​Miniature Horse Federation Inc.

BARREL RACING

 

Horses must be 48 months of actual age or over to compete in this event

 

 

Rules of the Race

 

• There are two course designs, Straight Line and Clover Leaf.

• The horse is to be led by the handler at the horse’s side and the handler must run with the horse around each obstacle.

• The contestant is allowed a running start well before the starting line, this distance will be up to each contestant to decide.

• This is a timed event.

• The starting line is also the finish line.

• The starting/finish line will be 2.5 metres from the first barrel.

• Spacing between the first and second barrel will be a minimum of 2 metres and maximum of 2.5 metres.

• Spacing between the 2nd and 3rd barrel will be a minimum of 3 metres and a maximum of 3.5 metres.

• The timing shall begin as soon as the horses nose reaches the starting line and will be stopped when the horse’s nose passes over the finish line.

 

  

Straight Line

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At a signal from the Judge, the contestant will run to barrel number 1, pass to the left of it and complete an approximately 360 degree turn around it; then go to barrel number 2, pass to the right of it and complete a slightly more than 360 degree turn around it; then go to barrel number 3, pass to the right of it and do another approximately 360 degree turn around it and then sprint to the finish line, passing between barrel numbers 2 and 1.

 

 

 

Clover Leaf

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Contestant is allowed a running start well before the starting line, this distance will be up to each contestant to decide.  At a signal from the Judge the contestant will run to barrel number 1, pass to the right of it, and complete an approximately 360 degree turn around it;, then go to barrel number 2, pass to the right of it, and complete an approximately 360 degree turn around it; then go to barrel number 3, pass to the right of it and then sprint to the finish line passing between barrel 1 and 3.

 

Penalties

 

• Horse or handler Knocking over a barrel carries a five second penalty.

 

Elimination

 

• Failure to follow the course.

• Handler or horse falling.

• Horse getting free of handler.

• Excessive use of the lead or abusive behaviour towards the horse on the handler’s part.

• Carrying a whip

• Having a bit in the horse’s mouth

• Exhibitor being disrespectful to judge or steward

• Abuse of the horse by the handler

• Any unacceptable negative behaviour of the horse towards the handler – biting, striking etc

 

Permitted Tack

 

• Halter – Rope, Webbing, plastic or leather. Rope halters must not have pressure knots on the bridge of the nose or behind the poll. Webbing, plastic or leather halters must sit flat against the horse’s head. Normal halter with buckle off to one side on noseband is allowed.

• Lead – Minimum length 1.8 metres and maximum length 2.4 metres. 

      Leads may be flat or rounded made of strong material with a secure attachment that

      attaches directly to the halter.

• No other equipment is permitted other than stated. – Uncertainty as to gear that is border line regarding what is permitted can be presented to the show committee for scrutiny.

 

Prohibited:

 

• Whips or any other item carried to hit horse.

• Leads with loops at the end.

• Chains

• Bits

• Metal on end of leads