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• barrel race
  barrel race

  noun

  a rodeo event, usually for women, in which a horse and rider must race in a zigzag pattern around three barrels, competing for the fastest time.
• barrel-race
  barrel-race

  verb (used without object)

  to compete in a barrel race.

barrel race

¹ American  

[bar-uhl reys] / ˈbær əl ˌreɪs /

noun

Manège.

1. a rodeo event, usually for women, in which a horse and rider must race in a zigzag pattern around three barrels, competing for the fastest time.

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barrel-race ² American  

[bar-uhl-reys] / ˈbær əlˌreɪs /

verb (used without object)

barrel-raced, barrel-racing

1. to compete in a barrel race.

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Other Word Forms

• barrel racing
  noun
• barrel-racer
  noun

Etymology

Origin of barrel race

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

barrel-race barrel-racing

S the two friends approached the buggy, Dixie, who had seen them, suddenly turned her head in an opposite direction and seemed to be laughing immoderately at the beginning of a barrel-race.

From Dixie Hart by Harben, Will N. (William Nathaniel)

Looking to sharpen your skills in the saddle or finally live out your barrel-racing dreams?

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 22, 2025

Olson never had any formal horseback riding or barrel-racing training - nothing like what young riders have access to now.

From Washington Times ● Jan. 6, 2018

She had to have her horse, Scarlet, euthanized and wanted to find a barrel-racing horse that wouldn’t have to be trained from scratch.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 5, 2018

She got into barrel racing as a teenager and was 23 when she bought her first barrel-racing horse.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 5, 2018

Olson never had any formal horseback riding or barrel-racing training — nothing like what young riders have access to now.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 5, 2018