TK Barrelhorses

A FAST TIME DOESN’T ALWAYS MEAN IT WAS A GOOD RIDE.

And a slow time doesn’t always mean it was a bad one.

One of the hardest things to learn as a competitor is how to evaluate a run without letting the clock do all the thinking for you.

You can win money and still know you were late, out of position, pulling too much, anticipating, or asking your horse to cover for you.

You can also have a slower run and know that your horse stayed confident, listened, moved correctly, and gave you pieces you’ve been working toward for weeks.

The clock is information.

It is not the whole story.

After every run, I think we should be asking:

What did I feel?

What did my horse tell me?

What did I do in response?

Was I riding what was actually happening — or what I was afraid might happen?

What part of that run needs more training, and what part simply needs more experience?

If the only question we ask is, “What did I run?” we miss a huge opportunity to become better horsemen and better competitors.

Winning is fun.

But understanding WHY a run happened the way it did is what helps us create the next one.

So here’s the question:

When you evaluate your last run, can you separate the quality of the ride from the number on the clock?

💜🐴 A Huge Thank You to Purina and Our Amazing Rep, Miley! 🐴💜

This is what support looks like.

Every couple of weeks, Miley rolls in with another load of Purina feed to help keep the horses of TK Barrelhorses and Central Oregon Riding Academy healthy, happy, and performing at their best.

From performance horses chasing rodeo dreams to lesson horses helping riders build confidence, proper nutrition is the foundation of everything we do. We’re incredibly grateful for Purina’s partnership and belief in our program.

The horses here enjoy a variety of Purina products, including:
✔️ Ultium Gastric Care
✔️ Impact Professional Performance
✔️ WellSolve L/S
✔️ Quality hay and a feeding program designed around each horse’s individual needs

It takes a village to care for the horses that care for so many people, and we are thankful to have Purina and Miley as part of ours.

Please join us in thanking Purina and Miley for their continued support of our horses, riders, and program. 💜

✨ TK Barrelhorses is looking for the RIGHT road partner ✨

I’m at the point in my program where I’m looking for someone who wants to travel, haul horses, run barrels, and help manage horses on the road at a high level.

This is NOT just a barn help position.
I need someone who already has barrel racing experience and understands what goes into preparing, managing, and competing on performance horses.

The ideal person:
• Has barrel racing experience and has actually competed on barrel horses
• Is comfortable driving a truck and pulling a horse trailer
• Understands warm ups, preparation, ground manners, and competition environments
• Can help manage horses at races and rodeos
• Can saddle, hold, pony, warm up, cool down, organize tack, fill water buckets, and keep things running smoothly at the trailer
• Wants to continue learning and growing in horsemanship and riding
• Understands that success comes from preparation, consistency, and attention to detail
• Has integrity, initiative, and can think ahead without constant supervision

This opportunity may include:
✔ Traveling to barrel races and rodeos
✔ Riding opportunities
✔ Learning advanced horsemanship and movement education
✔ Exposure to the Breaking the Mold foundation system
✔ Working around high-level performance horses
✔ Therapy/recovery protocols
✔ Possible leasing/riding opportunities for the right fit
✔ Potential RV hookup/housing options depending on situation

💰 Pay will depend on experience, skill set, reliability, hauling ability, and overall value brought to the program. Compensation may include a combination of hourly pay, travel opportunities, riding opportunities, horse-related perks, and possible housing/RV hookup depending on the situation.

This is a team-oriented environment with high standards.
I am NOT looking for drama, excuses, laziness, or someone who wants to just “hang around horses.”

I am looking for someone who wants to become valuable and be part of something bigger.

Located in Bend, Oregon.

Please send your résumé and a short description about yourself, your riding background, hauling experience, and goals to:

📧 [email protected]

— Tanya Ledbetter
TK Barrelhorses

Consistency is one of the most important pieces of becoming a successful rider, and it’s something I’m seeing missed more often than not.

When a rider comes for a lesson and then doesn’t come back for several weeks, it becomes very difficult to build the kind of progress that’s required for this sport. Barrel racing is not just about running the pattern—it’s about developing feel, timing, and balance, and those are skills that take consistent, guided repetition.

Without that consistency, riders often go home and practice on their own, unintentionally reinforcing the wrong things. I’m seeing horses being ridden out of balance, going to barrels on the incorrect lead, or leaning into turns—all of which are signs that the rider hasn’t yet developed the awareness needed to self-correct.

For example, when a horse is leaning to the inside and is then asked for a lead, it will almost always pick up the wrong lead. These are subtle things, but they make a huge difference in the outcome of a run and are a big reason why riders struggle on the pattern.

Until a rider can truly recognize and correct these details on their own, it’s critical that they stay in consistent, weekly lessons while also practicing correctly between sessions. This is how we build a solid foundation—and ultimately, that’s what leads to confidence, consistency, and success in the arena.

I also want to say how much I appreciate the riders and families who are committed to showing up every week, putting in the work, and staying consistent. That dedication is what builds true rider awareness and long-term success, and it does not go unnoticed.