Horses have always played an important role in my life, but it wasn’t until I decided to pursue competitive show jumping that I realized the time, dedication, and money required to partake in the sport. Many people don’t realize the financial requirements that come with owning a horse, especially a show horse. Competitive riding and horse ownership are not hobbies that one can pick up and put down whenever it is convenient; they require constant commitment and, oftentimes, sacrifice. Fortunately, my mother recognized my passion and supported my endeavors, allowing me to pursue my dream of competing at the Winter Equestrian Festival.
At the age of 14, my dream of riding professionally led me to Hunter Creek Farm, a competitive riding facility in my area. The trainer, MaiLin, recognized my talent and determination despite my inexperience. In the coming years, I spent countless hours at the barn developing the horsemanship, riding skills, and discipline needed to excel in the sport. Although my family’s significant financial restrictions made me the underdog at competitions, MaiLin’s mentoring and my
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In my junior year of high school, I began taking online college classes through a dual enrollment program; however, I still had a horse that was relying on me. “Tavinere” needed to keep a roof over his head – when my family could no longer afford the rising costs of maintaining him, I worked at the stable in exchange for a reduced boarding fee. While school was a priority, competitive riding was my passion, and working was a necessity. I was able to achieve success in overcoming the challenges of time management. After years of juggling year-round academics, equestrian competition, working, and maintaining strong family relationships, I am confident that I can handle any obstacles come my
Lisa Lockhart is no rookie to the Rodeo world. She is an extremely accomplished barrel racer. She is a nine-time WNFR qualifier and a four-time Canadian champion. At the 2014, Wrangler’s National Finals Rodeo (WNFR) Lisa won the average title and finished runner-up for the World Title, crossing the impressive one million dollar mark in career earnings. Her horse Louie is a beautiful Buckskin horse that goes everywhere with Lisa, when it comes to rodeo he is Lisa’s best friend. “As long as I do my job, he just does his. He is just a horse that is so willing to please. Over the past five years, Lisa has been a very consistent competitor finishing top five in the World Standings each year.
"Number 278 Your Honor!!!” This is what I hear as I ride my horse, Ranger, along the perimeter of the huge ring that holds all my fears, worries, hopes, dreams, and accomplishments. As the announcer yells into the loud speaker “Riders the judges say ride on at a Running Walk!” I pick up speed flying past my competition, so many World Champions and World Grand Champions on one fair ground, it can be over whelming at times. As the riders sit in the ring patiently anticipating the results all I can think is how lucky I am to be part of such an amazing breed of horse, and to feel blessed that the Tennessee Walking Horse Association was so great. But after I leave the ring collecting my 1st place ribbon, there is a commotion by the inspection table, someone just got a ticket for scars on their horse’s ankles, and now they don’t get to show their “injured” horse. The problem with this? There is nothing wrong with their horse, yes he had scars on his ankles but he was not in pain. You see this particular horse was not well taken care of in his previous home, he was abused. Then his current trainer saved him from that bad place, and now because of his past he is not able to show. I and many others personally know this trainer and she would never do anything to hurt her horse, he is her prized possession. Abuse to the Tennessee Walking horse was a huge problem in the past, but not so much anymore.
Young, Rhoria Lee, and Maggie Bracher. "Horsemastership part 2: Physical, psychological, educational and social benefits." International Journal of Therapy & Rehabilitation 12.3 (2005): 120-125. Web. 8 Mar. 2011.
Levinson's, F. (2011, September 20). Horse Therapy - Changing Lives . Retrieved November 5, 2013, from Way of the Horse
Draper, Judith, Debby Sly, and Sarah Muir. Complete Book of Horses and Riding. New York, NY: Barnes & Noble Inc., 2003. Print.
Contrary to my achievements, my first tryst with horse riding wasn’t smooth sailing. Distinct images of the first day at the stable flash before my eyes every time I reflect upon my humble beginning. I was helped on to the horse by my trainer and instructed to take the reins in my hands when suddenly the horse spooked and charged towards the fence. I fell off and lay still; the
Sliding the barn doors open, I step into a warm, comforting environment. Musty straw mingles with the sharp aroma of pine shavings, complementing each other. A warm glow from sporadically placed incandescent lightbulbs richens the leather tack, all cleaned and hanging ready for the day's use. From it wafts the smell of a new pair of shoes. The fruity essence of "Show Sheen", applied after yesterday's baths, still lingers in the air. Even the harsh stinging scent of urine and manure is welcome at this early morning hour. Breaking open a bale of hay, I sense the sweetness of the dried timothy as it engulfs my olfactory system, making me wish my queasy stomach had not made me skip breakfast. I am nervous, as are many others. I know that the day ahead will bring excitement, dread, triumph, and defeat. The unpredictable nature of horse shows causes frenzied questions, like salmon spawning, to run constantly though my mind. Will the judge like my own particular style? What if the red flowers bordering the first jump spook my horse? What if a piece of paper on the ground blows into the ring? Will this horse show be a success? The outcome depends not just on me; but a...
Moreover, the best individuals are the individuals who went for what they had faith in and what really matters to them. Horse hustling is your obsession. So as opposed to taking off to the track each possibility you get the chance to wager your taxicab toll or your lease on a steed, why not get a buck or two giving out steed hustling tips to the individuals who can really manage the cost of it? From Pony to Stallion Like all things beneficial, you should begin little to set up yourself in the business.
Popular opinion is that the Quarter Horse is the best overall western style competition and pleasure horse. Conversely, in the past I have talked to other active horsemen who said that one or another of their various breeds of horses performed better than the Quarter Horses they owned. I have 4 horses: 2 Quarter Horses named Buck and Scout, 1 Thoroughbred named Bugsy, and 1 Rocky Mountain Ranger named Jack. For the purposes of this paper we will only take into consideration the two horses that are in condition for, and train to compete; Scout the Quarter Horse and Jack the Rocky Mountain Ranger. The only slight differences are their ages, sizes and breed specific abilities. Other than those qualities, they are essentially the same. They get the same types of feeds, live in the same conditions and get, essentially, the same exercise and training. They are close to each other in both experience and talent; Scout has been through 3 seasons of competition and Jack has been through 2. The only significant difference between them is just that, themselves. Although it’s in contravention to accepted wisdom; I’ve found that of the two, Jack is far and above the best all around western style horse I’ve ever sat.
much an athlete as the rider. Barrel Racing is one sport where horses and their riders compete to get th...
Whether it be winning money on a Tuesday night barrel race in Verndale, or being the 2D champion at Race for the Roses, I know that my hard work is to credit for the astounding actions of my horses. Horses taught me to be dedicated and to never give up. This past year, one of my horses was horrible with tipping barrels over. Day after day, drill after drill, I worked with him to move his body out and around the barrel. The last show I brought him to proved how much I worked with him. We ran perfect runs and won money.