History of Barrel Racing

Another Xtreme Barrel Race is upon us this week and I thought it would be fun to do a little research into the history of Barrel Racing. Barrel racing was originally developed as an event for women. While men roped or rode bulls and broncs, the women barrel raced. In early barrel racing, the pattern alternated between a figure-eight and a cloverleaf pattern. The figure-eight pattern was eventually dropped in favor of the more difficult cloverleaf.

The 1931 Stamford, Texas Cowboy Reunion, a weekend rodeo, decided to add girls, sixteen years and older, that were sponsored by area businesses and represented the community from which they came. The girls would lead the parade and participate in various minor rodeo activitiesand be avaliable to visit and dance with the cowboys at the social events each evening. The following year the young ladies were given prizes for the best mount, most attractive riding outfit and best horsemanship. The horsemanship was demonstrated by riding in a figure-eight around barrels. In 1935 the Stamford event changed the barrel racing to a cloverleaf pattern, but it was not judged strictly by the shortest time until 1949.

It is believed that Barrel Racing first saw competitive light in the state of Texas. The WPRA was developed in 1948 by a group of women from Texas who were looking to make a home for themselves and women in general in the sport of Rodeo. When it initially began, the WPRA was called the Girls Rodeo Association, with the acronym GRA. It consisted of only 74 members with as little as 60 approved tour events. The Girls Rodeo Association was the first body of rodeo developed specifically for women. The GRA eventually changed its name and officially became the WPRA in 1981. The WPRA still allows women to compete in the various rodeo events as they like, but Barrel Racing remains the most popular event competition.

The Xtreme Barrel Races are held at the Blackhawk Arena in Salina, Utah and Burns Saddlery is a proud sponsor of the series. To find more information about Xtreme Barrel Racing click here.