SHW700. BARREL RACING. Exhibitors race against the clock, following a course consisting of three barrels in in a triangular "cloverleaf" pattern. Contestants must choose either the right or left barrel, circle it, and go to the next barrel, completing the course after circling the third barrel and running home. Barrel racing is a timed event.
SHW700.1 The contestant is allowed a running start. At a signal from the starter, the contestant will run to barrel number 1, pass to the left of it, and complete an approximately 360 degree turn around it; then go to barrel number 2, pass to the right of it, and complete a slightly more than 360 degree turn around it; then go to barrel number 3, pass to the right of it, and do another approximately 360 degree turn around it; then sprint to the finish line, passing between barrel number 1 and 2. This barrel course may also be run to the left. For example, the contestants will start to barrel number 2, turning to left around this barrel, then to barrel number 1, turning to the right, then to barrel number 3, turning again to the right, followed by the final sprint to the finish line.
SHW700.2 Knocking over a barrel carries a five-second penalty.
SHW700.3 Failure to follow the course shall cause disqualification.
SHW700.4 A contestant may touch the barrel with his or her hands in barrel racing.
SHW700.5 A whip may not exceed two feet in length excluding over and unders which must be attached to the saddle.
SHW700.6 If exhibitor shows in more than one barrel racing class and pays entry fees for each class, exhibitor may run once and carry over the time for all the classes (roll over times).
SHW700.7 It is recommended that drags be conducted before the start of a barrel race and after every seven head. Show management may drag more frequently.
SHW700.8 The judge must disqualify any contestant for excessive use of a whip, rope, crop, bat or reins anywhere on the horse.
SHW700.9 If a tie occurs where points are involved, placing will be worked off if all tied exhibitors agree to participate in a run-off, if not, a coin toss will be used to separate the ties. The horse declared the winner in the runoff must rerun the pattern within two seconds of its original time or the runoff must be held again. Penalty time will not apply to the two-second rule but will apply to the final runoff time.