08/13/2026
A Reflection on Our First WPRA Montana Circuit Season
Fair warningāthis is a long read, but it comes from the heart.
As we reflect on our first permit season in the professional rodeo arena, we hope our experience might help someone just beginningāor a young lady dreaming about the day she gets her chance. We had many questions and unknowns, so we hope this is meaningful.
Going into the 2026 season, we had very few expectations. We simply wanted to experience professional rodeo firsthandāthe excitement, the challenges, the lessons and everything in between. We received plenty of good advice, but experience became our greatest teacher. At times, it was intimidating. As the season went on, however, we began to settle in, find our rhythm and feel like we belonged.
First, professional rodeo is expensive - budget ahead of time - start now for the new season coming up. You will be thankful for putting away $20.00 here and there - it will matter.
Preseason veterinary care starts early. Ours was March. Conditioning, shoeing, supplements, entry fees, fuel, tires, oil changes and the wear and tear on a pulling vehicle and trailer add up quickly. Horse shoes can cost more than our own footwear, and quality supplements can make organic groceries seem inexpensive.
Cha-ching, cha-ching, cha-chingāyou get the picture.
That makes realistic expectations especially important. If your horse is not consistently running competitive 1D times at jackpots, it may be unrealistic to expect to regularly land in the money at professional rodeos. Every horse and rider can have a great day, but there are highly accomplished teams competing at nearly every rodeo. If your goal is to consistently earn a check, you must be prepared to compete at a very high level.
Biggest and most important lesson learnered: Unrealistic expectations can quickly turn an exciting opportunity into discouragement. Mindset mattersābig time. Find a network of good people who believe in you and support your vision. Ignore and avoid ALL of the negative nasayers - you don't want them to be anywhere near you on this jouney.
Professional rodeo brings incredible highs and difficult lows. A beautiful, potentially winning run can end the moment a barrel falls - it happened to us and we watched it happen at almost every rodeo. One opportunity disappears, and the next may not come for quite some time.
In that way, barrel racing reminds us a little of golf: make your run, then wait until the final horse and rider have finished. Until then, nothing is guaranteed.
If you choose to spend the money because you value the experience and memories, it can be one of the best investments you ever make. Some people spend tens of thousands of dollars taking a dream vacation. Others spend their money chasing a dream down the road for three or four months. In the end, it is your choiceānot the choice of someone who may never fully understand why you do it (re read the above paragraph about the negative naysayers).
We left this season with phenomenal memories. Staying positive was essential. So was remaining grounded, focusing on growth and giving both horse and rider time to adjust to the new surroundings, pressure and energy. This is a long gameāa very long gameānot a sprint toward success. Reaching the top takes time, patience, discipline, grit and determination. Protecting your emotional well-being along the way is just as important.
We also learned to arrive early. Rodeo parking can be an experience all its ownāespecially when you are learning to maneuver a 35-foot living-quarters trailer through crowded areas behind the pens. Unfortunately, not everyone considers how their parking choices affect the people around them. Give yourself extra time, remain patient and expect the unexpected. If you plan to self-pen your horse, carefully read each rodeoās rules. Some locations do not permit electric fencing, and stalls may not be available.
We chose lightweight portable panels. They were secure, easy to set up and worked extremely well for us. We strongly recommend fitting and practicing with everything at home first. Depending on your trailer, safely attaching the panels may require some modifications.
Some competitors successfully used push-in plastic posts and a single strand of electric twine. That may be a more affordable option for a horse accustomed to it. With all the unfamiliar noises, movement and activity surrounding a rodeo, we wanted the added security of solid panels. They were the right choice for us and will remain our choice moving forward.
Most of the people we met were kind, approachable and willing to answer questions or help us learn. That generosity meant a great deal to us.
We were also tremendously impressed by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association officials. Whether slack began at 8:00 a.m., the performance started at 7:30 p.m., or slack continued at midnight, the officials consistently upheld the rules and treated each competition with professionalism and integrity. From what we witnessed, slack received the same care and attention as the performances. That gave us confidence that the playing field remained fair despite the many circumstances no one could control.
Our hats are off to the committees, officials, volunteers and everyone who produces these rodeos. Far more work goes into each event than most people will ever see or understand.
We also learned a lesson about nutrition on the road. It should be easy for a disciplined personāor so we thought. You can leave home with the best intentions and a cooler full of healthy food, only to be lured away by the sights and smells of the Midway food booths. We expect our horses to arrive prepared to compete at a high level. Moving forward, we know we must hold ourselves to that same standard. Fitness, nutrition and personal discipline are important parts of success for the rider, too.
Above all, we are grateful.
Being part of professional rodeo was something we had worked toward for a long time. It was rewarding to see the pieces of our program coming together and to feel encouraged about its future.
Now we will reflect, learn, adjust and laugh about some of our first-season experiences. After the 2026ā2027 college rodeo season, we will begin dreaming about next yearās rodeo and incentive seasonāand the opportunity to compete with our new horse, Roo.
We have raised Roo from birth and have spent the past five years believing in her potential. She is young, athletic, powerful and ready for the adventures ahead. She has a tremendous motor, just like her mother, Tigger, and we cannot wait to see what the next chapter brings. She will be a perfect compliment to both Poppy and Tigger.
To every current competitor, future competitor and young lady dreaming of her opportunity: believe in your journey. Be patient with yourself and your horse. Remain humble, keep learning and remember that success rarely happens overnight. The road may be long, expensive and uncertainābut the experiences, friendships, lessons and memories can make every mile worthwhile.
Finally, our sincere thanks to our wonderful supporters and sponsors:
Envy Hair Salon in Terry
Tractor Supply Company
CEP Supplements
Agri Best Feeds
Your encouragement and support mean more to us than we can adequately express. We are deeply grateful to have you alongside us on this journey.
Hereās to the lessons of our first seasonāand to everything still waiting down the road. ā¤ļøš“
