It would be my first one.. any recommendations for one that would be good for a first timer? I'm struggling with a few things at home and really want some help before I go out and completely embarrass myself lol! I'm on my older rope horse and he's so-so.... I've done the best I could do for now with him and I feel like we would both benefit from someone else helping me! I can travel a little but prefer to stay in Central Texas within a few hours or so.... I'm 45 this month and don't really want to be surrounded by a bunch of young kids either... I already feel too old sometimes to just be wanting to start to really haul around and have some fun... my husband says I'm crazy for thinking that but.... I can't help it... my plans got put on hold when my son got sick and now that he's well and we are over that ordeal, I kinda wanted to start doing some more things for me. I don't know if I should try to find a clinic or someone locally to go take lessons from, or possibly both. 

It's not that far to a Josey clinic. Lots of saddle time. Good presentations on many things. A lot of people come that know very little so you will fit right in. My best suggestion is go with the attitude that I am going to learn as much as I can. I have been to a bunch of their clinics and I got more out of one a year ago than any one that I attended. Stay out of the western store because you will spend too much!  Let me know if you decide to come and I will come meet you. Don't live far from them. 

I would find someone close to you and take lessons. I think being one on one with someone to give you lessons you can get alot more out of it, and it would be so much more cheaper

I second the lessons. You could probably pay for 15 lessons for the price of a clinic. Do you have friends who barrel race?

Go for the one on one lessons.  Hopefully you are able to find someone close to you that would also be at some of the same races so that they could continue to help.

how far are u from marshall tx dan and vicki are so good

I've toyed with the idea of Josey's. I've always heard wonderful things about it. So, I'm not a beginner whatsoever,  I've been riding longer than I've been walking.. buuuuut I grew up riding hunter jumpers up until I was 19yrs old. Then I took about 5 years off and got into roping... then I got bit by the barrel bug but I'm kinda stuck with my roping horse for a while so I have to use him... he's not very athletic when it comes to turning barrels but he tries for me. This is a little embarrassing but I don't have a barrel saddle at the moment ... I am having a very hard time finding one that fits his monster back right... I want to order a custom but I'm saving up right now for it. So I'm just riding him in my roping saddle because it fits him well. So I think maybe lessons might be a cheaper route for now it sounds like... and maybe just having another set of eyes on us and give me some pointers and homework I can do. 

How about the trainer you sent your daughters horse to a while back?He can help you and the horse?

He doesn't do barrels at all... doesn't even have a set on his place. It's typically all roping, all the time. Course he's teaching a bunch of beginners right now just basic horsemanship. He's awesome if I want to go over and rope, we are always welcome.  I know of a gal nearby that gives lessons and I know she goes to a lot of races and seems to always have some nice horses and horses for sale. I've talked with her a few times.. actually supposed to go to her place tomorrow to deliver some fresh chicken eggs to a gentleman that starts her colts and rides some for her, so I'm hoping I will be able to talk with her some more and possibly set up a time.  I honestly don't know her credentials,  but I know she's pretty active in the local barrel community, I've never heard anything negative but then again,  I'm not out and about in that scene at all. 

The people that go to clinics at Josey's can ride. They are beginning barrel racers. I won my first buckle barrel racing in 1959 and I still get a lot out of them. Like I said, I got more out of that clinic about a year ago than any I have attended. I like to go to various types of clinics and always go with an attitude that I am going to learn something new. Even Martha says you need to go to a clinic once in awhile. My trainer even goes to clinics once in awhile. We all get something out of them. The only clinic I know if that the Reinhardt's are putting on is in Florida. I don't think they give lessons at their house. 

I really think the Josey clinics are the way to go for a newb, like myself... that would definitely be a great starting point for me and my horse. Hes super broke, just not been on barrels for very long and I've never done more than a slow lope thru at home on him. He knows it and my daughter can get on him and cruise thru pretty decent. But I know there are probably several holes in his pattern that I'd like help with. I've read some of Martha's books and I've always thought she has the best way of explaining things that make perfect sense to me and I get what she's saying. I've gone thru a handful of others books and drills but Joseys always seem easier for me to understand. I think I saw an "Adult clinic" coming up soon at Josey's... that'd be right up my alley! I'm still going to reach out to this local gal, she's literally 20 minutes from my place. 

