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| I am 18 from Wisconsin. I love barrel racing and I am willing to work very hard to get to the pros. I have not started with much, but I have four horses which I barrel race at the county fair. I am planning on going to college in Oklahoma and hoping to join their Rodeo team. Right now I don't have a lot, but it is my dream and I want to know the steps that I need to take to get to the top. Any advice would be helpful I really would like to have all the advice I can get. Please help me achieve my dreams. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | If you want to college rodeo, you need a really competitive horse, especially in OK. I would suggest selling all four of your horses, taking that money, and buying the nicest horse you can. Plus, I don't know if you pay for all care/feed for your horses, but it's hard to do when you're trying to go to school. One is a lot easier/cheaper to take care of. |
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Member
Posts: 11
| My horses are not worth very much, and I will probably leave the rest of my horses with my mom. I was thinking about taking out a loan to buy a barrel horse, what would you recommend I get? how old, mare or gelding, and about the price range of a competitive barrel horse? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 838
 
Location: Georgia | I think a lot of it would depend on your riding ability. If you're looking for an aggressive top notch college/pro horse, depending on age, you could see one go from 10k-100k. It really depends on what you're looking for. Gender doesn't make much of a difference, that's just more of a personal preference. Age range, I would look for something more seasoned in the rodeo arena, not something that is just getting started on the pattern. Most of your top notch horses start hitting their prime around 10, and I've also seen girls/women ride horses in the rodeo arena that are knocking on the 20yr old door. Again, I think a lot has to do on your ability to ride and maintain a Professional Rodeo Caliber Horse. If you have the time, money, blood, sweat, and tears to shed, then hit the road baby and the BEST OF LUCK TO YOU  |
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Member
Posts: 11
| Thank you so much. Your advise is very helpful.  |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
 
| Do not take a loan out on a horse, you are starting college, I would worry about paying for college first.
Horses will be there when you are done.
If you are wanting to rodeo professionally you have to have a very well paying job, or money behind you before you even start.
Become a lawyer, or a doctor then you will be able to afford to rodeo. |
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Member
Posts: 11
| If I don't get a horse now I will not be able to college rodeo? I know that college is going to cost a lot, but I'm planning on going into Agribusiness at a technical college in Oklahoma. If I don't get experience in college I fear that I will never fallow my dreams? Should I not try, because I don't have the money? I really appreciate the advice and want to know if there is anyway I can do this. |
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Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | cheryl makofka - 2013-11-13 1:15 PM Do not take a loan out on a horse, you are starting college, I would worry about paying for college first. Horses will be there when you are done. If you are wanting to rodeo professionally you have to have a very well paying job, or money behind you before you even start. Become a lawyer, or a doctor then you will be able to afford to rodeo.
At this phase in your life, I have to agree with this. I know people who have used student loans to buy horses, cars, other toys, and they regretted it later, like when it came time to pay those loans back!
Are your horses possibly worth $1000 each? If not, can you get them to the point that they are? That's $4000 right there, plus all the money you will be saving on expenses for the four of them. Take your time, find a horse that really fits what you want to do, save as much money up as you can while you're looking. Ride that new horse to the best of its and your ability. Save up more money in the mean time. When you have progressed as far as you can with that one horse, sell it, take that money and what you have saved and buy a nicer horse. Keep doing this until you have one that is competing at the level you'd like to be at.
Besides the money, if you've never ran a 1D/prorodeo horse before, then you may not be ready for one anyway, but you can learn and develop your ability over time up to that level. |
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Veteran
Posts: 220
| If it is something you truely want to do go for it! Roll the dice and see what happens. I agree with the loan part. Do not take one out. What are you going to do if God forbid the horse dies or gets hurt? Don't let yourself get into that situation. On another note though, be prepared to spend lots and lots of money. I am just a weekend warrior now due to home life. And it is an expensive hobby. The gas, lodging, entry fees, vet etc. add up faster than the checks come in. I believe not to long ago someone asked about how the NFR girls come out and they stated that if the broke even for the year they did good. Not trying to sway from chasing dreams I have some rather big ones of my own. I just don't want want you to be shocked when you find out how expensive this sport can truely be. You never know either, you could find a diamond in the rough. Scamper was a Sale Barn work horse and turned out to be a champion! |
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Veteran
Posts: 220
| Another thing you can do, is start finding sponsors. That can help with some of the money part. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| faithdilly - 2013-11-13 1:35 PM
If I don't get a horse now I will not be able to college rodeo? I know that college is going to cost a lot, but I'm planning on going into Agribusiness at a technical college in Oklahoma. If I don't get experience in college I fear that I will never fallow my dreams? Should I not try, because I don't have the money? I really appreciate the advice and want to know if there is anyway I can do this.
