In our continuing effort to improve rodeo elements for our members we want to address the changes that have been made this year at RodeoHouston for the barrel racers.

- The pattern: This year's barrel pattern will be smaller than previous years due to the shortened arena. This year's pattern is as follows:

Barrel Pattern:
- The timer will be set right inside the entry gate approximately 14 feet from the bucking chutes.
- The distance from the timers to the first and second barrels is 40 feet 1 inch.
- In between the first and second barrel the distance is 80 feet.
- From the first and second to the third the distance is also 80 feet.
- The last barrel will be 25 feet 6 inches off the panel fence.

- Electronic eyes: There were issues with the electric timers not functioning last year and research determined that it had to do with interference from too many wireless frequencies in a confined area. This year RodeoHouston has hard wired one timer and there will be 2 wireless timers as back-up.

- Riding times: Riding times for barrel racer will be 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. every day

- Other information: The chuck wagon race will be held prior to the barrel race but there will be a tractor drag prior to the actual barrel race. Also immediately after the barrel race there will be a short fireworks show in the building, so please get your horses out of the building as quickly as possible following your run to avoid any spooked horses.

We hope these changes will be of benefit to our members competing at RodeoHouston and make it a more fair competition. Best of luck to all those entered.

WPRA Administration