Barb West

A&E’s new reality series Rodeo Girls clearly believes in the motto “If you’ve got it, flaunt it” as its cast of five easy-on-the-eyes barrel racers have clearly “got it” in the form of barrel racing skills and sex appeal — both of which were clearly flaunted in the third episode titled “Bikinis or Bust” featuring a few of the gals participating in a bikini barrel racing event in hopes of taking home a $5,000 custom saddle. So, is bikini barrel racing a real phenomenon on the professional rodeo circuit? This diligent blogger did the research and has the answers! (With photos of course.)

Wednesday night A&E premieres its latest reality show venture Rodeo Girls starring a line up of easy-on-the-eyes female barrel racers as they navigate the professional rodeo circuit and all of its pitfalls — both in the rodeo ring and out. As is the case any time a preview trailer for a reality show features cast members in bikinis having a good time (Heaven forbid), there has been a pre-airing backlash against Rodeo Girls from some purists who insist the show isn’t an accurate portrayal of successful, hard-working rodeo girls, with suggestions that the women on the show aren’t even “real” professional rodeo girls. So, I did a little research to see just how accurate these accusations are.