For SMALLER courses (such as portable arenas etc)
Equipment required: 8 pegs (3 open, 3 jnr, 2 timers) with brightly coloured cloth, hammer, 100ft tape measure, notepad, pen
Minimum distance off the fence to set any drum is 18ft. It is suggested to try and use the full size of the arena where possible.
1. Work out approximately where starting/finishing point will be in the arena. (see attachment 1 below)
2. Then pick out a point about halfway down arena – generally this is where your first (eg: right or left) drum will be.
3. Mark first drum with peg, ensuring 18ft off fence perimeter.
4. Directly across, mark 2nd drum with peg (18ft off fence).
5. Arc (see attachment 2 below) the 3rd drum from 1st and 2nd pegs.
6. Mark timers: From 1st (or 2nd) drum, measure back to timer position and mark with peg. Ensure you stay ‘square’ (eg: 90 degrees) to the drum when marking the timers. Go to other marked drum and measure same distance back from this barrel and hammer in peg.
7. If there is more than one section of barrel racing, you will need to make two WRITTEN COPIES of all measurements. (Distance off fence for all drums, distance of arc, distance to timers, jnr dimensions). Thus you will need to additionally measure and record the distance BETWEEN the 1st and 2nd drum. These measurements are in case of a peg missing for a later section. A written copy is to be given to the committee secretary or judge and one retained by a director/deputy at all times.
8. Mark a junior course (if jnrs are listed). It’s suggested the junior course be marked between 10-20ft back from the open course. Mark junior course with different colour pegs and let judges and those people rolling drums out know which course is which. Eg: Red = open, blue = jnrs.
Attachment 1: When estimating 1st and 2nd drum position, take into consideration if there is enough distance back to timers, safe stopping distance and equal start and equal angle from horses going to the left or right drum first.
Attachment 2: How to ARC the 3rd drum (after setting 1st and 2nd drum).
• Person (A) holds tape measure firmly down on 1st drum peg
• Other person (B) runs out tape measure to furtherest/safest distance (eg: often between 60-100ft max) towards estimated 3rd drum position. Person B to hold tape measure firmly on a designated point of their body eg: front pocket of jeans. Hold your foot/boot firmly on ground and mark ‘arc’ in the ground whilst holding tape measure tight.
• Person A then moves across the opposite drum. Person B repeats above procedure using exact same arc measurement.
• When the arc ‘crosses’ is where the 3rd drum is. Mark with peg.
• Ensure 3rd drum is the minimum 18ft distance off back fence.
HOW TO SET A FULL SIZE BARREL COURSE
• Please ensure you gain assistance from a Director/experienced person as a full course must be marked accurately as it provides the opportunity for an official barrel racing record breaking attempt.
• Please refer to rule book for diagram and dimensions (90ft between 1st and 2nd drum, 100ft arc to third, 60ft back to timers). No course should exceed these distances.
• When setting the timers, it is ideal to ensure they are SQUARE to the 1st and 2nd drums. To do so, a variety of measurements must be taken including ensuring it’s the same distance (90 ft) in between the timers as it is between the first two drums. Please see your director or deputy’s to clarify this and help set any full size courses.
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