CNFR: Barrel racers rise early for a fast start

Quincy Freeman's day began at 4 a.m. Tuesday, three hours before she was scheduled to compete in the second go-round of barrel racing at the College National Finals Rodeo. With slack at 7 a.m. Monday and Tuesday to handle the number of contestants at the CNFR, there are more than 370 cowboys and cowgirls competing this year, the day starts early. That's especially true for the barrel racers, whose event is first. "I have to get up at four o'clock, and then I have to feed my horse and give him any medicine he might need, because that takes at least an hour to kick in," the Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo junior said. "Barrel racers are really the ones that have to wake up early. Those other contestants can just sleep in."...more