I think you should live within your means, look at the economy many people lost their houses due to too high of mortgages, lay offs, unable to get a job. Most people who did loose everything when the economy turned were living outside of what they could afford.
Learn from past experiences.
And if you are going into ag, have you researched the job opportunities, pay etc, as it costs about
50,000 per horse. With vet, chiro, massage, feed, farrier, teeth floating supplements, it all adds up very fast.
Then you have trailer expenses, truck expenses, fuel.
I know many people who started rodeoing after they had their family and have been successful. Your dream can happen after college |
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Member
Posts: 11
| My cousin said that she had a fast 5 year old that I am going to try and I'll start there hopefully it works out. I do think that you are all right that taking out a loan is not a good idea. I do have a steady job right now and I will be saving up everything I can. I am thinking about moving with family in Oklahoma for a year to see how finding a horse and working them everyday and practicing goes. I'll save money for a year and hopefully that will give me a clear idea of what exactly I want to do. I have done well enough in high school that I do have options so if in that year I decide if I do or don't have what it takes I may come back to Wisconsin. Does that sound like a good idea? any recommendations?
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Member
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| All of your advice can help, if you don't like my idea please tell me why? |
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Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | faithdilly - 2013-11-14 3:52 PM
My cousin said that she had a fast 5 year old that I am going to try and I'll start there hopefully it works out. I do think that you are all right that taking out a loan is not a good idea. I do have a steady job right now and I will be saving up everything I can. I am thinking about moving with family in Oklahoma for a year to see how finding a horse and working them everyday and practicing goes. I'll save money for a year and hopefully that will give me a clear idea of what exactly I want to do. I have done well enough in high school that I do have options so if in that year I decide if I do or don't have what it takes I may come back to Wisconsin. Does that sound like a good idea? any recommendations?
I think that sounds like a great idea. |
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Fire Ant Peddler
Posts: 2881
| If you want to college rodeo you need to be rodeoing in high school. Most girls participate in more than one event. Most colleges in OK and TX offer scholarships for their team members. This often includes a place to board your horse, entry fees, some tuition and maybe even housing. Whatever event you pick, these girls are tough. They have been rodeoing and winning in high school. Many have been to the HS national finals. I would try to pursue my college education and then rodeo. There are a lot of smaller rodeo associations that are fun to compete in. I rodeoed in college----I tied goats. I would borrow one of the roper's horses and do my thing. Didn't have horse expenses. This was 40+ years ago. |
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Member
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| I only have one semester of high school left. In wisconsin they don't offer very much high school or college rodeo for that matter. I really think it is something I would be good at I barrel race my horse in my pasture bareback and get about 19 seconds, that is just messing around. He has speed, when he gets in the ring he has no control. And I don't have enough opertunitites to bring him to rodeos and get him undercontrol. I am only able to do about 5 races per year. I do give riding lessons at my house and one of my lesson girls is going into high school rodeo. Whom I have been training for about four years. I feel like I have the guts I just need my oppertunity, and I think if I get in and don't have what it takes I am young enough to make that mistake and I think it is worth a try. I do have other oppertunities that I can take if this doesn't work out. Thank you all so much you have made me really think about my options and I really think I have a plan that will work for me.
~Faith |
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Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | These were all just on the first page of a Google search for WI rodeo associations. I have heard of several of them and I'm from AL. If you want to rodeo, be proactive, get out there, I'd start at the local level first. There are plenty of facebook groups by region that list all the barrel races/rodeos that are going on in your area. Search for those. WI may not have the barrel racing scene OK does, but it has one, and you could be involved and gaining experience now.
http://www.cowboycalendar.com/wihsra/
http://www.uwrf.edu/ANFS/RodeoClub.cfm
http://www.lbwrodeo.com/
http://www.rodeoz.com/states/wisconsin
http://www.unitedrodeoassociation.com/
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Member
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| UW-Riverfalls is a college and I would have to be enrolled there, but I don't want to go there.
