Rimbey, AB Cowgirl Sam Smith wasted no time getting 3 saddles won in 1 week. The 15 year old barrel racer (and roper) lit up the boards at the ABRA finals to win 2 saddles in the Junior Barrel Racing. Sam won the Hi Point Youth (Bob Baker Memorial Award) and the 1D Youth saddle. Sam and Taylor Babcook ran the exact same time in the short go. The sponsors graciously donated another saddle so they could both have one for their 1D win.
If that wasn’t enough excitement, the next weekend Sam competed at the Lakeland Rodeo Association Finals and won another saddle for the championship. This time there was a 3 way runoff and Sam came out the winner of yet another saddle.
We were able to catch up with Sam to ask her about her horses and what her winning program is like.
-What is the name of the horse you are running (registered and barn name)?
Click to enlarge Sir Max Jo Jet’s Pedigree
I ran two different horses, Sir Max Mo Jet, aka “Clutch”, who I won the ABRA saddles on and Ettabo Kid, aka “Locket” who I won the Lakeland on
-How old are these geldings?
Locket is 18 and Clutch is 8
-How long have you been running barrels on him?
I have been riding Locket for about a year and a half and Clutch for just under a year
-What is the training background on this horse?
Locket was born on the Walters farm and trained by Kareen Warren, and Clutch is actually a pole bending horse out of Indiana who had been started on barrels when I bought him in September of 2011
-What is your training and riding style with your horse?
Click to Enlage Ettabo Kid’s Pedigree
My horses are unique from one another. Clutch is built more like a “race horse” and Locket is a shorter, more muscular horse. When I was younger I rode with Dee Butterfield a lot, and this has helped me figure out what to do with different horses. When I ride Locket, I try to stick with Kareen’s method by keeping a small pocket and making sure he slows down before the turns. With Clutch, I’ve been riding with Brook Robertson, who has helped me a lot. I really have to work on making sure he has enough room going into the barrel so he can collect and come off tight. Most times I will circle a barrel at least two or more times to make sure he is calm before I continue. When working barrels I try to refrain from using too much speed, rarely will I go faster than a lope. I do this to ensure my horse stays calm and collected so I have the control I need. For the most part I try to stick to the same method on each horse to eliminate any confusion.
-What is it you like best about him?
Both of my horses have so much talent and are so nice to be around! They get along well with each other and love to have people around them.
-How do you prepare for your runs (warm up etc.)?
When warning up I make sure to do a lot of long trotting. Trotting stretches out their muscles better than anything else to make sure they are warmed up and ready to run. After trotting I will lope a couple circles in each direction to give them that extra workout.
-What kind of saddle do you use?
I’ve rode in a few different brands of horse saddles but at the moment I ride in a Tod Slone. When I receive my Pozzi Pro saddle from Panhandle Traders, and my qualifier from Cowboy Country I will probably start riding in them too.
-What kind of pad do you use?
I have a ton of different saddle pads. On Locket I use a Tod Slone pad, but in the past I have used an ESP pad and an impact gel on him. On Clutch I use a Corrector Pad. This pad has interchangeable pads to build up the pad where needed.
-What kind of bit do you use?
On Locket I use a short shanked snaffle indoors and a medium shanked Cervi bit outside. For Clutch, I use a long shanked bit with a twisted mouthpiece built by Dave Elliot.
-Are there any specific goals you have set for yourself and your horse this season?
Any goals I have set have been achieved! I couldn’t ask for anything more. My horses are both working awesome and really showed me what they can do. I have a few high school rodeos this fall and next spring that I would like to do well at, so I’ll be very happy with them as long as they try.
-What lead you to be a barrel racer?
When I was little my sister, Taylor, barrel raced and when I saw her do it, I wanted to too. My parents don’t rodeo at all, so it’s up to my sisters and I to figure things out.
-If you were to share a training/rodeo tip what would it be?
When having problems, don’t be afraid to ask someone for help. Sometimes other people can see things you don’t, and it doesn’t ever hurt to ask. Nobody is going to be offended when you ask them if they can see anything you need to fix and it will really help both you and your horse to get another persons opinion.
Would you like to add anything else?
I’d like to thank my Mom and Dad for supplying me with the horses and materials I need to succeed. As well as my sisters for helping me with absolutely everything! A huge thank you to Kareen for selling us Locket and Jerry for selling us Clutch. Also a big thank you to Brook and Dee for helping me since I could barely walk!
Here are a couple videos of Sam and her horses. Clutch at the 2012 ABRA Finals in Ponoka, AB and Locket at the LRA Finals. You can find the complete event results here: ABRA Finals Results
Thank you Sam and best of luck the rest of the year! ~ Michelle
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