Horse and rider run a serpentine pattern through six poles that are six feet in height and placed 21 feet apart. More difficult than barrel racing, pole bending requires the horse to change leads, in other words, to change which front leg is put forward as it weaves through the poles. A five-second penalty is assessed for each pole that is knocked down. Breaking the pattern results in disqualification. The fastest time wins.

Flag racing is set on a simple course of two barrels and a pole. Atop each barrel is a bucket filled with rabbit feed that keeps a flag standing up. The rider must make the horse pass as close to the barrels as possible so he or she can pick up the flag from the first barrel and stick it in the second barrel. If bucket, barrel or pole is knocked over the rider will be penalized or disqualified. Again the fastest time wins. Sounds simple but try doing this at 30 miles per hour on the back of a horse. This photo is from a rodeo in Denver we attended 2 years ago.

Contestants vie for the fastest time running a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels set in a triangle. Horse and rider are allowed a running start. Time begins and ends upon crossing the starting line. A five-second penalty is assessed for knocking over a barrel. Disqualification takes place if horse and rider break the pattern. The pattern can be started to the right or left. The fastest time wins.