Barrel racing is the only rodeo event for women. it started as a fun event for the wives and girlfriends of cowboys to participate in and it is now the most popular timed event on horseback. it is a test of skill and horsemanship by women in two divisions. Girls 12 and under compete in the novice division and 13 and older compete in the women's division.

Time starts when the contestant crosses the timer line and ends when she has finished the cloverleaf pattern and returns over the line. The barrels are arranged in a triangle with the standard pattern placing the base barrels sixty feet from the start/finish line and the head barrel 105 feet farther into the arena to form the triangle. The rider must go around each barrel in a clover leaf pattern making one right circle and two left circles or vice-versa; either is correct. A five-second penalty is assessed for any barrel that is knocked over. The closer to the barrel the racer rides and the straighter the line between the barrels, the faster the time. The best riders "become one" with the horse in this event where speed and agility count. if the cloverleaf pattern is broken, disqualification results.

Cody Nite Rodeo and Cody Stampede Program 1996, page 67