All three speed events are timed pattern runs. In pole bending, a rider sprints to the far end of the arena, weaves through six poles in one direction and then runs the pattern in the opposite direction, making another sprint to pass through the timing device in the quickest time. Stephanie Byrd of Bandera County has won the stake race event for the past five years and is returning this year. In this timed event, two poles are set 80 feet apart at opposite ends of the course. Two markers designate the start-finish line 20 feet apart midway between the two end poles.
Purpose is to exhibit a right and a left turn within the designated area.
Barrel racing is the most familiar of the three timed events. The rider makes a run around three barrels, starting left or right and circling each barrel. The feature that attracts the most cheering is usually the sprint to the timer line following the third barrel. The Drill Team competition Tuesday night changed days from past years. It was changed to Tuesday this year because many of the students on the various teams have finished in their open show events held earlier in the week.