I have done cattle work down south, and also barrel racing etc - there are a couple of places in the SouthEast that have cows.

I watched the mules doing Barrel Racing on My Bishop Mule Days DVD's it looked fun but Malaga's got to be backed first and I think we'll learn to walk and trott first!
Can anyone explain the rules of the "Keyhole" race thing?From my DVD it looks like the rider races up to the judge who's standing (Precariously) in a marked off box then turn round and race back

See/www.chickeemonkee.com/event_descriptions.htm
Found this on the internet - Western Horsemen of Oregan website. I presume the rules will be pretty well the same where ever, as it seems to be a very simple race.

Moved thread here as it appears to be heading in this direction.

would love to be able to do cattle work etc. Although I understand why WES originally disassociated themselves with the 'cowboy' image, I think the perception of western riding has moved on a great deal in the UK and we should now welcome 'proper cowboy' stuff!
There has been talk that AQHA.UK may offer limited cutting classes so that is a step in the right direction.
Done properly, cattle work is fantastic to watch and the horses love it too. I hate to see it done badly though; most of us have witnessed events where riders and horses haven't had the necessary schooling and look more like something out of a 'B' movie, horses getting socked in the mouth and badly spurred.
IMO, it's about time we acknowledged the part the cowboy has played in our modern day way of western riding, and give the cowboy the respect he (or she) deserves!

Thanks for posting the keyhole race rules