I'm very experienced rider but haven't actively ran barrels since I was a teenager.  I went to a Connie Combs clinic and enjoyed it very much.  She is very personable and I learned things while watching the others as well as when I was the one riding.  She has another clinic coming to my area in March and I'm already signed up for it.  She teaches to your skill level and your horses level.

Is the josey clinic more than one day? I think if it is,you should pack you bags and go,BECAUSE YOU DESERVE A BREAK,,AND SOME ME TIME, SO,I SAY GO AND HAVE A BLAST ALL BY YOURSELF

I also think the Josey clinics are a good starting point. You get plenty of saddle time and they really work on the fundamantals that give a strong understanding and foundation. The one I went to, I stalled by this lovely, slightly older lady by the name of June Holeman. She was working on a new horse she had just gotten, and called him Sparky. I loved seeing her send him down the alley at the NFR. So yeah- allll kinds of people go to clinics.

You can also sometimes go and audit some as a spectator, usually for a lesser fee. The person putting on the clinic would know if that is allowed.

I've gone to several clinics over the years. My favorite was Ed Wright (he called me his stalker). I liked Josey's, Connie Combs, and Talmage Green's. I'll also go to anybody lesser known and closer to home to see if I can pick up something.  My least favorite was probably Paul Humphreys.

Last time I rode there it was $200. That's way too much for a lesson. 

I read its 2 1/2 days. Looks like it would be $575 with a hookup for the LQ. I'm assuming that includes a stall... the option was extra stall or no extra stall. It's just me an ol lefty ... oh I'd totally drag my husband with me... lol! It could be a mini getaway for us. 

I've been to a lot of clinics in my life and by far I think my most favorite has been Paul Humphrey. I like that he brings horsemanship to the forefront and provides you with drills that will work on everything from a starting a colt to a seasoned horse. Plus for a little extra $$ you can go home with his drill pamphlets and have them at your fingertips after you leave. I appreciate those because I don't know about you, but sometimes there is just so much information in a clinic that it's hard to remember everything when  you leave.

I honestly think I caught him on a bad weekend. I had heard soooo many good things about him as a teacher/coach. But he seemed distracted and in a bad mood. He didn't seem good at explaining things on a level where the rider was. It was pretty obvious his words were going over the head of some less experienced riders, and he didn't make an effort to change that. I really think he was off his normal game.

What bothered me the most was he wouldn't allow anyone that wasn't family or signifigant other to be with the rider. I asked when I signed up for the clinic if it was ok to have somebody with you. My best friend often goes to clinics with me as a spotter. She videos (only my rides not anybody else) and really pays attention to what the clinician is saying or having me do, so she can help me replicate things at home. No other clinician has cared - in fact all others have said it's a good thing to have someone with you watching. We always offer to pay a spectator fee for her- no clinician saw the need for it, but we always offer. Paul Humphrey said that not only could she not be with me, she couldn't even be in the barn. She had to spend 2 days in isolation or entertaining herself by driving around in a strange town. The kicker was - he admitted when asked if we had just origionally said we were gay and she was my girlfriend- she could have stayed and watched. I get that a clinician might not want someone filming- they might not want training stuff that people haven't paid for getting out there. That's understandable. But to refuse to let someone have another person watching/taking notes for a rider just because they aren't family or lovers? Thats kinda bullsnookies.

That being said - the man knows his stuff. Appreciated his drills and the booklets for purchase. Some of the off pattern riding he had us do exposed a hole in my horse I needed to back up and fix. He also has a strong online presence and has posted helpful videos.

Wow, never heard of this side of him, I have always heard nothing but good about this man. 

