Sat was my 11 yr old sons 1st race of his circuit show. He has been riding his mare for 5yrs and barrels for 3yrs. At the end of last year they did 21 sec barrels. Sat he decided to push her for more speed. They had 18 sec, but downed the 2nd barrel. If he keeps his mare collected she will do a perfect pattern, however whenever he pushes for speed she downs either the 1st but mostly the 2nd barrel everytime!!! It is not just on the barrel pattern, it is the same on the poles.  First I thought he was pushing her and forgetting to rate at the barrel, but he is trying to rate her and she appears to be attempting to rate, but the barrel goes down. I am at a loss of how to help him get that extra speed, and his competition is doing 18/19 sec so he is really motivated to find a way. She has the athleticism but we can't figure out why at speed she blows the barrels. He practices exercises and the pattern at home slowly, she definately seems to know the pattern, and this mare has a ton of heart and will do anything he asks.  I don't know if she is unable to move her body around the barrel athletically at speed, perhaps it is a mental issue for the mare?  We are definately at a loss. Thank you in advance for any suggestions 

Is SHe dropping her shoulder and hitting the Barrel? It is kinda confusing to picture what is going on with her from your description. You say she is blowing the barrel, then she would be coming off really wide. I am not sure what is going on so it is hard to give you any tips on how to correct. Sorry

I agree it's hard to get a visual on that one but most of the time when you add speed a horse will shoulder because they don't know how to run and turn that fast. If a horse is blowing by a barrel, their body weight is wrong and they can't slow down. Some horses catch the barrel with their hip coming out driving too hard out of the barrel too. When you add speed to your horse you have to rate your horse sooner and sometimes harder. Pick up on the inside rein more to correct their body weight away from the barrel.