For the last several weeks, I have been thinking alot about my passion and hobby, barrel racing. Mainly, because the horse that I have owned for the last 8years, Sis, has been proving to me that she is consistent and competitive. Although, we have had our ups and downs through the years-I do believe we have finally come together as a "team".
Ever since starting to barrel race at age of 12, I admired the rodeo girls. That little bit of spotlight for those 17 seconds or less, the crowds cheering for you, the excitement, the beauty of horse and rider, the smiles on the faces of the kids that sat in the audience seeing their first horse or first rodeo. Just an all around American sport born from real working cowboys and cowgirls. I've been asked, what is the difference between a regular barrel race at a local jackpot and a rodeo? Why do you want to do this? I guess the only way to describe it is comparing playing the game of baseball for your local firehall to playing baseball at PNC Park for the Pittsburgh Pirates. It's a different caliber of competition, it's a little bit of spotlight, the excitement of the rodeo atmosphere as it is a "performance" to all those attending, the crowds, etc. I think Garth Brooks wrapped it up in his song "Rodeo".
I had several horses come and go through the years. Some were ugly (Frosty Q Bars), some had my families pizza shops named after them (I'm Double Too), some I owned for only a short period of time before following my hubby in the Navy to Hawaii (Rambo III), some I raised from a baby and whom ended up thinking barrel racing was more like bowling and caused all the scars on my knees (Scout Dee Bar), some suited my hubby more than myself and were laid back trail horses (Skojet Pete)... and then some, after years of "trading up", adding more cash to the deal.. seemed to be my shining star! (Dandy Nick Bar- aka PEEWEE).
Peewee and I had the time of our life that year I owned him. (1998). We were at the top of our game! I was standing in the Top 5 for Novice Rider that year! My confidence was souring... all I could think of was our years to come competing together, getting that rodeo card, kicking some butt! Our Finals for our local organizatin were in October. I was sitting well for Novice Rider Champion. The week before, when conditioning him and several other horses my friend owned, he fell ill. Not sure why, whether it was because we were riding the other horses around him and he panicked being alone-making him colic, or what the issue really was that made him sick. However, my friend stayed up with him all night-as I boarded at the time. She gave me a report the next day, and it didn't seem any better. When I went out to see him that next day-I brushed him, and his skin felt like there were corn flakes underneath-it was so weird. That Thursday, we decided we better get him to the vet clinic in Aurora, Ohio. Friday morning came, I had no horse for the finals weekend, so my good friend, Jeanie Bowersock, lent me the horse I had been exercising for her, Bubba. (Kickin Booty).
Of course, I wasn't myself that weekend, worried about Peewee. Friday the vet said, he had Colitis. Which, I really to this day don't understand how a horse actually gets that or rather how Peewee did. I made my Saturday night run on Bubba-which was very difficult to do, with the blubbering I was doing! Thank goodness Bubba just handled me and did his job..with very little assistance from me. I got down off him after my run, saw my husband, Sean, standing in the aisleway waiting for me. He had the flu, so I knew him coming out and about, what he had to say, was NOT good. He informed me that the vet called and PeeWee died. All I remember really, is falling to the floor..staring at Bubba's legs, his boots still on..crying. I remember my friends gathering around me... getting Bubba untacked, saying they were sorry.. and then the rest of that weekend was a blur. I still made my runs Sunday, but, were half efforts if not no effort on my part. I had gone home that Saturday night-beside myself, and in the mail-the insurance papers for me to sign to insure Peewee were sitting on the counter. All that hard earned money, trading up for better horses, adding more money-this horse that I finally acquired was all lost to me-because if I had him insured and something happened I could have recovered that cash. I never in my life had a horse of such caliber, that I would even consider insuring, so I had no clue about insurance. They never told me I could bind him with a credit card. So, needless to say, the $10,000 I had built up in Peewee... was out the door. I had nothing.
I finished up, somewhere in the Top 5 that year. No buckle, no saddle, some awards and a hefty vet bill from only a day and half of Peewee being at the clinic. Luckily, the community of barrel racers in my area, family and friends-had a collection, and helped me pay that bill. Jeanie, allowed me to continue to ride Bubba and to compete on him. I got a second job at the mall after work, and made payments to her til he was paid off. He was a heck of a horse too. Just big, and a little intimidating to me as he didnt' have quite the brakes I would have liked. He ran me into some tractors, walls, gates, etc. I still remember at Congress, slamming into that door they closed after you entered arena. I thought he'd stop.. but.. nope.. slammed right into it. I remember the kids sitting right over top that door, jumping when we hit-I looked up at them after, and said, "bet you that you thought we'd stop"... and then I said "I thought I would too". We won some Top 10 awards-but my lack of confidence with him, didn't promote me getting that rodeo card. So, I decided to start the family-as I certainly wasn't getting any younger.
