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Quick Question for the Barrel Racers

8K views 40 replies 15 participants last post by  WesternPleasure27 
#1 ·
Okay, so, you'll have to forgive me for asking this but I'm new to western riding. I've only been riding western for about 3 years or so (rode english for 15 though).

Well, I got the new Smith Brothers catalog and was looking at all the pictures last night when I noticed something that struck me as very odd: it seemed that a number of the barrel racers in the pictures had rubber bands over the heel of their boot, running under the stirrup, then over the toe of their boot. :-? Why on earth do they put rubber bands over their feet? My husband's suggestion was that it helps hold their foot down in the stirrup during the turns, but in one of the pics the girl lost her stirrup and the rubber was just hanging out, wrapped around the stirrup. I felt his idea was pretty plausible but I'm still reallllly curious to find out the "real" answer. Any help? :grin:
 
#38 ·
Buckoff I agree with you on the getting the check, to me it is all about the investment. If I am putting my money in, you better believe that I am expecting to get something back out. However, and this is just my opinion, plenty of girls make big money runs and don't band. I view bands as a crutch, if you are a good enough rider, you should be able to regain your balance if you should loose a stirrup. Not trying to call you out, just voicing my opinion. Like you said, to each their own.
 
#39 ·
I don't take offense at all to your comment NewHeart. I'm just saying that, yes, if you lose your stirrup, your should be a capable enough rider to regain them. I've had to do it a dozen times...but in the even that something happens. (like the tripping etc) you won't have that opportunity...and could inevitabley get hurt.
Sure, you figure, well what are the odds of that? You would be surprised.
Like I said before, I don't wear them because I don't like the feeling of being restricted in any way...but in the end its no more than a helmet. Use it as a precaution. In the event that something does happen, you have it.
I'm simply defending my friend here. She's an awsome rider, but still uses them in a run.(poor thing has had THE WORST luck during runs...so I can't blame her)
9 times out of 10...the rider isnt a very good rider.
But that's something you have to live with in barrel racing I suppose.
 
#41 ·
I went through a period when my horse was really starting to put some power behind her barrels that I used rubber bands to help keep my stirrups while I was getting used to her. I actually still have rubber bands on my saddle horn, and will use them if I'm at a big race as "insurance." However, I only use one on each foot...putting 6 on totally defeats the purpose of them breaking. Does it make me a bad rider? No. Am I a bad rider because I do it? No.
I know a select few of you do barrel race, but for others of you who are pretty much stating that a rider who uses bands has no business barrel racing...have you ever been on a high powered horse who really digs around those barrels? You don't have to be a bad rider to lose a stirrup.

And in response to WPRA riders never using them.... I was just at the PRCA rodeo at the MN Expo this past weekend and I saw several barrel racers with bands on.

mls- what club are you in? I'm a WSCA junkie!
 
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