I am asking out of pure curiousity. I was watching the BFA and feel many of the Brazilian riders are amazing athletes but I also wonder about the longevity of the horses they ride/run. It seems to me that style does alot of moving, shifting, on their face, etc instead of sitting in the middle and guiding. How does this fare in terms of longevity of horses. Not sure if I am explaining my question well or not. Dont flame me, I am taking nothing away from these athletes but I was curious what others think. 

I don't know but it drives me crazy. Doesn't take away from the fact that they can flat smoke a run. But watching the way they ride sometimes is painful for me. Again, they are far superior riders than I could ever dream of being, but personally I like prefer watching a quiet rider. 

I read that horses in Brazil have very short careers. The style isn’t conducive to longevity. Plus they don’t have very good vets or the preventative therapies we do here in the states.

Well, I don't mind being undiplomatic- NO WAY in he$& would I let either of the Brazilian riders on one of my horses. Even if I was a professional I would NOT put them on my horses, I don't care how much money they could earn me. Horses don't deserve that kind of riding. 

Holy moly. I'm SO glad I'm not the only ones who watches those runs and while I don't want to diminish their accomplishments, and in NO WAY in this lifetime could I ever ride that calibur of horse and not die, but I cringe at that type of riding. They're much better, much more athletic that me, but I still cringe. 

I don't see them as athletes at all. They look like they are balancing on the reins, they are all over the horse, they remind of the Indian agent in McClintock movie. He stayed on the horse but lord a mercy, he had a death grip on those reins. 
To me the athletic rider rides like Sherri Cervi or Kassie Mowry. Very little movement, quiet still body and hands. I can't ride a 1D horse like them, I think I would look like the Brazilians, only not nearly as fast. 

I'm glad to see others with the same opinion as me. I watched one on a very well known barrel racers horse, and I thought, that poor little horse is going to be so sore. 

Obviously it works for them but no way in hell would any of them get on my horses. I've had horses that if you didn't sit square and quite you wouldn't stay in the buggy.

I saw the first round & that little horse was already planning to hit a barrel before it even crossed the timer to start the run. The brazilians just think run, don't care to put one where they need to be. It's all balls to the wall & hope they don't hit one on their own. They just pray they can lift a leg or whip their body around to avoid it vs actually keeping the horse off it. I'd scratch my entry before I put one on my horse 

got videos  ? i did not watch any of bfa

Most of the great U.S. stallions sold to Brazilians also had/have a short life span.

I would much rather watch a quiet rider run a horse that knows his job and wants to work. The horses mouthes have to get sore with that much pulling and tugging. 

I would not put one on mine if they paid me to ride.  I felt very sorry for the horses.  They give a new meaning to "snatch and grab barrels"

How in the heck did those horses not fall down with that one guy leaning so far over at each barrel. 

i guess i am odd man out  i don/t see it yes  hands are  high but u know what  i have seen a hell of a lot worse by gals that love to jump up in the saddle and do splits while running.  saysd he work for fallon? i would image she knows exactly how he rides  

just an opioion and eveyone has 1

he won it     i saw a lot of loose reins pretty dang athelitic to me reach to keep barrel up and s tay on, was ity m,yu style no  i love watching barrel racing andf cutting

Yep!!!  

I bet Shannon Kerr's thoughts and opinions would be a whole lot different in what some have about the Brazillan barrel racers. Maybe she will see this and come on, shes a really Sharp lady when it comes to barrel racing in Brazil.

I didn't see near as many girls starfishing as I used too. I wouldn't  let those girls ride my horses either. Jerking the reins, see less of that too. And whipping. Barrel racers are making strides in humane horsemanship as far as I can tell from watching them run. It's still going on, but much less than it used to. 

What is starfishing?   

When they kick so hard their legs are doing the splits and their arms are going every which way. That is MY definition 

Oh yeah, meanwhile popping up and down in the saddle and thumping the air out of your horse.  Got it.   !!!  

Sherri Cervi is definitely the polar opposite of this style of riding and look at all the wonderful horses she's ridden.

Our trainer made the comment the other day that he use to make fun of barrel racers style of riding, but since attending the last American he has a whole new respect for them with the jockeying he witnessed. Hes geared towards training roping horses and starting colts ... hes not a barrel trainer and he obviously doesn't attend a bunch of races to see how things have evolved. I myself try to stay as smooth as possible, while I'm only loping the barrels right now, I always have that smoothness and quietness on my brain! I dont want to be flopping around in the saddle or ripping my horses face off to turn .... I've seen some really wild runs, it's not pretty but it gets the job done i suppose. I want my runs to be pretty... and fast... pretty fast lol! 

Personally the style drives me crazy. I guess I am not sure that I see it presenting a lot of soundness issues but they wouldnt be riding my horses. Mainly because I aint that flexible to avoid barrels if the horses get used to running that way lol 

I do love to watch a quiet, nice run. Lisa and Sherry are prime examples of this. Loud riding just bothers me in general.

I honestly don't really care. When it works, it works, when it doesn't, it doesn't.  Lots of riders riding quiet and square also hit barrels this weekend.  LOL. When it doesn't work, it's just one more spot in the money for potentially me to be in, so more power to it haha. 

I am coming at this from the horse's welfare. You can't tell me that all that jerking, snatching and flailing around in the saddle doesn't affect the horse - mentally, physically and emotionally. I realize that very few of us ( especially me)can ride like Lisa and Sherri, but most of us try really hard and most of us don't ride like the Brazilians do, although some do.  Horses don't ask for this competitive life, so the least we can do is ride and take care of them to the best of our ability. 

Amen! Horses can feel a tiny fly landing on them... imagine all that other stuff banging against them. I prefer quiet, calm and smooth and I feel my horses do as well. But then again I'm not out there competing for a lot of money either so what the heck do I know lol! I sure appreciate watching some of the mentioned quiet smooth riders, it's like a well oiled machine working at its finest. 

It turns me off completely.  All I can think is that dude is coming into the arena to showboat from the get. Ride like a maniac with intention to use his hand to hold up every barrel. Sure I've seen some sweet saves from girls but they certainly don't go into the arena with that as their objective.  Did he ultimately get the job done - sure.  Do I ride that caliber of horse - no.  But, it turns me off regardless. 

From what I've seen, I imagine it's a big money lifestyle for the rich and wanna be famous from Brazil. It's certainly not an equal opportunity for the average Brazilian. I agree that the style of riding/running isn't conducive to career longevity.

Obviously lots of different styles can win lots of money. In my personal opinion, I think I speaks to a lack of horsemanship. Kind of like watching those fearless little peewee division riders. It works for them now but it won't work for every horse down the road as they grow. I very much think less of riders who have a poor riding style despite how much they win or have won. I think that actually says more about the horses they run than the rider themselves. I personally think the best barrel racing to watch are the runs where you barely notice the rider. The runs that all you can see is a horse working and loving it.