Quarter Horses are one of the most well-known breeds in the equine world and it doesn’t surprise us because we all know how exceptionally gifted these horses are.
Quarter Horses are famously known for competing in a specific sport and it’s called barrel racing. The question is, are they even good at it?
Are Quarter Horses Good For Barrel Racing?
Yes, Quarter Horses are good for barrel racing.
While there may be a lot of breeds that can be used for barrel racing, nothing really beats the performance and capabilities of a Quarter Horse.
Quarter Horses are good at barrel racing because of their versatility and speed. Although some horses do possess these qualities, the Quarter Horse really stands out. The exact reason why they stand out in barrel racing is because of their ability to turn quickly.
Another thing that makes Quarter Horses good for barrel racing is their capability to outrun other horse breeds in short distances.
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- Are Quarter Horses Good For Barrel Racing?
- Why Quarter Horses Are Good For Barrel Racing
- How Good Are Quarter Horses At Barrel Racing?
- Famous Quarter Horses In Barrel Racing
- The Best Sires In Barrel Racing (2019)
- Are Appaloosas Good For Barrel Racing?
- Are Arabians Good For Barrel Racing?
- Are Thoroughbreds Good Barrel Racers?
- How To Pick A Good Barrel Horse?
- Which Horse Breed Is The Best At Barrel Racing?
- Best Barrel Racing Horse Of All Time
- Are There Other Breeds That Are Good In Barrel Racing?
- What Makes A Good Barrel Horse?
- Resources:
Why Quarter Horses Are Good For Barrel Racing
Quarter Horses are good for barrel racing because of their speed, versatility, and ability to turn quickly.
What makes Quarter Horses good for barrel racing obviously has something to do with their bodies. This breed is known for its long and strong legs that can help carry themselves faster throughout the barrel race.
Also, the reason behind their agile turns is their powerful legs. This enables Quarter Horses to turn quickly without harming the rider or itself from touching the barrels and whatnot.
There has been news about how the Quarter Horse possesses all the abilities needed in barrel racing. We believe that this is the reason why they’re so popular and sought out in the first place.
Lastly, Quarter Horses are good at barrel racing simply because they’re easy to train.
If you wanted to compete in barrel racing and use a Quarter Horse, you wouldn’t have to worry about getting frustrated over the horse just because it can’t understand what it’s supposed to do.
This breed is easy to train so beginners are welcome to use Quarter Horses during their first time competing in barrel racing.
How Good Are Quarter Horses At Barrel Racing?
Quarter Horses are really good at barrel racing to the point that they can beat other breeds in a barrel racing event.
This breed is considered to be good at barrel racing because it was exactly bred for the barrel racing sport. To further explain the excellent abilities of the Quarter Horse against other breeds, let’s compare this breed to a Thoroughbred Horse.
Thoroughbred Horses are just as popular as Quarter Horses when it comes to barrel racing. However, the difference between the Thoroughbred Horse and the Quarter Horse in barrel racing is the latter is much better at covering short distances than the other.
Another important fact that people should be aware of is the number of times a Quarter Horse has taken home the winning title in barrel racing.
For instance, a Quarter Horse named Scamper won a whopping 10 championships in barrel racing during 1977.
Famous Quarter Horses In Barrel Racing
ZZ’s Jetting Muffin, Firewatermakemehappy, DM Sissy Hayday, and Louie are some of the famous Quarter Horses in barrel racing.
Of course, the horses aforementioned above aren’t the only Quarter Horses who’ve made their mark in barrel racing history.
