Barrel Racing 101: A Complete Program for Horse and Rider [Hardcover]

Marlene McRae (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Few equestrian sports are more exciting than barrel racing, in which horse and rider carve a lightning-fast cloverleaf pattern around three barrels, then gallop down to the finish line. Time is measured in hundredths of seconds, and winners receive substantial prize money and the admiration and respect of fellow competitors and spectators alike.
As thrilling as barrel racing is to watch, doing it is even more fun, as thousands of people are discovering every year. To help them—and you—get started, champion racer and internationally respected instructor and clinician Marlene McRae shares her program that has taken hundreds of her students to success in the arena as well as to becoming educated horsemen and horsewomen:

Selecting Your Champion Horse: Choosing a barrel-racing prospect based on conformation and temperament; finding a qualified veterinarian to help you assess the prospects.
Choosing and Using Equipment: Determining the right saddle, bridle (including bits), leg protection, and other tack to buy, as well as their proper fit and use.
Feeding and Nutrition: Establishing a basic common-sense feeding regimen for your horse; the role of supplements, as well as their possible misuse.
Shoeing and Foot Care: Proper foot care, with an emphasis on working with your farrier and veterinarian to avoid foot- and leg-related injuries.
Conditioning and Exercising: A comprehensive program for developing your horse’s stamina and fitness, along with ways to avoid unsoundness problems.
Getting Started in the Barrel Racing Patterns: How to set up the pattern correctly; techniques for training the horse, with an emphasis on rider position, balance, and using hands, legs, and voice as communication aids.
Competing: Locating entry-level local events, clubs, and associations; the mental game of competing to stay focused; achieving teamwork with your horse.

Barrel Racing 101 is the perfect textbook for the sport. Study it, use it, and you’re bound to finish at the top of your class.

About the Author

Marlene McRae, World Champion barrel racer, includes among her many trophies two gold medals won at the 1988 Winter Olympic Games (where rodeo events were included). She continues to compete and conduct clinics throughout the United States and Canada. She also produces videotapes on horsemanship and barrel racing. She and her husband, Doug, with whom she runs their World Champion Designs equestrian products mail order business, live in Ramah, Colorado.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: The Lyons Press (July 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592287964
• ISBN-13: 978-1592287963
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #587,155 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #25 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Rodeos

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every barrel racer should read this one..., January 4, 2007

By 

Phyllis K. Jess (east wenatchee, wa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Barrel Racing 101: A Complete Program for Horse and Rider (Hardcover)

Great book....covers everything for horse and rider and from beginner to experienced person........good buy.....

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining as it is informative and highly recommended, November 4, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Barrel Racing 101: A Complete Program for Horse and Rider (Hardcover)

Barrel racing is one of the equestrian sports which lends to an exciting competition both for spectator and competitor, but few books cover barrel racing. Instructor and champion racer Marlene McRae has developed an entire program for the barrel racer and shares her arena tips for this audience; from selecting a champion barrel-racing horse to using equipment, beginning barrel racing patterns, and competing. A 'must' for all equestrian sports enthusiasts, Barrel Racing 101is as entertaining as it is informative and highly recommended for school and community library Sports & Athletics collections.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars INTERESTING THOUGHTS AND CONCEPTS OF THE AUTHOR, January 3, 2011

By 

Crystal - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Barrel Racing 101: A Complete Program for Horse and Rider (Hardcover)

Good book to read, lots of insight from the author, focus's on different aspects of barrel racing other than just barrels. Not a guide but more of a reading book. She has some great suggestions and different perspectives.