In 2000, my daughter was born. In 2002, my son was born. 2003, I thought I'd try to get back into the game, as I had sorta taken a hiatas. I took Bubba to Jeanie's in the Spring to leg him up. While there, a woman that bought a horse, Fanny, wasn't getting along with her. She loved Bubba, wanted to ride him and wasn't afraid of the "no stop on a dime" thing. So, I said go for it, as I just wasn't totally clicking with him. She loved him, we traded..as, Fanny I knew was a step up. So once again, in my mind, I was trading up...getting myself to that rodeo horse again. Two weeks after I owned her, only hitting one barrel race... she fell ill. She couldn't breath and had to have surgery. The surgery seemed to go well, but she developed scar tissue, needed a tracheotomy. The person who originally owned Fanny before the girl that took Bubba, took ownership back hoping to get her well enough to give her a foal-and I acquired Sis through this, who at the time was 5 years old and just starting barrel training. Certainly not the rodeo horse, or finished horse I wanted-but at least, it was something to throw my saddle over at the time. So again, I basically was starting from scratch. Fanny, unfortunately died, as a horse couldn't live with a tracheotomy.
Sis, was ok, I just wasn't so thrilled. As knew she needed training and seasoned. My good friend, Jeanie, trained her for several months. She was coming along nicely. Consistent no doubt. Most people said, that is one horse that will be around for a long time. There were times, I thought.. she just isn't timing out... I was in the 3rd division mostly. Kicking, riding as hard as I thought I could. I thought, she'd be a perfect Youth horse as she was automatic, and probably fast enough to do well in the Youth classes.
In fact, a youth, Chrissy, that I competed with and knew, her horse passed away. She was in good standings for the organization. So instead of let her fall out of the competition before finding a new horse-I lent Sis to her for a weekend. She won and placed in every class she ran. Always in the 1D. I was very happy for her and proud as well.
Still, however, I just didn't see Sis coming along to be that rodeo horse. Consistent, but to me, not fast enough. I didn't want to embarrass myself trying to compete at rodeo level. I decided, time to try something else, and I bought a filly. T-bird, was what I called her.
I thought, I'd try one last thing with Sis-before sending her down the road - a clinic!! Charmayne James was coming to PA! I was thrilled! I thought-THIS IS IT! Sis ran perfect barrels... maybe Charmayne could show me how to get more outta her..get her running harder.
Unfortunately, one night, while bringing in the horses-I brought Sis in first..she was having a "hissy" fit (or Sissy fit lol) over the other horses not being inside yet. Started bucking, rearing in her stall. Well, I took her halter off..she twisted my finger in the halter..I yelled at her, and gave her a smack. Well, Sis smacked back..she turned, buck kicked-I stuck up my hand to block it..and caught her hoof in my hand. Was probably one of the more dumb things I've done..to have an arguement with a mare that is already kinda pissy in a stall nonetheless. She broke my wrist.
So, there went the Charmayne James clinic. They were kind enough to refund my money. I was so disappointed.
Jeanie, took Sis and T as my hubby was not real comfortable caring for them while I was down. I don't think he was real thrilled with Sissy girl at the time either... I couldn't even move my fingers in my right hand for two weeks. I was quite panicked I'd never be able to race again, but my Dr. assured me, it was only from swelling.
While Sis was with Jeanie, Jeanie rode and raced her. She was able to get her to move out more. Her times became quicker. Perhaps it was a more confident rider that gave Sis more confidence in her ability as well. Once I got back to riding and competing, I realized Sis was something to hold onto. T, being she had bucked me off a few times-had to move down the road however. With kids swinging on swings, screaming down slides while I would try to work her-just never worked out well for me riding a colt. I didn't have the time to devote to something so young. Sis, a horse that didn't need worked on barrels, just needed kept fit, was exactly what I needed.
We started to get into our groove. Those thoughts of Rodeo once again seeping into my head. The kids were young though, so still was rough every weekend getting Sis out.. or riding as much as I'd like. Then, 2009 came along...I thought...THIS is the year! I'm hitting it hard...gonna get her going ..and THEN 2010 get my rodeo card!
My step was diagnosed with a brain tumor in October of 2009. That fight began. There were alot of hospitaol trips, alot of days off taken supporting him and my mother through all of that. 2010 came and went, and I didn't get to that many barrel races due to everything. More than I had been, but still not enough to get me thinking it was time to push myself harder.
My good friend, Jeanie, also had alot going on in her family as well. So, it seemed to be a very depressing time..and not a time I wanted to fill with selfish dreams. My step father lost the fight with cancer on October 1, 2010. Three months later, I received a call at work, that my father passed away of a heart attack on January 31. I went from having two fathers, to none within such a short time. After the year battle with my step father, losing my dad was a big blow.