I believe I'm too old for little britches, but I did email them asking if I am.
The URA seems to be for already professionals.
and none of them have next years schedual posted.
This is why I asked how you get started, because I have no Idea what I need to do to get involved with these associations, and I figured if I go into college my coach would help me. I don't know where these things are, when they are and I don't even know how points work. All I know is how to run. All the entrys and things confuse me. |
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Member
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| Oh my, I found a barrel racing organization very close to home that runs about every other weekend thank you so much for your help. |
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Posts: 12
| faithdilly - 2013-11-14 3:52 PM
My cousin said that she had a fast 5 year old that I am going to try and I'll start there hopefully it works out. I do think that you are all right that taking out a loan is not a good idea. I do have a steady job right now and I will be saving up everything I can. I am thinking about moving with family in Oklahoma for a year to see how finding a horse and working them everyday and practicing goes. I'll save money for a year and hopefully that will give me a clear idea of what exactly I want to do. I have done well enough in high school that I do have options so if in that year I decide if I do or don't have what it takes I may come back to Wisconsin. Does that sound like a good idea? any recommendations?
I think that this is a great idea, but im just starting high school, just remember that every pro was a beginner at one point good luck I hope you achieve your dreams !  |
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 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | faithdilly - 2013-11-15 9:07 AM UW-Riverfalls is a college and I would have to be enrolled there, but I don't want to go there. I believe I'm too old for little britches, but I did email them asking if I am. The URA seems to be for already professionals. and none of them have next years schedual posted. This is why I asked how you get started, because I have no Idea what I need to do to get involved with these associations, and I figured if I go into college my coach would help me. I don't know where these things are, when they are and I don't even know how points work. All I know is how to run. All the entrys and things confuse me.
Lots of the college rodeo girls in OK and TX already have their WPRA cards and run at the pro shows. College rodeos in this area are TOUGH! I'm not trying to put a damper on your dreams, but you would be far ahead to get into your local scene instead of trying to start at the college rodeos down here. |
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  Fact Checker
Posts: 16572
Location: Displaced Iowegian | faithdilly - 2013-11-15 9:07 AM UW-Riverfalls is a college and I would have to be enrolled there, but I don't want to go there. I believe I'm too old for little britches, but I did email them asking if I am. The URA seems to be for already professionals. and none of them have next years schedual posted. This is why I asked how you get started, because I have no Idea what I need to do to get involved with these associations, and I figured if I go into college my coach would help me. I don't know where these things are, when they are and I don't even know how points work. All I know is how to run. All the entrys and things confuse me.
Little Britches' age limit is 18 & under....
The URA is NOT a "pro" rodeo association but a very good place to get started. Most "pro" ladies have worked their way up to the WPRA....They didn't just jump in and go. I would suggest that route for you. Get your (and your horse's) experience at the amateur rodeos and jackpots. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 173
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow | I have read some of the bio's of the horses going to the NFR this year. Some of them cost lest than $2000. A fast horse gets even faster when connected to the right rider. The right combo can't be bought. You could be handed a $50,000 horse tomorrow and you may not be successful if you aren't the right rider for that horse. Find a horse that runs fast and has a lot of heart.
Do not go into debt, don't buy a horse without trying it several times. Do not buy a horse that needs maintenance. Do buy a horse with a lot of heart. |
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 Wishing on a star
Posts: 7935
Location: Where if you don't like the weather...wait 5 mins! | Do not take out a loan. And Do Not COLLEGE RODEO!! It's a waste of time to try to start there. Get an education and spend that money you would have spent on rodeo to find a local PROFESSIONAL trainer and bang on their door begging for a part time job or internship to learn what it takes.
If they take you on and keep you around you know you have what it takes. If you find it's not for you, at least you haven't wasted a ton of money and time chasing a "DREAM".
