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A NEW FRIENDSHIP BEGINSAt 26 years of age and still performing like a 10 year old, I feel so fortunate to be able to share a part of Bubba's legacy. It all began when my horse, "Dolly", became too much for me to handle at the alley. She had become very nervous, rearing, side-passing, darting and at times running away with me. It was taking too long to get her in the arena and taking half the rodeo personnel to get us in. Needless to say, each event was a struggle and always a disappointment. Don't get me wrong, she is an incredible horse who has taken me to the pay window many times, but the better she got the worse she was at the gate. My parents decided that it was time to send her off to boot camp and hopefully have a trainer get her to the point that I could control her. |
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| DOLLY'S TRAINER FINDS BUBBA Dolly's trainer, Lanita Powers (A Champion Barrel Racer), did a wonderful job with her, but she felt Dolly and I didn't have the long-term experience and that Dolly would not be consistent and problems would creep up again, which they did. At this point I wasn't certain what to do. People told me to sell her and find another horse but that was not an option. I love Dolly and I will wait for however long it takes. Lanita felt it was really important for me to ride a horse that was automatic and could give me a good ride so I could see what it would be like to run a race without the worries of a difficult horse. While Lanita was looking for a horse for me, she contacted her cousin, Mike Doyle. His son and daughter were the current owners of a horse that had been retired from barrel racing and pole bending for the last year. He said that it would be good for Bubba to be performing again and that while they would never agree to sell him I would be able to use him. Lanita called and I got so excited about this horse. My dad called Mike and set a time to go out and and meet him and his family and to pick Bubba up. |  LANITA & HER HORSE WAHINI CASH |
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MEETING BUBBA & HIS FAMILYAfter arriving we met Carolyn, who brought Bubba to meet me. Her dad Mike, saddled up Bubba for me and I went out to the pasture to ride him. Wow, it was like such an incredible bond I felt for him immediately. I can understand why Carolyn and Steven (Carolyn's Brother) were so attached to him. They have won many buckles and saddles on Bubba and told me that he still has it in him to win many more. Although I look forward to winning some races, just being able to ride and enjoy riding with a horse like Bubba is a dream come true. He has and continues to teach me many things.
CAROLYN, BUBBA & STEVEN >>>
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[ click on photo above to see the larger image ] |
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MAKING NEW FRIENDSThrough Bubba I have also made an incredible friend who I talk with frequently and who has helped me so much in eventing. Carolyn grew up with Bubba and knows all of his little quirks and what makes him tick. She and Steven came out to an event where I was riding Bubba, to lend their support and help me get the most out of my runs.
<<< CAROLYN & BUBBA |
OLD FRIENDS REUNITEAnother special friend of Bubba's was at the race also. Angie Meadors who was one of Bubba's early owners and who rode him when he was a young guy. She was excited to see he was still competing.
ANGIE & BUBBA >>> |
A RACE REMEMBEREDI recently attended a camp, Trinity Fellowship's - "Camp of Champions", with Bubba where Tamara Reinhardt (NFR - National Finals Rodeo Champion) described Bubba as "a war horse". She shared a Bible verse with the campers that referred to the "war horse". Tamara raced against Angie and Bubba many years ago.
<<< TAMARA, TAYLOR AND BUBBA...I feel so blessed to be a part of this incredible horse's life story. | |