I started out VERY slow racing in 2011. Had no enthusiasm to say the least. But, by late Spring... I realized, riding, was a very happy place for me. Jeanie and I, along with another hauling friend, Darenda, all vowed to have a better year in 2011. Jeanie had lost her nephew to cancer, her father, and also her sister to cancer as well. She also broke her arm July 4, 2010..so, now that she was recovered, she was ready to go as well. Darenda, lost her beloved horse and long time friend, Kid. Darenda's soon to be sister-in-law, Debbie, also started hauling with us and was a novice at the barrel racing and wanting to improve along side us. So together, we were all determined to have a great year.
So, 2010 has been a great year to say the least! I started a little late for the IBRA season, so really wasn't at the top of any division as far as points come the end of 2011 year. But, every barrel race we went to, Sis improved.
She started giving me trouble in a particular pen-actually her "home" pen where Jeanie trained her-in the chute going in. I do believe she was just sick of running there. But, barrel horses have to run where we want them to run. So, a brave move by me, (is what I tell Jeanie anway-that it was brave-she said, was a little dumb-to try at a barrel race first, and not at home)..but I threw a pair of spurs on. Thought, since it worked for Jeanie, with her colt giving her a hard time going in pen, I'd do so as well. Oh, it worked! She flew! I was second in the Masters that day! However, coming out of the pen..the spurs still worked a bit too well, and I had no brakes! Almost ran Darenda down-as she helped me in that run. Stopped only when I ran into the outside barn door. I thought, wow! Can't believe she timed out like that! However, I was taking the spurs off! Jeanie said, leave them on, she worked awesome, and picked up her speed! I did for the 4D! OMG, she flew..I don't think I ever sat on a horse running that hard and quick around barrels! I, however, lost my stirrup, and therefore, coming to the timer, was "searching, reaching" for my stirrup, and apparently bumped her again with spur. Well, she flew into another gear when she hit that timer, and right out the door! Not stopping til I hit a fence a bit outside. THEN, I heard the announcer..timer didn't work!!!! So, I have no clue what I ran that run..but I know, she was in the top 5 no doubt in my mind! I got told several times, what a beautiful run... and also asked if I needed a change of pants! Needless to say, I left the spurs off for a bit, until I can be confident that I won't bump her when I'm not supposed to. I've never ridden with spurs, so not so skilled at using them quite yet.
I do believe, from just that one run or two with spurs, she realizes how much faster she can go! And has kept up her speed. For several weekends, I was in the top of the 1D. Once, beginning of August, I was 4th out of 110 horses! What a rush that was, to know Sis can do it! With the winnings from that day, I decided to purchase a new tack set-Steeler colors of course-with my boss, Franco Harris' #32-as I have worked for him for 20 years now and he's supported me throughout.
I finally got to wear it last weekend. Sis ran well, even though it was a new pen, she worked to a perfection. Her time, didn't seem so great. Just wasn't clocking like she normally does. When she came out of the pen, she hunched up, and her front feet were walking a bit weird. I remember looking down, thinking, what are you doing. When we got back to Jeanie's, her nose was bleeding. Of course panic settled in. But then Jeanie's husband, who deals alot with race horses, told me ,put her on anti-biotics for 10 days, treat her respiratory system, and keep an eye on her, make sure she's always fit before running her, make sure dust is down in her stall, etc. So, I am doing so now. I am not sure if that means my 2011 season has concluded yet or not. As daylight fades on me this time of year, that it is dark by the time I get home, so I can't ride. I won't risk racing her if I can't keep her fit. So, we'll see. I could board her somewhere with an indoor arena, however, I will have to look and see what barrel races are coming up, and if it's worth going through the trouble of boarding for a month or so before the snow flies. I typically take winters off, as here, races more or less get cancelled due to snow-and when there is only one a month or two, just seems better to me, to give her a little bit of of a break. I haven't decided quit yet.
My plans for 2012---- I would like to get my rodeo card (International Professional Rodeo Association) card! FINALLY! I feel Sis is finally that horse! My diamond in the rough-which it has been a rough journey up until this point no doubt. But, we all only live once-and with the loss of an Uncle in August 2009, a grandmother in December 2009, my step father in October, 2010, and my father in January 2011--- I realize, life is way too short. Our dreams will only come true if we have the courage to chase them. I'm 42, and not getting any younger! However, I don't want to ride for myself-I want to ride for those loved ones lost-I'd like to ride for those still battling-and I'd also like to ride for the animals. Therefore, Dreaming of Three, is what I will call this journey. Dreaming of those three perfect barrels every time I run...so therefore, I can donate my winnings to three great charities-The American Cancer Society-The American Heart Association-and the several animal rescue shelters that are close to my heart. (Animal Friends, Pittsburgh PA-Best Friends, Utah-Forever Safe, Salem, OH, and Last Chance Corral-so many I want to give to-so hard to pick only one)
I'd like to gain sponsorships, to cover my fuel and entry fees to as many rodeos as I can possibly hit along with regular jackpot barrel races. Therefore, donating portions of any winnings, between these three causes.
I will keep you posted, on any new developments as I plot this course for 2012!
