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boon
Posts: 4
| Hey y'all, I am needing some serious advice from some fellow horse-folk!! I 19 years old. I'm originally from Nebraska but I moved to Texas last year to chase my dreams in rodeo. Back home my parents don't have any land or money to afford horses or anything but it's always been my dream to become a professional barrel racer. Currently I'm working on a ranch and entering in all the local jackpots but the horse I'm running is no where near pro-caliber. Maybe 3D on a good day. So I would need a horse, reliable truck and trailer and then still have enough to give my horse the proper care on the road he/she would need. Am I dreaming too big? Am I just not being realistic? I have been so devoted to this dream of mine I am just worried I will get in a jam and I don't want to do that. The thought of giving up after how far I've come honestly makes me almost cry because I want it so bad but I guess I just need honest opinions to know if anyone else has had similar circumstances and had success or not? Thank you! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1196
 
Location: Wide open spaces, Canada. | No it is not unrealistic. Save your money and buy the best well bred barrel lines prospect you can afford. Get a mentor with credentials, even if it means you have to work for their help. Keep your mind on goal and do t get discouraged when it seems far away. Do not put a time line on it. Keep working hard I won't be easy but it is most definitely possible.
I came from a non horsey family with average family income. I did not have horses growing up, or oodles of money. I got a job when I was 14 at a therapeutic riding centre for disabled ppl. That allowed me to work with horses daily and make money to put towards my first horse.... He cost 1000 bucks. As time and years have gone on I have continued to upgrade my horses, and build on ,my riding ability. I bought a horse from the most successful canadian barrel trainer and although he was just a prospect he taught me so much about feel..... I got to experience what those talented hands could create. I sold him and bought an older mare who had previously placed at rodeos but had some soundness issues....she also taught me a lot. They are stapling stones to the end goal. I now have two children. So although my goal is still the same my timeline has changed. I started as a city girl and i now live on 160 acres with a nice outdoor pen , barn and some really nice up and coming prospects. 15 years ago I dreamt of this life, I've been building it for over a decade.....but it's coming true, and yours can too.
Edited by porky 2014-01-30 8:46 PM
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 600
Location: Oklahoma & Texas | Repeat after me... I CAN do ANYTHING I put my mind to. There is no dream too big. Hardwork and determination go a long way. When you have a bad day or a bad race or just feel like you are doing all this work and dont see much reward just remember the long term goal and how much closer you are each day you work at it. All those big name horses and jockeys were once not so big... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1196
Location: Wide open spaces, Canada. | BBrewster - 2014-01-30 9:37 PM
Repeat after me... I CAN do ANYTHING I put my mind to. There is no dream too big. Hardwork and determination go a long way. When you have a bad day or a bad race or just feel like you are doing all this work and dont see much reward just remember the long term goal and how much closer you are each day you work at it. All those big name horses and jockeys were once not so big...
Amen sista! ;) |
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boon
Posts: 4
| Thank you so much!! You're advice is very helpful and encouraging. I'm glad someone else has had a similar experience and the outcome was a positive one! Being away from home can be really hard, I get really homesick a lot but when I am focused on my dream I don't think about that as much. It's just hard to imagine the money it will take to get started and everything and I think that's why I second guess myself. Again thank you, I am not planning on giving up!!! |
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Pig-Bear Dog Lover
| I would sell the horse your riding and find a super nice prospect and build on that. You can only do so much with a horse that will only be in the 3d. :) Good luck! |
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boon
Posts: 4
| Well that's where another problem lies, he's not mine he's one of the ranch horses and I'm just riding him temporarily : but I've been saving my money so I'm hoping I'll be able to get a good prospect soon! |
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