SL Barrel Horses

04/24/2026

There was a conversation yesterday (which involved a comment from an NFR qualifier) about the *lack* of warm-up pen etiquette at Better Barrel Races - BBR… and honestly, it’s worth talking about.

Because if you’ve ever stepped out of a futurity warm-up and into a big open show like BBR World Show/NBHA/any other super-show, you know exactly what I’m about to say.

The difference is… noticeable. 😅

At a futurity or pro rodeo, the warm-up pen tends to run like a quiet, unspoken agreement:
We’re all going the same direction.
We’re all paying attention.
If someone needs to switch directions, they communicate it.
If a horse is working through something, people give them space.

It’s not fancy. It’s just awareness and respect.

Now contrast that with what we sometimes see at bigger open races…

We’ve got seasoned riders on green horses.
We’ve got youth riders doing their best (and sometimes just trying to survive the moment).
We’ve got handy teenagers multitasking like it’s an Olympic sport.
And we’ve got a whole lot of folks who have never been taught what a shared warm-up space is supposed to look like.

And that’s where things get western in all the wrong ways.

The warm-up pen is not the place to:
– drift aimlessly across the middle and hope for the best
– cut people off like you’re merging onto the interstate with your eyes closed
– scroll your phone like you’re sitting on your couch
– or be Snapchatting and texting your friends while you’re supposed to be getting your horse ready

Because that one? It’s not helping you *or* your horse prepare for what’s coming next.

It *is* the place to:
– pick a direction and stick with it
– keep your head up and your awareness on
– and ride like the other horses around you matter (because they do)

Also… we do, in fact, turn right. 😉

If everyone only practices to the left, we end up with a whole pen of horses (and riders) that are less prepared than they should be. Be the one who can go both directions and do it with intention.

At the end of the day, most of this comes down to education—not ego.

Not everyone was brought up in an environment where this was taught, and it shows. But that doesn’t mean we can’t do better moving forward.

Because a good warm-up pen isn’t just safer… it sets the tone for better runs, better horses, and better experiences for everybody in there.

And honestly? It makes the whole place feel a lot more professional—even when it’s a 5D on a Saturday night.

Let’s ride like we share the space… because we do.

02/17/2026

𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙒𝘼𝙄𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙂𝘼𝙈𝙀.

Nobody talks about this part.

The standing around.
The circling.
The “we’ll be just a minute.”
The drag that takes forever.
The tractor that breaks.
The ambulance that isn’t there yet.
The eye that won’t work.
The rider before you that falls off and now they’re chasing a loose horse.

You’re legged up.
You were ready.
Your horse was ready.
And now… you wait.

This is where runs are won or lost — not in the 15 seconds in the arena, but in the 20 minutes before it when everything goes sideways.

Here’s how I handle it:

1. 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙡 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣.
You can’t control the drag time.
You can’t control the ground crew.
You can’t control the chaos.
But you can control your breathing and your attitude.

If you start getting irritated, your horse feels it instantly.

2. 𝙆𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙣𝙚𝙪𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙡, 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙙𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚.
I don’t do anything extra. I don’t micromanage.
I keep them moving just enough to stay loose.
Forward. Soft. Listening.
Save the fire for the alley.

3. 𝙒𝙖𝙡𝙠 𝙘𝙞𝙧𝙘𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪.
If the delay stretches on, I’ll just walk small, quiet circles. Nothing fancy. Nothing dramatic.
Just enough to keep their feet moving and their mind with me.

While I’m walking, I’m not thinking about what’s going on around me.
I’m thinking about what I need to do.

Where are my eyes going to be?
What does my rate feel like?
What cue am I giving at each barrel?

The chaos can stay outside the arena.
My job is to stay inside my own run.

4. 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙚’𝙨 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙙.
If you’re tense, they’ll get hot.
If you’re impatient, they’ll get anxious.
If you’re calm, they’ll stay with you.

The waiting game tests your maturity more than your speed.

Because barrel racing isn’t just about how fast you can go —
it’s about how steady you can stay when everything around you is unpredictable.

When they finally call your name, it shouldn’t feel frantic.

It should feel quiet.

Calm.
Focused.
Ready.

The best competitors aren’t the ones who need perfect conditions.

𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯.

01/22/2026

Here we go…
Let’s dive right into the 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠.

I’m going to start by being transparent. Years back, long trotting (ponying or under saddle) was a primary piece of my conditioning routine. I’d set a timer or a distance goal, and go.

As my experience and knowledge developed, I learned more effective, more beneficial ways of going about proper conditioning… training for 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬.

What I didn’t know at the time was the detrimental effects the consistent long trotting was actually creating in the body.

Here’s an analogy I like to start with to illustrate this concept.

Imagine doing a plank or a wall sit. Take your pick.

Now you’re asked to hold this for 15 minutes. Eventually, your body 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 start compensating. 𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘 if your body is not properly conditioned.

If you asked me to hold a 15 minute plank, I’d do all sorts of wacky stuff to attempt to hold the plank. However… at this point my body is not actually benefiting in the way it should.

Fatigue starts taking over.
The body starts compensating.

Horses are no different. Except worse, because they are masters at compensation.

They will go and go, often without saying a loud no.

But what’s actually happening…

Eventually they will fatigue.

Their backs hollow out…. Hello kissing spine!!
Core disengages.
Front end elevates.
Hind end disengages.

Now we’re left with chronic back pain, significant increased risk of stifle injury (lack of stabilizing support), excess friction along joints, increased kissing spine susceptibility… the list goes on and on.

I can absolutely acknowledge the cardiovascular benefits. Over the years, I’ve recognized alternatives in conditioning that allows for both cardiovascular endurance and proper muscular development. I will make a separate post highlighting various approaches.

Training for soundness starts with 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠.

