JR Performance Horses

01/18/2025

Florida all breed starts in March and finish Coastal Plains season out- so get your show partner now!

01/18/2025

01/12/2025

Lessons learned long and hard in the horse business as a barn owner..

1. It's easy to fall in love with your customers. They become a family who you spend a lot of time with. However, in the end they will do what's best for themselves. And, for you and them, those paths may not be the same. Prepare to get your heart broken. Keep business and personal relationships separate.

2. People will not always trust in your experience and will second guess you. They will think they know better because they read it in a book, or saw it online. Don't try to be all things to all people. Do what you are good at. Run your barn in a way that you can sleep at night knowing that you did right in your mind by them and their horses. The clients opinion of that may be different than your beliefs, but you have to live with choices that leave you at peace. That may mean confrontation, hard conversations and even asking people to move on for your own peace.

3. Horses are easy 99% of the time. It's the people who come with them that make things complicated.

4. Remember that horses need to be horses.

5. People will always judge you, and have opinions. The better you are, the more haters will have opinions.

6. Success isn't measured by ribbons and show placings. It's measured in happy animals and the quality of their lives.

7. There is always an exception or quirk that doesn't " follow the rules" in horse care. Do what works, not what the books say works.

8. When you get annoyed by seeing somebody's car pull in to the barn, it's time to let that person move on. Your barn should be a happy place. It literally only takes one bad sour apple to ruin the whole atmosphere and dynamic in a barn.

9. Let it go.... if someone moves on don't be upset by it. Ignore what they say. Don't take it personally. Every barn is not a good fit for every person.

10. This is a business. If a person or horse isn't working for you, or the compensation isn't offsetting your cost, it's time for them to go. The exception to this is your retired horses, see #11.

11. Horses only have so many jumps, so many runs, so many rides. Don’t waste your horses. Teach your students they aren’t machines. You owe it to your retired horses to have a safe, comfortable and dignified end. Your schoolies worked for you. When the time comes they can no longer do that, either give them a pleasant retirement, or put them in the ground where you know they are safe. Do not dump them at auctions or onto other people where you are not 100% sure that they will be cared for.

12. There is no shame in euthanasia for a horse owner. Always better a week too early then a second too late. Do not judge anyone for their reasons for doing this.

13. Most clients fall Into two categories. Those who are "high maintenance", open in their opinions and will confront situations head on. The second is the quiet type who will not say a word and will not openly talk with you about their expectations or issues. You have no idea they have a problem until it's too late. The people in between these two are the clients you want. They will be long term and make life easy.

14. Know your worth. KNOW YOUR WORTH. Your time and experience has a monetary value. Don't do things for free, even if you like the person. Every bit of time or effort you give to clients has value. So when you don't value your effort, neither will a client. They will come to expect "freebies", which always leads to resentment from someone.

15. Be honest. It's not always easy. But in this business it takes forever to build reputation and seconds to destroy it.

16. Remember horses are dangerous. Always use your best judgment and air on the side of caution when working with horses and students. Their lives and your own life can change in an instant.

17. Get paid up front. Keep good records. People don't go to the grocery store and ask for food they will pay for next week. Good business practices keep everyone honest and sets boundaries for clients.

18. Normalize passing on price increases. Service industries, especially ones like ours always "feel guilty " when raising prices. You are not there to subsidize someone else's horse habit. Prices have been going up on costs, so should your fees.

19. The buck stops with you. Your employees mistakes fall back to your responsibility. Always verify and check on important care aspects of daily activities.

20. Make time for family and rest. Too many of us get burnt out from the stress of expectations in this industry. In the end, boarders and students come and go. Your family is who you will have left.

Thanks for reading my thoughts. I hope it can help support some of you feeling burnt out, and maybe help some people who are starting out in their journey into this industry.

Written by Rhea Distefano

01/03/2025

🫠

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas! 🎅 🎄

12/24/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1TAGguFcGx/

➡️ Why I Choose Horses for My Kid: Lessons Worth Every Penny

People often ask me, “Why do you spend so much money on horses for your kid? They’re just ‘money pits,’ emotional heart-breakers made of tissue paper that can kick your lights out. Why?”