My husband told me today to just sign up for the adult clinic in March! I was worried we may have some baseball tournaments that weekend but he told me he'd get someone to take the boys if needed. My daughter is telling me to go and she will stay home and take care of all my other critters. My hubby said he'd take me and tag along for support lol! I'm excited yet nervous. I've kept telling myself soon, soon you'll be ready,  the horse will be ready, this or that etc etc... its been a 5 yr inconsistent journey to run barrels on this horse and look at me... nervous to go to a clinic l!!! What a hot mess I am. If I don't step out of my own way, I'll never do what I've been longing to do. I can't really find any excuses not to go... other than not having a barrel saddle, that I like... I do have an older teskeys, I just hate the way it fits my horse, but I can probably make it work for a weekend. 

Ha ha ha, if your saddle is not fitting right, they will try to sell you a saddle from the Josey Store.. I have had a few friends go, they love the Josey Ranch Clinic's, but they both came home with new saddles that they could not afford but bought them anyway, thank goodnes for credit cards they told me, lol .. Thats the first thing they do at the Josey clinic's they check your gear to make sure everything is right, maybe things had changed up since they went, of course with was back more then a few years.. 

My credit card will have to stay home!!! Unless they wanna sponsor me I won't be leaving with a new saddle lol! Although that would be pretty awesome!  But I have my eyes on another saddle that will be fitted professionally... just gotta save up a little while longer unless Mr. Biden comes on with that little promise he made haha!!! Now I'm wondering if I should wait till I can get my saddle, and then go.... hmmmmm! 

No,dont put it off,YOU DESERVE IT,JUST GO GET STARTED!!!!!!

If you are comfortable riding in and making a slow barrel run in the roping saddle, I wouldn't hesistate to keep using it or to ride it in a clinc. Personally,I'd use the clinic as a chance getting another set of eyes to help figure out how to fit him. What clinician/horse person wouldn't appreciate a rider that wants to make sure their horse is comfortable first and foremost? I know that as another person attending the clinic, I'd definitly respect you for that and not look down on it. Finding good fiting saddles is HARD!

Thank you! Yeah my rope saddle fits him perfect, never been sore from it and it's just a good solid feeling saddle. Honestly,  I've gone thru about 4 saddles on this guy (barrel) and I haven't been happy with a single one. They don't fit, in my opinion. I've tried different pads, etc etc. I need an extra wide, because he's extra wide! He's built like a tank... wide shoulders and flat back.. I'm comfortable in my roping saddle because there's no roll or rock to it. I am going to take him eventually to have him fit for a Double J as soon as I can. I have the contact in place and price set, I just have to suck it up a little while longer.

Of course there's chickens in the pic!

Joy Wargo has a clinic in May in central Tx. If you are on Facebook look her up.

Nothing wrong with this set up!!! I would rather ride in a saddle that fits me and my horse. 

I have know a few that ran barrels in rope saddles and cutting saddles, they were just more comfortable in them.. 

Have you ever thought about looking into a all around saddle, I really like these.. I use to have one and loved but got talked out of it and just never bougth another one. It was a Circle Y and was a really nice fitting saddle, but this was befor Circle Y got bought out many times. 

I've been looking at a bunch... Martin's and double j mostly. My horse is built a little downhill and has a tendency to throw me forward a little around turns... I've yet to find a saddle that doesn't help prevent that.. even my rope saddle, which fits him good, it's an older cactus. He's a powerful horse, so when we rope and go to spin one I have to remember to sit down, focus on my pockets . I'm still trying to master that move around the barrels lol! I forget because I'm worried about placing him where I think he needs to be.. so I'm thinking I need something that helps me sit deep and keep my legs forward maybe??? I don't really know. I probably just need to try to sit in some and see. 

The best clinic that I have seen for someone to go to a "first clinic" would be Dena Kirkpatrick. She is amazing.

