Anyone familiar with Barrel Racing ? (horses) Are (participants) a " Red Neck" culture or peer group ?

Question

would like to hear a barrel racers opinion if i could, thanks.

Answer 1

I did it about 12yrs ago, and that thought never passed my mind. I think it depends on the area you live in. I'm from a high class la te da kind a place in Massachusetts and they didn't call me a redneck. But now, in the part of Florida I'm in, which areas of are redneck, barrel racing would be considered redneck for sure. There's a lot of things in this area that are considered redneck that definently are not redneck where I'm from, which is weird, b/c It was much classier and this place seriously lacks culture! So I guess my answer is - it depends on the ignorance of those making the judgement! I say no, & screw them if they say it is, do it anyway and have fun with it!

Answer 2

There are basically two kinds of barrel racers: the kind that do it for fun, kind of weekend gymkhana riders, and the kind that are deadly serious about it to the point of making a living doing it.

Neither kind is what I would term a "red neck" culture. The kind who make a living doing it are usually pretty straightforward business people, who buy and sell barrel horse prospects, train horses for other people, and give clinics on barrel racing when they aren't on the road competing. These people are straightforward no-nonsense people who are all about horses and the competition.

The kind of people who do it mostly for fun are usually relatively young women, because competing can be physically demanding, and once you get grown and have family and work obligations, it's hard to find time to keep in competitive shape. It's also hard on horses, because once a horse has been used for gymkhana events (timed, speed-dependent events), it messes them up for other things-- they can get speed-mad and "hot" under saddle, which isn't a lot of fun if all you want to do is take it easy!

I don't know if I'd characterize it as "red neck," but in general people who compete on the rodeo circuit are somewhat more conserative in their politics than the general population, but they aren't rubes or bigots or plow-clods, if that's what you mean. They're mostly very nice people with a love of America who find their faith and their families very important.

Some of the real hard-core professional competitors can be a little disconcerting to be around, because so much of their lives revolve around competition, but that's more because it's the world they're immersed in than anything else.

Answer 3

I'm a barrel racer and it's not really a "Red Neck" thing. I will admit i am a little red neck but I've seen some girls barrel race with a tone of makeup on and waring all sorts of jewelry.

Answer 4

I'm not a barrel racer, but I've been around them so much that I know from experience that they are NOT rednecks. Most of the people that call themselves rednecks are actually very proud of that. Barrel racing or rodeos in general are a way of life, that are just as good as every other way of life. If you are worried about peer pressure for a family member, be proud of them instead of worrying about the way others think. Barrel racing is for "hicks" like football is to "jocks".

Answer 5

I am a barrel racer and i am not a red neck.....more like the preppy cowgirl!!!!

Answer 6

I think they are a group of people like many other groups..they do something that they enjoy