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Member
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| So right now I have a 3 yr old TB gelding.. Hes fast enough just not to the level he needs to be and I am going to college rodeo this fall, so I am trying to get him sold. A lady I trained for has a 18 year old solid 1D gelding which I love, but also needs hock injections. I don't know if Id be better off with the already seasoned gelding or buy a younger prospect and take the chance.. Budget is under 5000. |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
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Location: Kansas | If you are wanting to compete in college rodeo....you're going to want something finished if you actually plan on running |
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 Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | I'd be tempted to go with the 18 year old short term and try to earn enough to find a prospect to replace him long term--also gives you time to season a prospect (if you are winning enough on the 18 year old, this shouldn't be impossible). But you might keep a quick look out online. I've seen a few good deals on four-five year olds, not top bloodlines but well patterned and been hauled to a few jackpots, go for around 5000.
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 456
Location: SW MO | Depends on the time line in which you are wanting to go to these rodeos. Does the 18 year old clock near the girls in your area that haul to college rodeos and place? If he does I would definitely take him and keep him maintained. if the only thing he needs is hocks at his age he is doing very well. You run a risk of a prospect not turning out like you would hoped as well. If it was me I would do what an above poster mentioned and buy the finished horse, it takes a special type of horse to handle the hauling and set ups at college rodeos. While you are running the older horse I would save everything I can towards the next purchase. Hope everything works out for you :)  |
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 Saint Stacey
| I'll be honest, and I apologize for how harsh this might sound. The dumbest thing you could do is take a young horse and try to season them by doing college rodeos. I can't think of a better way to scare a young horse half to death and shatter their confidence. I'd maybe take a young one to goat tie on to season. But running barrels...absolutely not. |
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Member
Posts: 17
| Yes I plan on competing this coming year. I also rope and tie goats. The preferred plan would be take my roping horse and barrel horse down the first year, running the 18 year old, save up and the 2nd year or that summer start hauling around a prospect then take the prospect with me to college also. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1096
| Could you lease this older horse instead of buying? That way you could continue to work on yours without actually buying the older horse. |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
| I certainly would not take a young horse to try to compete in college rodeos. I would try to lease the older horse also. When you figure in truck, trailer, fuel, feed and entry fees, rodeoing is expensive. Heck, college is expensive. The competition is as tough as WPRA. The caliber of horse that those girls are riding is like Fred, the horse that Mary Burger ran at the NFR. I would think that girl is in college now. (the girl who owns Fred) If you are going to college to rodeo, you would be better off just rodoeing. As I said college is expensive. A young guy that teaches with told me has $70,000 in loans that he has to pay back. Decide what your priorities are. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 456
Location: SW MO | streakysox - 2015-10-05 12:55 PM
I certainly would not take a young horse to try to compete in college rodeos. I would try to lease the older horse also. When you figure in truck, trailer, fuel, feed and entry fees, rodeoing is expensive. Heck, college is expensive. The competition is as tough as WPRA. The caliber of horse that those girls are riding is like Fred, the horse that Mary Burger ran at the NFR. I would think that girl is in college now. (the girl who owns Fred) If you are going to college to rodeo, you would be better off just rodoeing. As I said college is expensive. A young guy that teaches with told me has $70,000 in loans that he has to pay back. Decide what your priorities are.
What streakysox said is very important to consider- the competition IS as tough as WPRA, and leasing the older horse would be a great option. there are many girls who run the WPRA circuits that also do college rodeos. If you just went to ammy rodeos or even filled your WPRA permit and bought your card you may be ahead in the long run. Many college rodeos require you to haul many long hours away from home and that means many dollars going into the traveling alone. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1525
| 18 is not that old. I know a lot of girls competing on nice horses that old and they are fine...get him the hock injections and don't worry about the rest. Keep him happy on the road...lot of shavings, stop every four hours when traveling to let him rest or stretch, warm him up good, invest in some BOT products and have fun.
College Rodeo was the only way I afforded to go to college. My fees and my school were paid for...so was a lot of my travel. Its called being "on the team". 8 of us out of the 30 person rodeo team were considered "on the team" and had our expenses paid for....because we won. So I would suggest that you get on the most solid horse and made that happen. A lot of the girls college rodeoing are alson pro rodeoing...but a friend of mine is the Head Coach for a team in New Mexico and he said College Rodeo, especially barrel racing, isnt near as tough in this area as it once was. Rodeo is Rodeo is Rodeo...its expensive, its tiring, its stressfull for both people and horses. If you arent mounted then you arent making any money...but you are gaining experience on the road....and College Rodeo was the funnest time of my life....Go for it Win or Lose if that is what you can afford to do.