The answer is simple: because horses teach kids more than any iPad, social media influencer, or textbook ever could.

Yes, you’re right—horses are relentless in every way. They demand your time, energy, and finances. They can test your patience, challenge your emotions, and consume you entirely. But look at what they give in return.

⚡️ Lessons That Last a Lifetime

Horses teach my child skills no technology, trendy outfit, or p*er group could ever provide:

• Nonverbal Communication: Learning to “speak” with a 1,200-pound animal without words develops awareness, empathy, and understanding.

• Responsibility: Early mornings, late nights, and putting the needs of another being before their own teach kids accountability.

• Confidence: The triumphs and struggles in the saddle or barn instill self-belief and grit.

• Emotional Intelligence: Handling setbacks, managing fears, and celebrating successes alongside a horse build emotional resilience.

• Decision-Making & Problem-Solving: When something goes wrong, as it inevitably does, kids learn to think critically and act swiftly.

• Goal Setting & Consistency: Progress with horses comes through small, consistent efforts—a powerful life lesson. swiftly.

• Value of Networking & Mentorship: The horse industry molds kids to be coachable and open minded to collaboration with their p*ers. Success in this industry requires a network - they learn that quickly.

Beyond the tangible skills, horses bring kids closer to nature, science, and even spirituality. There’s something deeply humbling and awe-inspiring about working with these magnificent creatures. I know for a fact they bring you closer to God as well.

🔥The Physical and Mental Challenge

Many don’t believe equestrian activities qualify as a sport. To that, I can only say: spend a day in the barn. The physical demands of mucking stalls, lifting hay bales, and conditioning a horse are real. Riding itself is a full-body workout that requires balance, strength, and coordination. These kids spend more time practicing their skills than most athletes on the planet.

But the mental aspect is just as significant. Equestrianism teaches kids how to master pressure, manage performance anxiety, and handle adversity with grace. Those are skills they’ll carry into every aspect of life.

👉 A Priceless Investment

I would rather my child be so consumed by the living, breathing responsibilities of horses than searching for validation on social media, in p*er groups, or, worse, through harmful substances.

Horses are an investment—not just in riding lessons, vet bills, and show fees—but in my child’s future. I’d rather spend my money on building her character, teaching her discipline, and giving her life skills than on fleeting trends or technology that will soon be outdated.

Yes, horses are expensive. Yes, they’re challenging. But they’re also one of the greatest gifts I can give my child. Because when I look at her, I don’t just see a rider—I see a confident, capable, compassionate human being. And for that, horses are worth every penny.



Shared from Blue Thunder A Unicorn Story

12/23/2024

Christmas break riding at the barn !

12/17/2024

Only a few openings available. Opening up my Tuesdays and possibly Fridays for lessons until spring time. Get those kids outside exercising and learning responsibility!
Message me about
-Christmas specials
- Riding packages
- Showing

12/17/2024

I've kinda become softer since being in Georgia , that being said it's all about to change 😆🤪 better look up and keep those elbows in .

12/17/2024

This past weekend was full of horses. Fri night we had the Florida all breed. Lyla and Peyton had a lot of fun running around 🎄 's ! Sat we took the pleasure kids to Coastal Plains show and everyone had good rides! Everly was in hand hi point, Lilah was 13-19 english hi point, Charlie was 12 and under English hi point and we haven't heard the western results yet. Sunday we had the Florida all breed year end banquet where Lyla won p*e wee champion and reserve open and Peyton won open Hi point!

Thank you to everyone for all the help with my wild children on Sunday 😆

12/02/2024

🎄Do you need a gift idea or stocking stuffer ?🎄
I am opening up my Tuesdays until February for a couple lesson spots. I have 1 or 2 spots available other days(wed at 12 and Thursday at 11) for adults/homeschool/toddlers.
*must buy package to be eligible for discounts*

11/22/2024

🫠🫣

11/11/2024

We had a great day showing at the Florida all breed english show Sunday! Thankful for and 🧡

10/31/2024

I want to send out a huge thank you to Mikayla Horne for the last few years helping the lesson program! Thank you for all your dedication to the kids that you have brought along! Look at what you made them into! ❤️good luck on your new endeavor ! We will always be here for you ! 🏇