Learn about 4D Barrel Racing!
What is Divisional Barrel racing?
Divisional barrel racing is an event in which a horse and rider attempt to run a cloverleaf pattern around preset barrels in the fastest time possible.
Denim & Lace welcome and encourage both male, female and junior contestants.
It is a sport that combines the horse's athletic ability and the horsemanship skills of a rider in order to safely and successfully manoeuvre the horse around three barrels placed in a triangle pattern within a large arena as fast as possible.
As mentioned above, the pattern is often referred to as a "Cloverleaf". The pattern may also begin with either the left or right barrel first.
Beginning a barrel race, the horse and rider will enter the arena and select either a left or right approach to their first barrel and start when the electronic timer beam is crossed by the horse and rider. The timer keeps running until the beam is crossed again at the end of the run. Hand held timers are also used by an official judge as a backup timer.
The divisions in “Divisional Barrel Racing” are set by time increments.
As an ABHA Affiliate, we are given the option to set the increments at one second splits or half second splits.
Denim & Lace use the full one second splits.
For example, if the fastest time set on that day was a 16.355 seconds and the format was one second splits, the first division would be set by the fastest time e.g. 16.355 seconds.
So, if your time was between 16.355 and 17.355 you would be in the first division.
If your time was between 17.355 and 18.355 you would be in the second division.
If your time was between 18.355 and 19.355 you would be in the third division.
If your time was between 19.355 and 20.355 you would be in the fourth division.
4D barrel racing is a fun format for a competition and it’s worth a try even if you are just a beginner. It’s the perfect opportunity for newcomers and beginners and it’s a nice way to get some motivation and to spend time with your horse and other likeminded individuals who love the same sport you do!
No matter how professional or young you and your horse are, a Denim & Lace series is a great way to have fun, season a new horse or even to win!