What began as a friendly challenge of horsemanship skills between cowgirls has evolved into a multimillion dollar sport in which members of the Women's Professional Rodeo Association compete. As in other events, horse and rider cooperation is vital to success. The three barrels are run in a cloverleaf pattern, requiring quick turns at a high speed to win.
Times are so fast that they are measured in hundredths of a second.
The three-barrel pattern may be run to the left or the right, but if the horse deviates in any other way, the rider is disqualified. Knocking over barrels adds five seconds per barrel to the rider's time.