Well I did a thing.... I sent my deposit for the Josey Clinic yesterday! A have a really good friend that decided she was going to go too so that helps! We requested to be stalled next to each other. I'm super excited but super anxious. yall have no idea how out of my comfort zone this is lol!! Its a good thing

IMHO, go to your March clinic. Do your best, watch others and learn. Cheer for the others especially when they make an improvement. Don't worry about the others and what they or their horses are wearing. It not about the latest gadgets, those come and go like the wind. This clinic is for you to find out what works for you and the horse you are riding.  
Have a good time, embrace your small wins and build from there. HUGS 

^^^^^^^ This .... go have a great time ~ enjoy meeting new people ~ smile and have fun!!  The ranch and everyone there are very welcoming!  I have been many times and usually I am happy with my tack just need work on me.  I liked being able to try new headgear but didn't feel pressured to buy.  You will never regret going if for no other reason than enjoying the sport with others who are like minded.  Friendships are born at the ranch along with learning.

My friend that's going said she would find me a saddle to borrow, I'll be bringing my saddle still just in case it doesn't fit.. and if I end up having to use it, so be it... I'd rather be comfortable and have my horse comfortable more than anything at this point. If the stars align,  I'll most likely be able to purchase a saddle I want about a week before we are going... but I don't want to get my hopes up too high on that one. I'm really looking forward to going and seeing my old friend and making new ones! 

The clinic is just a few weeks out. I'm going to be honest, I almost backed out.... with the storm and several more days of rain recently my horse has just been sitting.. and also my friend that was going to go with me, backed out for those very reasons. I received the paperwork right before our crazy ice storm and never got them filled out. I told my husband last week, I not going... he called me back and said YES YOU ARE! He's right.... if I don't go now, I'll never go. If I wait for "perfect " conditions or the perfect time to go... it'll never happen. I called Joseys and probably one of the nicest persons I've ever spoke to over the phone helped me and said not to worry about deadlines with paperwork,  to  just get there! I started lunging my horse for exercise in the pasture on the grass to avoid the knee deep mud daily and yesterday I actually got to ride him.. the weather looks good for now for the rest of the week. My hubby fixed the water pump on our lq that busted during the ice storm and it's all ready to go. As far as a saddle.... well... I'm going in my roping saddle ... I don't care anymore. It's all I've got and it's comfy for both of us.. my husband said we can look at some saddles while we are there if I'd like and get the horse fitted properly. I'm excited again to go and I'm so glad he didn't let me cower out like I wanted with lame excuses. 

USE the saddle that YOU are most comfortable in ..... I rode a Price McLaughlin saddle "like" this one for YEARS and won a bunch of money in it. I even had it at a Josey Clinic and she told me to ride in what worked for me and my horse. The only drawback was that my saddle was "heavy". Another "hint" .... go have FUN! 

Yes! My roping saddle is definitely heavy but it fits us both very well so im just gonna rock it... fake it till ya make it lol! I do eventually need to get a real barrel saddle but if I'm going to spend the money, I'd rather have it fit right, both of us.... I've always just bought used online without trying and I've gone thru 4 saddles on him.. I always end up losing more money because I cannot ever sell them for what I paid. In what I've spent on guessing, I probably could have purchased 2 custom fit saddles by now. (Face meet palm) 

If your roping saddle is a Cactus and fits well, have you thought of calling Cactus and talking to them about a barrel saddle that may work for you both?  

I definitely have. I need to get the S/N  and find out more information on it. My husband bought it off a guy a few years ago for CHEAP and it's turned out to be a great saddle that fits my monster. The Double J I had fit him very well too but I stupidly sold it when I thought I was done with roping for good. I kick myself daily for that one. 

Gal - when I read this, my first thought is "What in the world is this woman worried about?" You have already got everything you need going for you to suceed on any barrel racing level you want to do!!!!!!!

1) you have the moxey and desire to try -and that also means you also have it to suceed. You ARE - let me repeat - you ARE going to accomplish your dream to barrel race!! You won't just quite because the weather is bad, or its hard to find time to practice, or whatever excuse life throws at you. You have the displine to do this and the desire to learn. "The" battle is already halfway over. You are on the down hill slide to a very good place!

