Barrel racing is one of the premier cowgirl events at the annual July 4th weekend rodeo in Leon Iowa rodeo. Competitors burst into the arena tripping a light beam to start their timed run. They must guide their horse around three barrels in a predetermined course route. If they knock over a barrel it adds 5 seconds to their time and effectively eliminates them from any chance to win the event. When they have completed rounding the barrels they race back out of the arena tripping another light beam stopping their time.