At the signal, a horse and her rider barrel out of the gate, eyes set on the first barrel. She and her horse have been training for this, to circle each of the three barrels along the course without knocking it over. This takes grace, coordination and athleticism on the part of both participants. Prizes are at stake in this competition at the Four States Fairground and Rodeo, as well as prestige in a tight-knit community, whose participants, in many cases, both horse and human, have been participating for generations.
"Each of these riders are going for the best time they can get," said Pattie Moore of Texarkana, Texas, and show coordinator. "They are comparing themselves to both the best time that has been generated during the competition as well as five different categories, standing times. This allows a greater range of winners, as opposed to a traditional rodeo, which is winner-take-all."
Most of the riders who participate in barrel racing are women. There are a few men, and there are more men participating than in the past, but this is a change that is slow.
"Professional rodeo and equestrian events have been men only, for the most part, for most of its history," said Moore. "Barrel racing was the one where women competed. In more recent history, in some events, that is changing. The male competitors in barrel racing, in many cases, are trainers who are choosing to compete in the open event and to showcase their skills.
Moore also comes from an equestrian family.
"My parent ride, did some show horse events. My son, Wesley Kent, is a team roping competitor, and was one of the winners in the last team roping event here at Four States Fairgrounds. My other son, Nick Kent, along with his wife, also participate in team roping. Also, our announcer and show coordinator, Jackie Sue Watlington, has two daughter who also are in the equestrian world. They compete and one of them is a trainer on the equestrian team at SAU."
The crowd in the arena focused closely on the event as horses and riders made their rapid turns. Amanda Stovall of Wainona, Texas, was there to support her daughter, Tanner Stovall, as well as her neighbor, Liza Shannon, who had completed a strong run around the barrels right at that moment.
"I participate in a support role," she said with a laugh. "Morale and logistics. Tanner has been doing this for 15 years, so at 17 years old, she has been working with horses since two years of age. My husband (Michael) is a farrier (shoes horses). My family has been involved with horses and equestrian events for many years."