This event is known as barrel racing. Cowgirls usually like to bedazzle their horses in all sorts of different tack, but the main pieces that are needed are a barrel saddle, a breastcollar, a bridle, and sometimes a tie down. Barrel horses need a lot of practice so that they can memorize the pattern and get their turns correct. The pattern is known as the clover leaf pattern, which consists of three barrels spaced out specifically for the size of that arena. It is called a clover leaf pattern since it is laid out in the shape of a triangle. A rider and their horse will come down the alley way to go to the arena, and once they are in the arena, they will make their run. They have a choice of going around either barrel that is closest to them, and they then have to finish the pattern. Once the rider and horse are around the first barrel, they will go to the second barrel, which is straight across from the first, and then they will go to the third barrel that is the farthest from the gate. When they get around the third barrel, they will run their horse to the gate, which will then stop the timer. Although the fastest time wins, the barrel racers can receive penalties. If a rider and their horse knocks over a barrel, they will have five seconds added to their score for each barrel knocked