The British Open Show Jumping Championships is delighted to announce exquisite western entertainment as part of this year’s impressive line-up at Birmingham’s NEC from 3rd-6th April 2008. Back by popular demand, Barrel Racers will be thrilling the crowds once again.
Barrel Racing is a timed rodeo discipline that demands speed, accuracy and agility. Introduced in America to allow cowgirls to compete in rodeo events, Barrel Racing has become increasingly popular for all western riders not only throughout the USA, but also in Europe. The horsemanship skills and competitive drive in this fast and furious event make it a crowd favourite.
Competitors will race at full speed while twisting and turning around a series of barrels in a triangular pattern. Time is precious! The contestant can touch or even move the barrels but for every one that is overturned a time penalty will be awarded. With the margin of victory measured in hundredths of a second, knocking over one barrel spells disaster.
There will be a competition every day in which competitors each race twice. The rider with the fastest time will automatically go last in the next day’s competition. Each competitor will carry forward their fastest time of the week which will be added to the fastest of their two final runs during Sunday’s performance to decide who will be crowned The British Open Barrel Racing Champion.