Below is a list of other notable Quarter Horses in barrel racing:
AQHA Amateur Barrel Racing World Champions (2015 – 2017)
- A Solid Chic (2015)
- Category: Select Barrel Racing
- Place: 1st
- Exhibitor: Arnold Vicky
- Bogie Is A Smash (2015)
- Category: Barrel Racing – Level 3
- Place: 1st
- Exhibitor: Betis Taci Eryn
- Three Smashed Bugs (2017)
- Category: Barrel Racing – Level 3
- Place: 1st
- Exhibitor: Ferguson Kim
- Isaws A Mark (2016)
- Category: Barrel Racing – Level 3
- Place: 1st
- Exhibitor: Garen Kathryn Lyn
- Streak Laico Dude (2016)
- Category: Select Barrel Racing
- Place: 1st
- Exhibitor: Glover Charlene
- Miss Royal Asster (2017)
- Category: Select Barrel Racing
- Place: 1st
- Exhibitor: Harrison Leslie Chapman
- All Legs N Diamonds (2015)
- Category: Select Barrel Racing
- Place: 2nd
- Exhibitor: Headley David M
- Stoli Chick (2017)
- Category: Barrel Racing – Level 3
- Place: 2nd
- Exhibitor: Lowrey Rachel Moore
- Came In A Blazin (2016)
- Category: Select Barrel Racing
- Place: 2nd
- Exhibitor: Neff Abby
- Bugs Dun It (2016)
- Category: Barrel Racing – Level 3
- Place: 2nd
- Exhibitor: Stamper Sharee
- Ima Flaming Fire (2015)
- Category: Barrel Racing – Level 3
- Place: 2nd
- Exhibitor: Upton Margaret Ruth
- Skyline Susie (2017)
- Category: Select Barrel Racing
- Palce: 2nd
- Exhibitor: Wilson Pamela A
AQHA Open Barrel Racing World Champions (2015 – 2017)
- Bogie Is A Smash (2015)
- Category: Senior Barrel Racing – Level 3
- Place: 1st
- Exhibitor: Bettis Taci Eryn
- ZZS Jetting Muffin (2017)
- Category: Senior Barrel Racing – Level 3
- Place: 2nd
- Exhibitor: Daniels Karsyn
- Just The Way You Are (2017)
- Category: Junior Barrel Racing – Level 3
- Place: 2nd
- Exhibitor: Donegan Lacey
- LK Sheza Hayday (2016)
- Category: Senior Barrel Racing Level – 3
- Place: 2nd
- Exhibitor: Fischer Tammy Dube
- Be My Valentine Guy (2016)
- Category: Junior Barrel Racing – Level 3
- Place: 2nd
- Exhibitor: Jatzlau Jackie
- Vegas Firefighter (2016)
- Category: Senior Barrel Racing – Level 3
- Place: 1st
- Exhibitor: Langdon Taylor
- BNF Golden Firewater (2017)
- Category: Senior Barrel Racing – Level 3
- Place: 1st
- Exhibitor: Morton Cassie
- Hip Swingin Gypsy (2015)
- Category: Junior Barrel Racing
- Place: 2nd
- Exhibitor: Oen Peter M
- Holdinalltheseises (2016)
- Category: Junior Barrel Racing – Level 3
- Place: 1st
- Exhibitor: Oen Peter M
- Guys Dashing Jet (2017)
- Category: Junior Barrel Racing – Level 3
- Place: 1st
- Exhibitor: Oen Peter M
- Ima Perky Calfee (2015)
- Category: Junior Barrel Racing
- Place: 1st
- Exhibitor: Sharp Jennifer
- Smokin Koa Lena (2015)
- Category: Senior Barrel Racing – Level 3
- Place: 2nd
- Exhibitor: Wargo Joy D]
The Best Sires In Barrel Racing (2019)
One thing to take note of in regards to barrel racing is the bloodline of the horses. Breeding champion horses are a common tradition in any equine discipline actually.
This ensures that the offsprings will inherit the favorable traits and abilities of their champion mares and sires.
The following horses we will be mentioning below are sires whose offsprings have snagged a considerable amount of awards in barrel racing:
- Dash Ta Fame
- 1989 chestnut (First Down Dash-Sudden Fame by Tiny’s Gay)
- Breeder/Owner: Bob Burt of West Jordan, Utah
- Offspring earnings: $1,890,020
- Money earners: 321
- Average earnings: $5,888
- No.1 Money Earner: Famous Ladies Man, 2015 bay gelding out of Lady Perks = $184,229
- Frenchman’s Guy
- 1987 palomino (Sun Frost-Frenchman’s Lady by Laughing Boy)
- Breeder: James and Frances Loiseau of Flandreau, South Dakota
- Offspring earnings: $744, 567
- Money earners: 206
- Average earnings: $3,614
- No.1 Money Earner: Morning Traffic, 2011 palomino mare out of Evening Traffic = $119,303
- Slick By Design
- 2007 black (Designer Red-Dreams Of Blue by Dream On Dancer)
- Breeder: Allene Tatom of Conroe, Texas
- Offspring earnings: $709,049
- Money earners: 41
- Average Earnings: $17,294
- No.1 Money Earner: Slick Lane Ta Fame, 2015 black mare out of Short Lane Ta Fame = $131,285
- Frenchmans Fabulous
- 1998 palomino (Frenchmans Guy-Caseys Charm by Tiny Circus)
- Breeder: Frances Loiseau of Flandreau, South Dakota
- Offspring earnings: $630,414
- Money earners: 56
- Average earnings: $11,257
- No. 1 Money Earner: KN Fabs Gift Of Fame, 2009 palomino mare out of Mistys Dash Of Fame = $261,205
- PC Frenchmans Hayday
- 1995 palomino (Sun Frost-Caseys Charm by Tiny Circus)
- Breeder: Frances Loiseau of Flandreau, South Dakota
- Offspring earnings: $628,553
- Money earners: 68
- Average earnings: $9,243
- No. 1 Money Earner: DM Sissy Hayday, 2011 palomino mare out of Royal Sissy Irish, $413,984
Are Appaloosas Good For Barrel Racing?
