Three barrels shall be placed to form an isosceles triangle. (See Rules 251 and 251 C for timeline)
- Course shall be accurately measured with a tape. Show management should avoid running heats, if possible.
- The timing line shall be 60 ft. from both barrels #1 and #2.
- The distance from barrel #1 to barrel #2 shall be 90 feet.
- The distance from barrel #1 to barrel #3 shall be 105 feet and also from barrel #2 to barrel #3 shall be 105 feet.
- The timing line (poles or automatic timer) should be at least 45 feet from the end of the arena. They should be set at the width of barrel (s) # 1 and # 2 on the arena sides.
- If the arena does not allow the above measurements, barrels #1 and #2 must be 18 feet from the side of the arena.
- Barrel #3 must be at least 36 feet from the end of the arena.
- The barrels shall be run, as in the diagram, using Course #1 or #2.
- Course #1 – Entry shall cross the timing line, circle barrel #1 clockwise, circle barrel #2 counter-clockwise, circle barrel #3 counter-clockwise, and run back, between #1 and #2, across time line.
- Course #2 (reverse order) – entry shall cross the timing line, circle barrel #2 counter clockwise, circle barrel #1 clockwise, circle barrel #3 clockwise, and run back across time line.
- Knocking over a barrel will constitute a five second penalty for each barrel knocked over. Touching a barrel is permitted.
- Contestants shall be disqualified for not following the pattern.