Western Progress's Official Perfected Barrel Racing Method

Barrel racing is made up of 3 Barrels. All the same size. These barrels are placed into a triangular Pattern. The rider MUST rider around each barrel, ensuring to cross over each line. The rider must navigate this pattern as a 3 leaf Clover. The rider must complete this pattern quickly and as neatly as possible.

Those whom ever have the lowest time, Win.

The Barrel Patterns

The general set up for Barrels and how you will see them as you enter the arena

Start

Choose Your Direction

Pattern: Left Turn, Right Turn, Right Turn

Pattern: Right Turn, Left Turn, Left Turn

YouTube Tutroials

This Video Displays, Left Turn, Right Turn, Right Turn
There is also a way on how to enter the Barrel pattern

This Video Displays, Right Turn, Left Turn, left Turn
There is also a way on how to enter the Barrel pattern

These Tutorials were filmed by Bella Snowstorm her self. to help provide the community with better ways to run a Barrel Pattern

Competitor Waiting Bay/Line

The markers that are in place, run off A pebbled line located in the Star Shine Ranch Arena. This way each rider can locate the line a little easier.
The pebbled line displayed, shows it runs to the first dark line on the haybale and continues to follow to the outside of the area, lining up on the right Side of the "Purple Pony" Banner.
Riders are NOT to step any further OVER the line into the starting box unless called.

The Waiting bay OR Waiting line is where the competitors are encouraged to stand when waiting for there run. This ensures the rider next up is ready to be called as soon as the current run has commenced. The encourages fast paced transitions between riders and makes sure Ring Masters are not waiting around for the next competitor. Riders are also welcome to stand behind this line as long as they DO NOT leave the arena.
The Waiting Bay/Line is displayed in the picture Below.

Starting Box Rules and Regulations

The Start Box is where competitors are to use when waiting for there 30 seconds to prepare OR to call out to the Ring Master.
Ensuring they are in NO more than a trot within the box. Once given the “GO” command they can THEN leave the box as what ever speed they choose. Ensuring they stay within the restricted Starting box ratio.

The starter box is to ensure riders are ready for there run in an appropriate time and manner. There is to be only ONE rider in the box at all times.

The markers that are in place, run off the edges of the bales of hay and the banners on the outside of the area.
As you can see our corners along the rails end at the Canter Ella banner and the Pink Pony Banner. You can also follow a pebble line along this ground.

Barrel Spacing & Screen Delay

When running barrels in Star Stable Online, we discovered that relying solely on what riders see on their own screen often led to inconsistencies, such as clipping through barrels due to screen delay or minor desync issues. To counter this, we introduced a fundamental spacing system based on gait control, ensuring smoother and more realistic runs.

This system not only minimizes false calls caused by screen delay but also reinforces realistic barrel racing fundamentals, encouraging riders to focus on control, precision, and consistency rather than relying purely on what appears on their screen.

At a walk, trot, or canter, riders are required to maintain a full character’s distance from the barrel, allowing for controlled and accurate turns.

At faster speeds, above canter, this spacing is reduced to a half-horse gap to reflect tighter, more competitive turns while still avoiding glitches or penalties.

Incorrect Barrel Run

Videos coming soon

Correct Barrel Run

Videos coming soon

Screen Delay, and Stop Time

As discussed in our barrel racing screen delay, every rider experiences delay but you can’t see your own only others can. Because of this, mastering when to begin and end movements, especially stops, has become a key part of our barrel racing fundamentals. After each run, riders are required to perform a hard stop.

However, it’s important to understand that screen delay is significantly greater at faster gaits, particularly at a gallop, compared to walk, trot, or canter. This means what you see on your screen is slightly ahead of what others see.

To ensure your run is timed correctly, you must adjust for this delay by stopping later than it feels necessary. When approaching the finish line at speed, continue riding past the line on your screen before initiating your hard stop. This allows the timekeeper to visually register you crossing the line first, followed by your sliding stop, ensuring an accurate and fair recorded time.

What's on your screen

When you are almost at the finish line you need to keep in mind the screen delay for stopping.
We have figured the best possible time for YOU on YOUR screen to press "x"
As shown in the diagram above you need to be 3 FULL horse lengths PLUS a Character spacing from the finish line for the Filmer to get the correct finish line cross over.

This is what the Rider Will see

What's on your ring masters Screen

This is what the Ring Master Will see

Keeping in mind your screen delay and how you see yourself when stopping, your Ring master will see YOU in a delay. When your stopping on your screen this is where your ring master will you stopping on THERE screen!

Applied Penalties

Despite penalty's being hard to navigate and achieve within the game, we have come up with a few ways to give competitors penalty's to keep things as realistic as possible. Our General aim to ensure riders are clean, fast and trustworthy when they run. Ring Masters will keep an eye out for penalty's below.

If a rider knocks down a barrel, Or in our case gets stuck on a barrel, accidently goes the wrong way, OR doesn’t run the pattern correctly, the following penalties will be added to their time.

Penalties Outside of the arena

Penalties In the arena

Sportsmanship & Morals

✪ Leaving the starting box before go {+5}

✪ Not leaving the box after your 30 seconds is up {+2}

✪ Entering the Box when its not your turn {+10}

✪ Getting caught on a barrel {+5}

✪ Wanting to restart your run {+5}

✪ Running the pattern wrong {+5}

✪ Hard Stopping to soon! { +3 }

✪ Not giving support or saying hurtful things {+10}

✪ Entering the Box when its not your turn, Impatience {+5}

✪ Arguing or disagreeing with the Ring Masters { +15 }

All penalties apply to your over all time.