2) You appear to have a very supportive spouse that is willing to help you reach for your dreams. I hope you really do understand what a great blessing in life that is. You better fix that man an extra special supper every now and then!! Or at least tell him how much his support means. I'm sure he would love to hear that you see the ways he is trying to help. Life is danged hard sometimes - but it's easier to fight through it when you know your partner has got your back.

I hope you go to the clinic and soak up lots of knowledge and make great friends. Don't judge yourself by what anyone else is doing. Judge yourself compared to where YOU were the day before. One step at a time getting better will end up leading to wonderful, great big leaps forward.

And I want you to know that you have helped make my day. I'm smiling thinking about a person I've never actually met, but do admire.

YOU GOT THIS!!!

My husband is absolutely amazing. I often wonder why I was so blessed with finding him and I darn sure make sure he knows  how much I appreciate him.. I always ask him how he puts up with me lol! He's seen the struggle, he's heard me whine for the last 5 or 6 years about wanting to "get out there" he's my biggest supporter and always tells me I can do this. This may not seem like a big deal to many, about me attending a clinic, but trust me, it's huge.... I swear,  I think he may be more excited about it than I am... he put in for the time off work when I first mentioned it to him. Shoot he even found me an indoor arena I could go use if I needed it. He's seriously, the bomb.... I'm super excited to go and learn as much as I possibly can soak up and then when we get back.... its time to enter up.... I've put this off for way too long. 

Woke up this morning to my horse hobbling lame in front right and slightly on the left. Only thing I can see is what looks like deep lacerations on both heel bulbs on right and 1 on left. He was fine yesterday.  I had to leave for a baseball tournament but have a call into my farrier don't know if cam do anything but he was due to come out anyway tomorrow. My daughter went to check on him she said he's walking better on the level gravel road and grass but lame on the dirt. I'm just crushed... I had her put him in his stall where it's deep shavings. He wasn't turned out last night just in his run and stall.. I always ride in bell boots. I'm not sure what is going to happen here. 

Awww hell !!!!!

Sounds like he over reached. Is his run long enough for him to play/goof around in? 

Not really but that doesn't mean he didn't do it. This horse has never taken a lame step in the 7 plus years I've owned him. This is truly concerning to me. I hate the angles on his feet and I had the farrier out to correct them .. that was 6 weeks ago.. to me has was too long in the toe and had my horse on his heel... seems to be an ongoing issue I've complained a lot about. I thought we were making progress on the last visit but it looks poor again. The angles ... 

Same thing happened to me right before I went to the Josey clinic! Thankfully my best friend had really good friends that let me come out to ride a young gelding that they had that they graciously let me take. Do you have anyone who would allow you to borrow a horse? I had so much fun with my friends and did learn some stuff I could take back to my horse. 

I wouldn't go if I can't ride him. I need the help with him. I'm prepared to not go if he can't.  I'm crushed about the thought of it, but I just want the horse to be ok. I just hope I can get a refund or roll it over to another clinic at a later date if needed. If not,  it is what it is... my farrier thinks it could be an abscess... his left leg was really swollen thru the fetlock.. slight heat but not bad. we soaked him in Epsom for a while I gave him some bute because he was clearly uncomfortable and limping on it..the swelling went down a little and he was walking much better on it. My farrier is coming back tomorrow morning to take the shoe off and see what we can see... I'll go from there.. if he needs to go to the vet he will go. 

Wondering how your gelding is doing?  Please update! Thanks!

Hes loaded in the trailer and we are on our way.  He's doing awesome.. so sweet of you to ask! Looks like our saddle deal fell thru, but you know what,  I'm just so happy to be going! In my older age, I've learned to just try to accept things for what they are... when doors close I no longer try to kick them open lol! I'll find another saddle that will be better. So in the meantime I'm celebrating being able to attend on my horse and we will rock that clinic in my roping saddle! He's sound, feels and looks amazing!

Good to hear you are going, have fun!

Have fun!  I am going in June and I cannot wait!!!! 

Excited to see you went.  Can't wait to hear how it went!  Most importantly hope you had a good time.

