I can't quite understand Barrel Racing?

I don't get it either. The horses must be so dead sided from all the kicking. And just at small shows I have entered the barrel cles just for fun. In a english saddle, with no kicking, and and very little rein pressure I came in 3rd in barrels and 2nd in pole bending. So I don't see why the actual barrel racers have to kick the horse so much.