| Originally an Open race where everyone ran | | | | but taking him to larger shows he may |
| together, beginners and professionals alike, | | | | struggle making it in 3D/4D. Be sure to |
| barrel racing has now grown to having | | | | check his record against other shows. Arenas, |
| divisional races. The new 4D format allows | | | | ground conditions, and pattern size all can |
| everyone an opportunity to place and win at | | | | vary on any certain day, causing your time to |
| events, and even bring home some extra cash. | | | | be different. But the benefit of that is you |
| But has this had a negative or positive | | | | can sell a horse that is a few seconds off |
| effect on the industry?The plus side of this | | | | the usual winning time and still make a |
| for competitors is they now have more of a | | | | decent profit on him. Perhaps the reason |
| chance to be in the money. You do not need | | | | people look for theses horses with the |
| to have the fastest horse to place, but the | | | | potential to be more is because of the 4D |
| fastest horse is going to bring home the | | | | format. They can still place and win money |
| biggest purse. With these divisions it seems | | | | while trying to improve their horses run, and |
| the horse market has grown as well. Now you | | | | they tend to be a bit cheaper then a winning |
| can sell a horse that is 2D/3D with the | | | | 1D horse.With this format, the purse can be |
| potential to be a 1D horse within in weeks if | | | | larger by the number of racers there are in |
| not days after he is up for sale. However, | | | | the sport now. Inexperienced people feel |
| the way he ran his 2D races may not compare | | | | comfortable going to races and competing, |
| to the way you want to place in 2D at | | | | even if it is with some of the best riders in |
| different events. He may have been a | | | | the state. Often times races have an added |
| consistent 2D horse at a local saddle club, | | | | jackpot of $100, $500, $1000 and up. |