Barrel racing is classified under the sport of rodeo and is most likely associated with the Women's Professional Rodeo Association and the National Barrel Horse Association. The sport of rodeo also includes bull riding, team roping and tie down roping and can mostly be associated with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Even though the sport of rodeo is primarily dominated by men, barrel racing is the greatest outlet for women to showcase their skills in such a male-dominated sport. Although any breed is allowed to participate in barrel racing, the American Quarter horse is the most predominant breed in the sport primarily because it is the most versatile of all the breeds and has the speed and agility to bend around barrels. When it comes to horse blood types or lines it is more of a personal opinion. A competitor may choose a horse more suited to racing to provide a faster horse or a cutting horse that will provide greater maneuverability and less bending around barrels. A good ideal is to match racing and cutting bloodlines to produce a horse with the ideal combination of speed and agility. The saddle is the very important piece of equipment used for barrel racing. The saddle must be fitted to the horse and most of the time the rider chooses a saddle that is up to one size smaller than what they would normally use. Saddle pads and harnesses must be chosen to properly fit the horse. While the saddle is important, the bit is quite possibly the most important piece of equipment for the barrel racing rider. The embouchure is often chosen based on the two concepts of a bit with a longer shank that allows for a quicker stop due to the additional leverage on the mouth and a bit with... half the paper...... The Association Odeo originally recognized female bronc riders, ropers and drum racers. Now, barrel racing is the only sport women participate in other than competing at the National Finals Rodeo. Rodeo, as a sport, is judged overall via a points system. So, even if you don't win a single event, you can still have enough points to make the cowgirl round if an individual participates and places in all events within a circuit. Since this sport is considered the biggest adrenaline rush for women in rodeo, I would love to participate in a barrel race. I think women who compete have a lot of courage to let a horse reach its top speed and still manage to maneuver around three barrels. The amount of athletic ability required of the horse is incredible and I have a lot of respect for women who excel and have the money to invest in such an amazing horse.