Rodeo is not as romantic as everyone makes it out to be. If you have the guts to leave everyone else behind and chase it then you'll love it, if not, find out now. You can't take it back.
Edited by BrlRcrMT 2013-12-07 10:14 AM
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 Expert
Posts: 1304
| I say go for your dreams!! But I do have to say that, in my opinion, taking out a loan isn't a very good idea unless you have a scholarship for school or someone paying for it! Just be smart about your priorities and you'll go far! |
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Member
Posts: 19
| I do not think at your age a loan on a barrel horse is what you need. your gonna have a lot of bills to pay off down the line and there are no garentees this will work out. What are your horses bred maybe one of them will work out? Do your research and save as much money as you can here and there. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 824
| faithdilly - 2013-11-13 1:35 PM If I don't get a horse now I will not be able to college rodeo? I know that college is going to cost a lot, but I'm planning on going into Agribusiness at a technical college in Oklahoma. If I don't get experience in college I fear that I will never fallow my dreams? Should I not try, because I don't have the money? I really appreciate the advice and want to know if there is anyway I can do this.
College rodeoing is expensive and doesn't pay very well. My suggestion would be to go to school and find a trainer in the area that you can ride with. Then take one of your horses down, learn to get them going right, then work your way up. Jackpots, to rodeos, and maybe college rodeo your last 2 years. Do NOT take a loan out, you WILL be broke in college and a barrel horse will cost money. Have you thought about how much it costs to feed/board this horse? vet care (all the good ones need some maintence!) , a truck/trailer, entry fees, fuel??? Not trying to be mean but you have to be relaistic! College is only 4 years, my suggestion would be to get in and out as fast as you can, learn from a trainer while your there, and then when you get out- follow your dreams! 4 years is a short sacrifice to be set $$ wise for the rest of your life |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 306
| If you have only competed in local county events you need to get involved in some local and state barrel racing associations. Good ones are the United Barrel Racing Association (UBRA), National Barrel Racing Association(NBHA), and Minnesota Rodeo Association (MRA). I am from MN I'm unsure that WI has their own state rodeo association. If you aren't running in the 1D or 2D, your won't have much luck at the rodeos.
As far as buying horses go, I sold a trained 3D/4D barrel horse for $3,000. My friend bought a $30,000 barrel horse when she went to start college rodeo at NDSU, and she never won any college championships with him. Not only the horse costs a lot of money but so does a horse trailer, truck, hay, grain, farrier, ect.
My advice would be to possibly look into leasing a nice horse, that way if you cannot afford to pay for it anymore it has a home to go back to and your not defaulting on a loan.
Do some research. Try to get in contact with girls who currently college rodeo and ask how they pay for it and how much it costs. I think it will be a big reality check to know how it's actually accomplished.
Good luck and have patience. It might not happen and quickly as you would like. |
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Veteran
Posts: 159
Location: Central TX | To actually be competitive at college rodeos in OK ( I am from OK and college rodeo'd all 4 years) you'll need to spend upwards of 50,60,70+ grand...to even think of making more than the odd check here and there. I fortunately had the money to do that growing up..BUT, i wouldnt waste my time if i didnt. college rodeo really doesnt do anything for you financially...at all. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1067
Location: Kansas | You are in WI which is the great lakes circuit. Ever heard of Black Hawk College? They have a good equine porgram Please check them out. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1034
| I didn't college rodeo and I don't regret it. Start out at amateur rodeos, jackpots,etc to get your feet wet. Find a pro who needs an intern for a summer and soak up all you can. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 425
Location: Some where between there and here. | You dont have to spend 40, 50, 60 thousand to have a good horse. There are alot of horses that initially cost less than 5K that run at the top. Start one young, start it slow and take your time and learn from every one you can. My daughter has 2 horses ( one more 4 year old that was free that is showing alot of promise) that are 1D/2D at any show in the country and and will run with the pro rodeo horses ( she has run against several ) and they cost very little. We started them, trained them and finished them. Just takes time. Don't rush it. |
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Itchy Boobs
Posts: 360
| Buy a well bred prospect and train it through college. Get the horse seasoned and then professional rodeo. Its hard to buy a expensive horse and try to college rodeo and at the same time trying to click with it. Train your own and be patient:) |
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Location: Keeping up with the numbers! | Ok, I am going to be the odd man out and truely do not want to rain on your parade. I think if you are passionate enough about barrel racing but are smart enough to know you need to go to school you should thinkg about the following:
*Go to school (there will always be horses and you may be in a better financial situation once you complete)
*While in school try and see if you can intern for a local barrel trainer...trade out riding/exercising/chores for lessons and maybe a stall to keep a horse (prospect).