I had a great time! I really did... my horse was great. He was so solid for me this weekend... I received tons of compliments on him from instructors and other participants, just how nice and broke he was and how calm he was! There was a whole Lotta crazy around us and he just took it all in. He did everything I asked... wrong or right.. he just took care of me. I was so proud of him. He let me make dumb mistakes but just kept trucking best of his ability... I discovered I have a dumb little habit of grasping both reins in my left hand around the barrel to turn him lol! Dummy! You don't even have a rope in your hand! Haha! I've got to work on that.. hey, we didn't hit 1 barrel all weekend ... he's even switching his leads perfectly... course I didn't notice until I watched videos. If I can get my hands to do what they showed me, he's in there... he really impressed me with his ability to turn even when I had both reins in my left or right hand.. when I do it correct it feels amazing and he can really push off straight to the next... I learned so much about myself this weekend too.. I learned what mistakes I've been making and how to fix them and I learned that I've stupidly waited too long to start doing this again because I was worried that I couldn't. I left with a new found confidence and excitement I haven't felt in a very long time. I was a nervous wreck the first night but by my last run yesterday we knocked over 3 seconds off our time ... pretty good improvement if ya ask me. We weren't speeding by any means .. but now that I can tweak a few things and know how to... we can start adding speed. I think he's ready. I got out what I went for and even more actually.  I'm happy I kicked myself out of my comfort zone and went. I'm glad my horse was so chill and just there to work for me no matter what I did...and I did a lot of silly mistakes! I also learned that there are many that are exactly like me,  insecure of our abilities to really do this, about how we may look, about failing, about being poked at etc etc.. I've never been so happy for strangers in my life when I saw their last run and the seconds coming off their times with gigantic smiles on their faces as they exited the pens on their horses.. It was really something... I even got teary eyed for some of them because I saw their struggles in the beginning and their disappointment about it...  i know the feeling they had inside when they got thru that timer on the last run.. it was a great time .. my only regret was not doing this sooner.  And yep,  I used my rope saddle all weekend and it worked great! I did purchase some new reins with knots so I can remind myself not to grab both reins like I'm roping again

Highly HIGHLY recommend attending one of their adult clinics if possible... I'm not sure if their  other clinics are run exactly the same or not but I darn sure enjoyed this one. 

Great News!  Glad you had a succesful weekend.  Congrats!

Great news!!!!! So glad it went well and that you came away feeling impowered!!! You got this!

So one thing I'd do next time, is get the extra stall! To keep your hay and feed and stuff in. I kept all my stuff in my trailer but we ended up parking pretty far from the barn we were in (Mr. Revolution Bars barn) my horse was lucky and got a nice open back stall so he had plenty of air and a nice view to hang his head out.  also, I brought shavings from home... 6 bags filled that stall nicely. We ended up moving our trailer spot 3 times! My trailer is 46 foot.. and the spot they had us in, none of our hoses would reach ... and we couldn't get our trailer level. We finally moved "up top" and it was much better there. And quiet! I'll be requesting that spot again! Also be ready to move quickly in between classes... oh, and the road in there, the parking lots and paths are insanely uneven... very rough terrain! One thing I wasn't expecting,  to run the very first night! That might not seem like a big thing but it caught me off guard... I went to this clinic because I needed help, major instruction, and have never ran this horse. He kinda had an idea but we never did this before lol! We survived though.. it was just something I wish I would have known beforehand. Thank God my horse is extremely broke!  We ended up putting the horse away that night at almost 11:30pm... makes for a very long day! The slow mo video critique is ummmm... pretty eye opening.. lol!! But everyone is there for their own reasons... they will put you in groups ... I was in the last group because that was the leftys group... we got to go last every time ... wasn't too crazy about that part. But I did draw #19 on the last day ... out if 65 so I was happy with that! Watch out for the naughty yhorses that are stalled in the covered arena, a few would charge the fence when you are standing there waiting your turn to do the drills. 

I decided to sign up for another in September! I wanted to go sooner but our baseball schedule just won't allow it. Super duper excited!