This little girl and her horse are fantastic. I'd like everybody to watch their go and then give me some feedback.
Watch them together in the warm-up. Watch her hands. Look at her point of balance. Check out where she looks as they run.
Look at her equipment.
OK. Go.
That's a good hand right there no matter the age. Quiet smooth riding draws checks every time. This is what barrel racing is about. Makes me proud for my sport.
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ReplyDeleteShe does a good job staying out of her horse's mouth. She guides, but doesn't interfere.
ReplyDeleteI'd let that kid ride any of my horses. She had her hands off until she needed them, engaged as much as she needed, then took the pressure off. Some credit goes to that horse too. There's a good mind there.
ReplyDeleteIf that's her mom in the aisleway cueing the horse to slow down and keeping an eye on things, I think she's done a great job. The only thing I would change is that I don't think the girl is wearing a helmet. I was hoping that was a cowboy style helmet, but I don't think it is. But that's it.... Put a nugget bucket on the kid and let 'er rip.
Girl and horse are fantastic for sure. Someone spent some quality time getting that horse patterned and that little girl is riding centered, eyes up, giving hands, balanced and forward – all great qualities and obviously someone cared enough about her to give her a good riding foundation. But … equipment is lacking a mandatory item for me – helmet. I’m sure I will be chastised by some but I just can’t get past it. That little girl has no business being on that horse without a helmet.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever heard anyone chastised for recommending helmets around these hear parts.
ReplyDeleteWhat an enthusiastic little girl! What I noticed was how she stayed in the center of her horse even around the barrels. Just goes to prove that a good horse is good for more than one person. That horse is golden!
ReplyDeleteI guess most folks can see that she is riding well, staying out of the way of a great horse.. I like the fact that she is looking to the next barrel, she is way more than a passenger on that horse..
ReplyDeleteI expect to see and hear about her for years to come..
What an awesome kid - not only does she ride well (though I don't get the "barrel racer" fly-away legs on the home stretch", but this girl appreciates that she is there and the contributions from her horse and family that got her there. she is wowed by the whole thing but still is keeping a level head, and she is absolutely humble!!!! Just please put a helmet on that precious little head.
ReplyDeleteNo tie-down on that pretty pony either. Nice.
ReplyDeleteI immediately noticed no tie-down, and then how well she stayed in the middle and out of the horse's way. The horse's ears are forward, and the entire ride looks extremely smooth. Awesome pair.
ReplyDeleteReally nice pair. They work well together, and that horse clearly likes his/her job AND Chayni. They showed video of her riding him bareback and she looked about the same as she did here! :) Fallon Tayler is doing her darndest to get the helmet thing to catch on in barrel racing, but I think it will take a long time to change. I don't' really know why- it's smart to wear one in any speed event, but I don't want to wear one. I guess the issue is that simple :) There are a hell of a lot of girls that ride disastrously in barrel racing, but they aren't typically the ones that pull checks. At the top tier of racing, the horses are all extremely talented, and the ones that don't have to deal with a poor rider do better, obviously. there are some super stars that go to the NFR with riders who are less than stellar (Babyflo, Martha, etc) but that isn't the norm. And the flyaway legs are used because sometimes, with some horses, it works! :) ITs a speed event, so we try and get the most speed out of our horses that we can. You'll notice though, that they only really come out on the straightaway. WyoFatih
ReplyDeleteI loved watching this pair. What a great horse, and the girl is a star-in-the-making - already a better than "good" horsewoman.
ReplyDeleteI also loved her interview at the semifinals when she said she'd use the million to build an arena and give the rest to charity.
My favorite thing about this pair...this horse has been handled right by the 2 generations who rode him before.
ReplyDeleteThe same knowledge that went into the horse was given to this little girl. She can ride. She is confident, this horse is not a cake walk, but mom is there to help keep things manageable.
No tie-down...no whip...proof that good training and good horsemanship get the job done.
That horse reminds me of some of the great kids jumpers that I knew growing up. It knows and loves it job, and has been trained well in the past. The girl has a great balanced position and keeps out of the horses way, however she also rides by looking for the next barrel and using her weight to cue the horse. I think if you put a rider that rides like a sack of spuds on that horse it wouldn't go near as well. We called them "schoolmasters" they're horses that know the job, however they won't give you the results unless you ask correctly. Amazing horses to learn on and worth their weight in gold.
ReplyDeleteLOVE!
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