*Look for a prospect and start taking prospect to local jackpots. If you are in OK, I am sure there will be plenty to find. Season this prospect and in a couple of years while you are still in shcool you may be able to run him in some rodeos wether it be college or amateur rodeos.
Just my two cents for what it is worth. Any way you decide I wish you the best! |
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 I"m Jealous!
Posts: 1737
Location: Benton City, WA | When I was in vet school, I decided to sell my current horse and buy the type of prospect I had dreamed of owning (a Dr Nick Bar bred horse). I sold my mare to a gal in Kansas for 2500 and hauled her down there, then continued on to Texas, to check try out a bunch of Dr Nick Bar bred colts.
I picked out a 3 year old I liked and paid 5000 for him. In order to get him bought, I did have to use student loan $$. Of course it wasn't a huge sum of money, but I have never regretted buying him.
He turned out to be even more awesome than I would have dared hope :-) Last year I filled my permit on him and he clocked a 16 on a WPRA standard pattern...so sometimes dreams do come true! BTW everyone thought I was nuts when I bought him. The haul from texas to WA was hard on him and he was not the big beautiful horse he is now.... |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| OP - I am in Minnesota and know of several organizations you can start it. From the sounds of it, you're not quite ready to hit the rodeo scene. You should look into WSCA and open barrel races first. You will get a feel for a competitive atmosphere but its still very family friends. We have a lot of people who overlap, so it gives you a good idea to know who you are up against.
I went to UW-River Falls and rodeos for a semester. It gave me a general idea of life on the road. But it was also very disorganized through out program and extremely expensive. I believe your card alone is approx $400 and then you pay about $100 per rodeo to haul down the road which is actually cheap for where you're going. Then you pay entries at $60 a piece and you have to be darn good to make it into the short go and win money back. You also have to consider shavings and stall cost. I easily went through 3000 in 5 rodeos and I lived very conservatively.
I am not saying dont chase your dreams. But start lower and build into what you want to become. You dont want to go in blind like I did, it wasnt very much fun for me because I was overwhelmed.
PM if you need more info on our local organizations.
ETA I also suggest getting involved with a trainer or small club. Ive gotten to where I am today with starting there.
Edited by stayceem 2014-03-02 8:51 PM
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boon
Posts: 3
| I believe you have six years of eligibility from the date of your high school graduation to purchase 4 NIRA membership cards. So technically you have 6 years to choose to college rodeo. If I were you I would call or email the school rodeo team your were interested in to get more information on how to join. It never hurts to educate yourself this way. The reason I say to contact them is, because some rodeo teams even recruit students for their team. As they recruit for other College sports like basketball and football. This recruiting begins in high school or even in junior high. I think you should do your best to find a reasonably priced, seasoned horse that fits you. This is hard, because a good amount of barrel racers out there are trying to do the same. Go to some pro rodeos or amateur rodeos in your area and just watch the girls there as this is level of competition you want to be at. College rodeo competition is at that par. Watch how they warm up, stay calm, and overall run. Barrel racing isn't all riding a lot of it is mental. The most important thing is once you find your horse keep him/her healthy. Go to some barrel racing clinics with your current horse and see what the "expert" thinks. You may already have a horse that just needs some tuning or you just need tuning. The best things never come easy. So if your certain this is what you want to do you will find a way to make it happen. Do not take a loan, your better off saving up or as someone mentioned selling your other horses. Getting a loan that you must repay may only frustrate you more if you and the horse don't get along. Remember this does not happen overnight, as many of us have been at it for years. I hope this advice helps you out. Good Luck!
Edited by ponderosa32 2014-04-01 9:26 PM
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How do you get started?