Yes, Appaloosas are good for barrel racing.
The thing that makes these horses unique is having the blood of Quarter Horses in their breed, and this was done to save them from extinction.
So naturally, when a horse has a Quarter Horse’s blood mixed in them, they would be exceptional in barrel racing, however, not as good as Quarter Horses themselves.
Nonetheless, Appaloosas are respectable barrel racing horses in their own right. These horses are intelligent, they have the agility to bend around barrels and the endurance to withstand the demanding sport.
Are Arabians Good For Barrel Racing?
Yes, Arabians are good for barrel racing.
Although Arabian Horses may not be the first choice for riders when it comes to barrel racing, this breed surprisingly performs well in the sport.
Thanks to their light structure and immense speed, they’re able to accomplish a cloverleaf pattern in a short amount of time.
Bearing this in mind, they have become quite the popular breed for barrel racing as they frequently make appearances in the sport as competitors.
Are Thoroughbreds Good Barrel Racers?
Thoroughbreds are good barrel racers.
Surprisingly enough, Quarter Horses aren’t the only horses who are capable of dominating barrel racing.
Thoroughbreds are very much capable of excelling at the sport and even landing on the top spot when it comes to competitions.
The thing is, their athleticism is key in making them successful in barrel racing. Despite their lack of ability to run short distances, they can successfully analyze their situation and come up with a way to run around barrels as quickly as possible.
How To Pick A Good Barrel Horse?
Picking a good barrel horse must have qualities such as a good lineage, a nice build, and have excellent health.
The bloodline of a horse matters a lot when it comes to choosing a horse for barrel racing or any equine sport for that matter.
Bloodlines or lineages can help riders know how successful the past generations were and how they performed. These will ultimately help riders determine what type of horse they have on their hands and have an idea of how they will perform.
The usual choice for riders would be a bloodline of racehorses.
This assures them that they have a chance at winning the race because their horses are fast and can clear the course in a short amount of time.
Next, a sound conformation (build) of a horse is of utmost importance since this also determines the capabilities of the horse. Usually, short horses are preferred in barrel racing.
Lastly, the overall health of the horse must be excellent so that they would be able to handle the demands of the extreme sport. The presence of illnesses and other health issues will surely hinder the horse from performing at its very best.
Which Horse Breed Is The Best At Barrel Racing?
Quarter Horses are the best breed at barrel racing.
In the previous section of this article, you’ve seen several Quarter Horses who’ve dominated the barrel racing championships.
Just goes to show that Quarter Horses are prestigious in barrel racing events. There may be other breeds that also compete and end up winning a few titles, however, it is obvious that the majority of winners belong to the Quarter Horse breed.
Quarter Horses are simply the best choice for racers to choose when they compete in barrel races because this horse has excellent athleticism, speed, and intelligence.
Best Barrel Racing Horse Of All Time
The Quarter Horse is the best barrel racing horse of all time.
While numerous breeds are eligible candidates for being “the best barrel racing horse of all time”, no breed comes close to the Quarter Horse.
Apart from its popularity and capabilities, the Quarter Horse just has it in its blood to be the best in barrel racing. So far, the Quarter Horse has only been bred for one reason—to barrel race.
They’re just so easy to train, agile, intelligent, and exceptionally travel short distances with ease. Surely, this is the face of a winning horse in barrel racing.
Not to mention, there are a lot of champions who belong to the Quarter Horse breed.
Are There Other Breeds That Are Good In Barrel Racing?
Yes, there are other breeds that are good in barrel racing.
Here is a list of other breeds that are also considered to perform well in barrel racing:
- Appaloosa
- Paint Horse
- Australian Stock Horse
- Pony Of The Americans
- Thoroughbred
- Arabian
- Clydesdale
What Makes A Good Barrel Horse?
Being able to handle speed mentally, having great athleticism, coordination, sound conformation, and agility in turning.
The importance of agility in barrel racing helps the horse in bending around barrels and have enough strength to push themselves from each turn.
In order for agility to work effectively, a horse must have good sound conformation. Sound conformation refers to how the horse is put together, in other words, a horse’s overall structure.
Bone length, muscles, the angles of the joints, and the horse’s balance plays an important part in conformation. Good conformation equates to good agility.