How to make a good pocket at the barrel?

Question

barrrel racing

Answer 1

with my barrel horse :)....but you cant have her lol.....you have to look at where you WANT to go for the pocket....dont look at the barrel it's self......my horse has won over $15000 in barrel racing.

Answer 2

alot of lube

Answer 3

You should make a teardrop shaped turn not a round one.  If you place the pocket in the correct spot when you come out of the barrel you are aimed perfectly to your next pocket, no readustment means much faster speeds.

Your first pocket should be a little more froward (toward the time line) than the other two which will be right next to the barrel.  A simple way to picture this is to mark you barrel pattern on paper and literally draw in a second barrel for the pocket to give you a good gauge.  A horse can only turn so sharp while maintaining speed, say they can't turn right on one barrel but they can on two.  If you run in on the start side your gap will be on the exit side and you'll be headed for the next barrel dead on each time instead of the entry side gap.

When learning to leave a proper pocket on your horse three old tires (no rims of course) make excellent training aids.  They are easily seen, soft and wont do any harm if bumped.  Set them by the barrel in the pocket and work your pattern through the walk, trot and canter at least.  The basic idea is once you're clear of that pocket you want to crank around tight on the barrel.  You'll know everythings in place when you come out of each turn shoulder on the barrel and straight through the ears is the edge of the tire, your pocket.  Then speed things up.