Wednesday, August 12, 2009
When do you know if you are ready to RODEO?
Ask Tina Question:
I have a nice 1D horse, and I am thinking about getting my permit and going to WPRA/PRCA circuit rodeos. What are the pros and cons of it in your opinion? I want to make money at it and can't afford to just donate. I am doing good entering jackpots and super shows and showing a profit.
Ask Tina Answer:
That is a complex answer, first lets talk about the CONS. If you are winning 1D at jackpots or super shows, chances are you are paying $20 to $60 per entry fee and 1D is paying you about $200 to $500 to win average. The benefits about shows close to home is less fuel costs. The benefit to shows that cater to barrel racers is good ground. Pro Rodeos will cost you about $60 to enter and more as added money goes up and the ground is rarely as nice as show ground. You will usually travel farther so more fuel. To make it to the Circuit finals the Top 12 girls have gone to about 20 to 30 rodeos by the end of the season for an average. The top girl is winning about $15,000 in the circuit but the rest will qualify from $4,000 to $7,000. Most rodeos pay about $1000 to win in the circuit, less if less added money and of course more with more added money. They pay holes based on entries and added money, 6 to 10 spots on average. Divide up $4000 by 20 rodeos that is only winning about $200 per rodeo in tougher ground conditions, before fuel and entry fees. It's not something you can make a living doing in the circuit! Most rodeo performances are on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, so you may have to have a flexible job to leave on Friday or miss a Monday. When you are only a permit holder you get slack most of the time, so consider that too, until you win $1000 on your permit and then you start over on your card. Member fees must be considered too, a permit is $250 and a card is more. You may be wondering why these girls don't win at more rodeos if they are going to 20 on a nice horse. Luck can play a big part in rodeo, especially in outdoor pens. Plus there are more 1D level horses to run against than a show. Sometimes it will pour on one performance and the others have great weather so you got bad ground. Sometimes the ground gets better at the last performance then in the first, you never know. Draw can play a big part, they usually run 10 barrel racers per rodeo so they aren't dragging on 5 like at shows.
The PRO is the excitement of being apart of our country's past and something that is part of the old, wild west. Rodeos are exciting and of course there is "bragging rights." Rodeo people are of course people you would have a lot in common with, good country folk, women that love horses and barrel racing! Of course winning at rodeos may open other windows for you for training, sales and getting to jockey nice horses for other people.
In my case I make more money not leaving my ranch. Training, giving lessons and doing clinics($35K to 40K gross)is more profitable for me. It makes more since for me to hit shows and rodeos within 3 hours of home for me. It's all about what your passion is, what your responsibilities are(MOM), and what your long term goals are. Truly only a small few can make a living going to rodeos and those ladies you will see in Las Vegas at the NFR in December. If you want to rodeo, I would suggest having a second income, someone backing you or great sponsors!
I enjoy rodeo and only hit a few (4 or 5) a year you must remember there is a seasoning process for you and your horse getting use to new pens, new ground and new excitement. Rodeo horses travel long hours, go in pens blind usually, not knowing the ground or scenery. Super show horses can exhibition, they can relax in a stall for a few days. I would suggest slack for awhile until you get your horse confident in new pens and ground. Sometimes the ground is worked better for slack too. If your horse doesn't mind loud music, ropers, bull, clown acts, monkeys riding dogs, then you can enter with a card holder and get a performance too.
Thanks for the question, I hope I have helped you decide on the pros and cons! It's defiantly fun. You could consider open rodeos like River Ranch or Gernie or PCA, they may not cost as much to enter and not have the member fees just to see how you like rodeos for your horse. Congratulations on showing a profit racing not an easy thing to do with all the expenses horses bring!
Tina Spangler - TLC
www.tlcbarrelhorsetraining.com
