, but the slow approach will serve you incredibly well in the long run. Something done fast and incorrect may produce instant results, but long term will cost you way more. Something done slow and properly may take longer to achieve results, but when the results come (and they will!) they will be long lasting and satisfying.

8. Never stop learning. Read, research, go to clinics... etc. The more well rounded your barrel education, the better you'll become!

9. Your horse is your teammate in barrel racing. Make sure he/she remains physically and mentally happy. Some horses love barrel racing. Others don't. If your horse isn't happy barrel racing, the most loving thing you can do is either do something the horse likes or get a horse that does like barrel racing. No sport is worth you or your horse's unhappiness. Dealing with a horse that doesn't want to race will frustrate and stress you both out.

(photo taken from thedesertereview.com)

10. And the most important of all... have fun! Even you're a competitive racer through and through make sure you maintain that element of thrill, fun, and excitement. After all, why do you do it? You can win blue ribbons in any sport, so why did you pick barrel racing? It's cause you love it. Don't lose that. Keep having fun and you'll be a lot happier and healthier for it.

(photo taken from spintowinrodeo.com)

"To me, horses and freedom are synonymous." --Veryl Goodnight

~ Saddle Up