Edited by MOTIVATED 2015-10-05 1:10 PM
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Member
Posts: 17
| I have been rodeoing competitively for a few years now and I pay for everything on my own. I have everything else I need, other than the high caliber horse. And my college is paid for due to a deans scholarship and my GPA (its just a 2 year tech Ag school, but im staying for 3 to double major) The 18 year old horse would definitely give me good chance to compete and by that I mean at the front end of the group. I am more leaning toward the 18 year old seasoned gelding. And because of the scholarships I have the funds to provide for myself, horses and rodeoing!
And a big THANK YOU to everyone replying! I appreciate the input and opinions from older wiser women! (: |
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Expert
Posts: 1611
| 18 is not old and if all it needs is hock injections after 18 years then he sounds like he's been took care of.... |
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | MOTIVATED - 2015-10-05 11:05 AM 18 is not that old. I know a lot of girls competing on nice horses that old and they are fine...get him the hock injections and don't worry about the rest. Keep him happy on the road...lot of shavings, stop every four hours when traveling to let him rest or stretch, warm him up good, invest in some BOT products and have fun.
College Rodeo was the only way I afforded to go to college. My fees and my school were paid for...so was a lot of my travel. Its called being "on the team". 8 of us out of the 30 person rodeo team were considered "on the team" and had our expenses paid for....because we won. So I would suggest that you get on the most solid horse and made that happen. A lot of the girls college rodeoing are alson pro rodeoing...but a friend of mine is the Head Coach for a team in New Mexico and he said College Rodeo, especially barrel racing, isnt near as tough in this area as it once was. Rodeo is Rodeo is Rodeo...its expensive, its tiring, its stressfull for both people and horses. If you arent mounted then you arent making any money...but you are gaining experience on the road....and College Rodeo was the funnest time of my life....Go for it Win or Lose if that is what you can afford to do.
This. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 396
Location: Iowa | I agree with Motivated...18 is not old for some horses now-a-days. Keep him healthy and you will be set. It will be worth the investment rather than run the risk of blowing up the young horse. If you cannot afford it...you may want to sit out this fall. College rodeo was the funnest time of my life but it is very expensive if you are not contantly winning. |
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 Expert
Posts: 4121
Location: SE Louisiana | At 3 years of age, he's still a baby.... He needs more time. Sure he's big... Yes he's powerful. He's prolly darn fast too... But the chances are he has not learned how to put all those things together yet.  |
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 Professional Amateur
Posts: 6750
Location: Oklahoma | Go with the 18 y/o. I have several college girls wanting to trade in their futurity horses that are not ready for the rodeo life yet. I usually don't start rodeo seasoning my horses until they're 5 or 6 and they already have the futurity hauling in their resume. A sesoned veteran is my choice to rodeo with, but I season all of the babies for you girls! Take that 18 y/o and run!! GOOD LUCK!!
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 Don't Wanna Make This Awkward
Posts: 3106
Location: Texas | I'm not sure if you know, but college rodeo has already started for the fall and on to the 2nd or 3rd rodeo in most places with only 5 rodeos in the season. I honestly would wait until spring because from the sounds of it you will still be rushing for that. College rodeo is expensive for what it is. I would definitley go with the 18yo if you can get with his style. As long as the gives you enough money to to get a prospect. I would also make sure your prospect is a QH maybe a 5yo would be a good age. I know college rodeo is a once in a lifetime experience, but it is not for all people. I for one hated it, but I try not to be too one sided when giving advice. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 372
| outrundaizy - 2015-10-06 6:57 PM
I'm not sure if you know, but college rodeo has already started for the fall and on to the 2nd or 3rd rodeo in most places with only 5 rodeos in the season. I honestly would wait until spring because from the sounds of it you will still be rushing for that. College rodeo is expensive for what it is. I would definitley go with the 18yo if you can get with his style. As long as the gives you enough money to to get a prospect. I would also make sure your prospect is a QH maybe a 5yo would be a good age. I know college rodeo is a once in a lifetime experience, but it is not for all people. I for one hated it, but I try not to be too one sided when giving advice.
why did you hate it?
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Member
Posts: 17
| Oh yes I know. I didn't plan on ever taking my TB to college, and I don't go to college until next year, I am still in HS. But I've High school rodeoed and jackpot raced. I am going to go with the 18 year old, testing him out on Friday! |
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