Speech about Barrel Racing. FIRST, the history of barrel racing begins in the heart of Texas. It is primarily a rodeo event for women although boys and girls compete at a youth level, and men compete in some amateur venues.

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Mayer 3

Katie Mayer

Mrs. Drescher

English III Period 3

01 March 2011

Barrel Racing

Attention-Getter: According to the PRCA Rodeo World Records at the about.com website, the fastest time for a women’s barrel racing event was 13.52 seconds.

Tying Together: Barrel Racing was originally developed as a rodeo event for women, while men roped and rode bulls.

Thesis: It is a timed rodeo event in which the fastest time is what matters the most. The riders compete against each other in the clock.

Preview: In order to learn what barrel racing is about, you have to examine the history, the arena layout, and the importance of the rider-and-horse relationship.

Topic Sentence: FIRST, the history of barrel racing begins in the heart of Texas.

It is primarily a rodeo event for women although boys and girls compete at a youth level, and men compete in some amateur venues. As stated in the barrel racing history topic on the website horsegroomingsupplies.com, barrel racing started as a fun activity for women who went along with their husbands that were roping. In 1948, a group of women for Texas developed what is now known as the WPRA or the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. This governing body not only set up rules for the event, but began clinics to teach girls the techniques and ways of riding for better success in the event. At this point in history, barrel racing saddles, head stalls and breast collars became popular. Today, there are more than 800 barrel racing events that payout more than $3,000,000 dollars a year.

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Topic Sentence: SECOND, the layout of the rodeo arena is set up in a “Clover-leaf” fashion.

There are three barrels, typically three fifty-five gallon metal or plastic drums, which are placed in a triangle shape in the center of the arena. Usually, there is a 90 foot distance between the first and second barrel, a 105 foot distance between barrel one and three and two and three, and a 60 foot distance between barrels one and two and the score line. Each horse that runs around each barrel must graze past each, in order to meet the winning time between ...

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