The sport of barrel racing is one of the most technical, fun and adrenaline-fueled events in the equine industry. However, it can also be one of the most expensive. Today’s riders are caught in possession of the $ 30,000 horse with the $ 70,000 truck and trailer; That doesn’t even include the price of maintenance and equipment. Although, I don’t mean to discourage anyone from walking away from the sport. You can still be a winner without spending a small fortune. In this article, I will show you seven steps to becoming a successful keg broker on a budget.
1. You must accept your financial situation. No matter what sport you practice, you will always have to compete with the most privileged. This is not a weakness or an impediment, so do not be discouraged or bitter. Let it inspire you.
2. Now that you have accepted your financial position, you must make do with what you have. Don’t get caught up in what others can do. A $ 6,500 bumper pull and a 1,500 truck will get you on the same barrel race or rodeo as the $ 70,000 rig. No matter what you drive, it will have no impact on what happens in the arena.
3. There is a great competitive advantage that many riders do not take advantage of and that is to be the most correct driver. No matter what level you’re riding, people take notice and applaud those who ride well. Many riders are over-mounted and cannot control their horse. People realize that and you don’t have to be like that. Be prepared to ride the best horse in the field.
4. Yes, most winning 1-D rodeo horses in their prime (ages 8-14) are going to cost $ 30,000 and up. However, there are other horses that can also win. Horses ages 16 and up are great teachers who will not only lead you to the pay window, but will also teach you how to really ride and be thankful. These horses are veterans of the sport and know the way to success.
5. Earlier I said that you shouldn’t try to keep up with everyone else. However, it is important to have good quality equipment and food to help your horse perform at its best. The money you save by not buying a huge truck, trailer, and fancy horse, you can invest in a nice saddle to help you ride, joint supplements to keep your horse feeling good, and high-quality feed that will give you the better nutrition.
6. Once you have mastered the older horse and have superior riding skills than your competition, the next step is to buy a young horse. Younger horses are more expensive than older horses because there is no limitation to their potential. Also, younger horses are not priced too high yet. Now that you’ve honed your driving skills and understand barrel racing, you can train and bring in a young prospect. This will be the most rewarding of the steps. Nothing is more satisfying than winning on a horse that you trained and tuned.
7. This last step may be the most important. Accept your failure and lack of funds. It will make you a humble and talented pilot, who can never be taken away from you. Let limitations be the inspiration to do great things in barrel racing. And always help the less fortunate, they too need someone to inspire them.
