Wrangler National Finals Rodeo – Barrel Racing Dec 3 – 12, 09 at Thomas & Mack

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I attended the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, on assignment.  The following is the sixth of seven short blogs, which will feature an event from the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

The Barrel Racing event… ten days of the best cowgirls and the fastest turn and burn horses in the sport of rodeo.   A cowgirl and her horse enter the arena at full speed, complete a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels (fifty-five gallon plastic drums), and then they race back out of the arena.  The cloverleaf pattern is comprised of the three barrels being set in a triangle formation; the cowgirl can either take the right or left barrel first.  Cowgirls are not disqualified for touching a barrel.

Time is kept by means of an electronic eye (a laser device), measuring the run in hundredths of a second, which means times are very close.  If a barrel is knocked over then a five second penalty is added to the time, which almost guarantees the cowgirl no chance at the money.  The fastest time is what will win the prize money.

Barrel Racing is a combination of several factors to ensure a successful run, how athletic the horse is, how good of a horsewoman and rider the cowgirl is, arena footing – the type of ground and the depth, and even a little luck.

The cowgirls and their horses gave a lot of try this year, and the horses dug deep down to give that little bit extra.  Some dreams were dashed with a knocked over barrel, which allowed others to fulfill their dreams. 

Camera Wench
“Have Camera… Will Travel”

Wrangler National Finals Rodeo – Team Roping Dec 3 – 12, 09 at Thomas & Mack

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I attended the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, on assignment.  The following is the third  of seven short blogs, which will feature an event from the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

The Team Roping event… ten days of the best headers and heelers in the sport of rodeo.   In Team Roping two cowboys work together for a shared time, this is the only true ‘team event.’  Team Roping requires hard work, cooperation, timing, and lots of practice.

The header’s job is to give the steer a head start advantage and starts from a box, behind the barrier rope.  If the header breaks the barrier rope, ten seconds is added to the final time.  Once the steer has reached the advantage point, header catches the steer either by the horns, neck, or a combination of the one horn and the neck.  After dallying his rope, the header will then turn the steer to the left for the heeler. The heeler will then move in and attempt to rope the steer’s hind feet.  A five second penalty is accessed if only one hind foot is roped.  Time stops when both the header’s horse and the heeler’s horse are facing each other and there is no slack in the ropes.

The Team Roping is always an interesting event to watch.  This year the rules were changed so that the teams could only throw one loop.  That meant if the header missed the team was given a no time, or if the heeler missed a no time was given.  In the past team ropers were allowed three loops.  This has changed the sport of Team Roping at the National Finals Rodeo, and made it a faster and even more challenging event.

Camera Wench
“Have Camera… Will Travel”

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