GIRLS’ EVENTS CLOVER-LEAF BARREL RACING

GIRLS’ EVENTS
CLOVER-LEAF BARREL RACING
I. Time Limit:
Contestant will be allowed legitimate time from the time she enters
arena gate until her time starts by Field Flagger or electric eye.
II. General Rules:
1. Starting lines in clover- leaf barrel racing will be subject to ground
rules.
2. A clearly visible starting line shall be provided.
3. There shall be a minimum of 75’ allowed for stopping, from starting
line in barrels back to arena fence.
4. The barrels and the starting line will be permanently marked for
the entire go- round.
5. The horse’s nose will be timed as it crosses the starting line.
6. A barrel horse shall not be ridden by more than one contestant in
this event.
7. During barrel racing events, the arena will be dragged at regular
intervals, to be determined by the management. Turnouts and releases
must be included in the count.
8. Following barrel racing events, the pattern will be dragged or leveled.
9. A contestant may enter the arena at the speed of her choice.
10. Arena gate must be closed immediately after she enters the arena,
and kept closed until pattern is completed and her horse is under control.
11. Contestant may change horses in this event.
III. Event Rules:
1. This event is open to girls only.
2. The barrels must be twenty (20) feet, at least, from the arena fence.
3. The arena conditions will enable you to determine the distance that

the barrels can be apart, provided they are at least 20 feet from the
fence.
4. The clover- leaf pattern is the only approved pattern in this event.
5. Touching barrel is permitted by horse or contestant.
6. The front two barrels shall be twenty (20) yards (60 feet) from the
starting line as required by arena conditions.
a. The maximum distance between the two front barrels shall be
thirty (30) yards (90 feet) arena conditions permitting. The maximum
distance between the two front barrels and the back barrel shall be 35
yards (105 feet) arena conditions permitting.
b. The contestant may start on either the right or left barrel.
(1) When starting on the right barrel there will be one right turn
and two left around the barrels.
(2) When starting on the left side, there will be one left and two
right turns around the barrels.
7. Diagram of pattern (See Page 122 for diagram).
IV. Scoring and Penalties:
1. Timed event judge will not flag contestant out until time is recorded.
2. Judge is to flag time, then flag contestant out if run is not legal.
3. Knocking over a barrel is a five (5) second penalty, per barrel.
Should barrel be knocked over and it sets up on opposite end, the five
(5) second penalty will be assessed.
4. Not following the clover- leaf pattern will receive a no time. A broken
pattern shall be defined as breaking their forward motion to
retrace their tracks to finish the pattern and/or passing the plane of
the barrel on the off side. Example: Should a contestant run by a barrel
and have to back up or turn around and retrace their tracks, this
would be considered a broken pattern.
5. Contestant will be allowed legitimate time from the time she enters
arena gate until her time starts by Field Flagger or electric eye.
6. Judge will determine legitimate problem for prestart time.
7. If horse recrosses starting line at any time before the pattern is completed,
pattern will be considered broken and run will receive no
time.
8. If contestant’s horse breaks timer light, by backing through before
starting pattern, time will be considered started.
9. A five (5) second penalty will be assessed if the contestant enters the
arena without her hat on her head.
10. When the electric eye fails to work for one or more contestants
during a performance, the manual back-up time will be used for
those electronically missed. The electric eye controlled times will
remain unaltered.
11. Assistant helping barrel racers will not be allowed to go past the

plane of the main arena gate when they are entering the arena or the
contestant will be disqualified.
12. The contestant is allowed a running start. If the gate is centrally
located, contestant must keep forward motion toward the first barrel/
pole. If a side or corner gate is used, a single spin or pivot is acceptable
in either direction or by the Arena Director’s approval. Failure to
comply will be a no time.
V. Reruns:
1. No rerun will be given due to faulty or broken equipment furnished
by contestant.
2. The battery digital clock will be the first backup time and digital
hand-held watches to be second backup time. When both the digital
clocks malfunction and no time was recorded from digital watches,
contestant will be given a rerun at a time designated by the Judges
and Arena Director, plus any penalties.
3. Contestants will carry any penalties with them if they are granted a
rerun. If the barrel racing is moved, postponed or rerun for safety reasons
due to ground conditions, reruns will be penalty free.
VI. Optional Rules:
Equipment necessary: Twin units of battery power electric eyes with
one electric power digital clock and one battery power digital clock
and two (2) hand held battery power digital watches in hundredths
shall be used, with the time indicated by the electric eye timers, or, if
necessary, the average of the watches used by the official timers to be
the official time. (Optional at State/Province level).