Chase has a ranching history, with horses used to this day for rounding up stock. When not working, some cutting horses are entered into competition with their riders. One event is barrel racing.
On June 29 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the arena on VLA Road, a local barrel racing event will take place. There will be world-class teams of horse and rider competing in a BC Rodeo Association-sanctioned race.
Barrel racing is a speed horse event in which a horse and rider attempt to complete a clover-leaf pattern around preset barrels in the fastest time. Though both boys and girls compete at the youth level and men compete in some amateur venues, in collegiate and professional ranks, it is primarily an event for women. It combines the horse’s athletic ability and the horsemanship skills of a rider in order to safely and successfully maneuver a horse through a clover-leaf pattern around three barrels (typically three fifty-five gallon metal or plastic drums) placed in a triangle in the center of an arena.
In timed rodeo events, the purpose is to make a run as fast as possible, while the time is being clocked either by an electronic eye, (a device using a laser system to record times), or by an arena attendant or judge who manually takes the time using a keen eye and a flag to let a clocker know when to hit the timer stop; though this last method is more commonly seen in local and non-professional events.
The timer begins when horse and rider cross the start line and ends when the barrel pattern has been successfully executed and horse and rider cross the finish line. The rider’s time depends on several factors, most commonly the horse’s physical and mental condition, the rider’s horsemanship abilities, and the type of ground or footing (the quality, depth, content, etc. of the sand or dirt in the arena.)
The BC Barrel Racers Association sanctions races across B.C., as well as Washington, Oregon, and Arizona, with hopes to sanction races in Alberta in the near future. The two largest races each season are in the spring with the finals held in the fall. At each of these races over 750 runs are expected to be held. The two main races will be held in Chilliwack this year, drawing competitors from across Western Canada and Northwestern USA.