Barrel racing is a western horse riding discipline involving completing a barrel pattern (cloverleaf pattern) in the fastest time. Quarter horses are the absolute best horse for barrel racing as they are the fastest horses over short distances. A good barrel horse needs to be able to reach high speeds from standing still and stop and turn on a dime. Good barrel racing horses have the drive to work and are athletically gifted, enabling them to reach top speed in a couple of seconds and execute tight turns quickly. They are known to be one of the world’s most versatile horses as they can be used for many disciplines and equine sports. They are the most popular breed for shorter races, such as the quarter-mile race (from which the breed got its name). An appendix quarter horse is also a great 'breed' used for barrel racing; it is a mix between a first-generation thoroughbred and quarter horse. The best horse breeds for barrel racing also include thoroughbred horses, Paint horses, Grade horses and the Arabian horse.
If you're considering getting into barrel racing and seeking a good barrel prospect, then prospect breeding is a vital aspect to consider, but not the only thing to keep in mind. The horse’s personality is as important as the horse’s athletic ability. Barrel racers need to be eager to work and love their job as it requires so much energy going from start to stop multiple times in a race, hence it requires trainable temperaments. The ideal horse should also have sound conformation, good legs, and powerful hindquarters.
Barrel Racing Horse Facts
- Average height: 14-16hh (142-163cm)
- Top Speed: 55mph (88.5km/h) (at full speed)
- Breed: American Quarter Horse
- Fastest Time: The fastest time that we could find records of it Hailey Kinsel's 13.11 seconds at the National Finals Rodeo.
Famous Barrel Racing Riders
Hailey Kinsel is a world champion barrel racer in the United States and is known for her amazing quarter horse mare DM Sissy Hayday, aka 'Sister'. Sister is a Palomino American Quarter Horse mare that she bought as a 2-year-old barrel horse prospect. Hailey didn't realise she would be a winning barrel racer until a few years later as they did go through some challenges in their training. But the horse’s athleticism eventually proved to be enough to compete at a high level. Sister's has become an incredible money earner as she has earned Hailey over $1,000,000 in winnings over the last few years. Hailey's career started taking off in 2017 after she qualified for RFD-TV’s The American and ended up splitting a $1 million side pot with 2 other competitors.
Photo: Hailey Kinsel
The women’s professional rodeo association announced in 2019 that Hailey was ranked No 1 after her Rd 7 win in the 2019 Wrangler NFR (her time was 13.60 seconds). Hailey is still very humble and down to earth and spends her days trail riding with her mom at the ranch during the off-season.