Quality over quantity.

Injury prevention should be an everyday priority…

By prioritizing quality of movement and strategic fitness programming with a proper warm up and recovery, we are developing stronger horses capable of long-lasting careers.

#𝙐𝙣𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨

12/25/2025

From my barn to yours!

12/06/2025

It’s night #2 of the NFR! Who’s your pick for this round of barrels?

Mine is Kassie!

10/04/2025

Big thanks to

Karen Smith, Martha McNiel

for all your support! Congrats for being top fans on a streak 🔥!

10/03/2025

Pretty cool stats about the top 15 headed to the NFR.

These ladies amaze me every year when I start pulling these numbers together. From the talent they all have to their mental and physical toughness traveling so much.

When reading these stats make sure to keep in mind that there are a few different factors that come into play. Some examples would be…contestants stepping off their main horse to season young ones when they get a chance. Maybe at a smaller rodeo or if they feel comfortable with the amount of money they have won so far. We’ve learned over the years that Hailey gives Sister as many breaks as she can and will step on younger horses to get them seasoned.

Another factor is limited rodeos. Meaning only certain contestants are invited to some rodeos (ex: San Antonio, Houston, etc). These rodeos pay quite a bit of money so if you win a check there you may not have to go to as many rodeos as contestants who weren’t able to compete at these rodeos. Kassie Mowry has been able to really capitalize by doing well at these rodeos.

I hope these numbers help to inspire some of you or help someone keep going if they aren’t winning a check every single time.

Congratulations to the top 15 going to the 2025 National Finals Rodeo!🥳

_____

Kassie Mowry
Number of runs: 53
Number of checks won: 38
Percentage of checks won: 72%
Average checks won: 3/6
Largest amount won: $65,000 Houston
Longest amount of runs without winning a check: 4

Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi
Number of runs: 105
Number of checks won: 56
Percentage of checks won: 53%
Average checks won: 4/12
Largest check won: $20,000 Houston
Longest amount of runs without winning a check: 7

Emily Beisel
Number of runs: 103
Number of checks won: 71
Percentage of checks won: 69%
Average checks won: 7/14
Largest amount won: $10,000 NFR Open
Longest amount of runs without winning a check: 3

Hailey Kinsel
Number of runs: 85
Number of checks won: 42
Percentage of checks won: 49%
Average checks won: 4/10
Largest amount won: $30,000 Houston
Longest amount of runs without winning a check: 13

Megan McLeod-Sprague
Number of runs: 94
Number of checks won: 42
Percentage of checks won: 45%
Average checks won: 1/14
Largest amount won: $16,000 The Governor’s Cup
Longest amount of runs without winning a check: 7

Lisa Lockhart
Number of runs: 96
Number of checks won: 57
Percentage of checks won: 59%
Average checks won: 4/13
Largest amount won: $10,819 Cheyenne Frontier Days
Longest amount of runs without winning a check: 6

Carlee Otero
Number of runs: 117
Number of checks won: 53
Percentage of checks won: 45%
Average checks won: 3/16
Largest check won: $18,000 Utah Days of ‘47 Rodeo Finals
Longest amount of runs without winning a check: 10

Anita Ellis
Number of runs: 61
Number of checks won: 28
Percentage of checks won: 46%
Average checks won: 2/13
Largest check won: $50,000 The Calgary Stampede
Longest amount of runs without winning a check: 4

Halyn Lide
Number of runs: 105
Number of checks won: 48
Percentage of checks won: 46%
Average checks won: 4/14
Largest amount won: $32,000 The Governor’s Cup
Longest amount of runs without winning a check: 5

Tayla Moeykens
Number of runs: 109
Number of checks won: 60
Percentage of checks won: 55%
Average checks won: 3/12
Largest amount won: $13,743 Farm City
Longest amount of runs without winning a check: 6

Tricia Aldridge
Number of runs: 110
Number of checks won: 47
Percentage of checks won: 43%
Average checks won: 3/16
Largest amount won: $24,000 Governor’s Cup
Longest amount of runs without winning a check: 8

Hayle Gibson-Stillwell
Number of runs: 103
Number of checks won: 62
Percentage of checks won: 60%
Average checks won: 6/15
Largest amount won: $6,871 Farm City
Longest amount of runs without winning a check: 4

Wenda Johnson
Number of runs: 89
Number of checks won: 47
Percentage of checks won: 53%
Average checks won: 2/12
Largest amount won: $13,942 Ogden Pioneer Days
Longest amount of runs without winning a check: 4

Andrea Busby
Number of runs: 115
Number of checks won: 49
Percentage of checks won: 43%
Average checks won: 7/16
Largest amount won: $20,000 Fort Worth Stock Show
Longest amount of runs without winning a check: 8

Katelyn Scott
Number of runs: 123
Number of checks won: 70
Percentage of checks won: 57%
Average checks won: 6/18
Largest amount won: $10,027 Mandan
Longest amount of runs without winning a check: 5

_____

*Number of checks won does not include average checks. This number is the amount of times a check was won from each ride individually.

06/28/2025

Did a thing today! I haven’t ridden in over a month! Rides with great friends are always the best!

Watch, follow, and discover more trending content.

05/15/2025

💡 Thinking about buying a barrel horse prospect?
Before you start your search, it’s your responsibility as the buyer to get crystal clear on a few key things:

1️⃣ Know your skill level
2️⃣ Know your goals
3️⃣ Know your budget
4️⃣ Know what level of training you can confidently manage

The right horse starts with the right self-awareness. 🎯
Do the homework now to set both you and your future horse up for success! 🐎💥

Reinsman Equestrian
Circle Y Saddles
YETI
Wrangler
FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips
MVP
Priefert
Rolling Hills Casino and Resort

05/09/2025

🤣🤣