Are “rodeo horses” really that different from “jackpot horses?” We’ve heard many barrel racers ask the question, so BHN caught up with three pros to shed some light on the subject.
   

by Laura Lambert 

 Some people believe that particular horses are better suited to the jackpot arena and others the rodeo pen. Maybe you believe that your horse excels at the rodeos or maybe the team of you and horse perform better at jackpots. Whatever the conviction, one thing is clear, there are varying schools of thought regarding this issue.  

photo by Pixel Works

Barrel Horse News sat down with three champion barrel racers to find out their thoughts on rodeo horses versus jackpot horses. Two former world champions—who between them own 16 world titles—Kristie Peterson and Charmayne James, were both consulted. Jordan Peterson, a cowgirl who, like her mother Kristie, hopes to someday have her own gold buckle also weighed in. 

The Elements

When comparing rodeos to jackpots, there are a host of considerations that come into play. Rodeo circumstances include so many elements like the carnivals, the crowds, lights, ever-varying ground conditions, ropes, flags, loud announcers and music—and the list only grows from rodeo to rodeo. Jackpots generally pose a quieter atmosphere along with generally better ground. All three ladies agreed that there are in fact “rodeo horses” and “jackpot horses.”

Million-dollar cowgirl and multiple WPRA world champion Kristie Peterson says that the major difference boils down to the rider’s role in the equation.

“I’ve put a lot of thought into this and I really believe that most of the time, the success in one area or the other depends on the rider,” said Kristie. Kristie recalled hearing a rider once say that they had their “jackpot shoes on,” as an explanation as to why Kristie could outrun them at the jackpots but they ran tougher at the rodeos. This, she said, amounted to cues coming from the rider to the horse. Kristie also shared that, “A horse only runs to the level of the rider.” We give our horses cues and attitudes just by our actions on a particular day or at a particular event.

James agreed that a multitude of factors affect horses and riders in various ways, stating “There are horses that can stand the energy that comes from rodeos. When you start adding up the elements there is simply a lot of extra energy for the horse to deal with at a rodeo and it affects horses and riders both positively and negatively.”

Some horses need a little “rodeo energy” to get their game face on and perform to the best of their ability, while others simply can’t handle the environment and become overwhelmed by their surroundings. James cited her horse Sea Doo (registered Dash Dreamer) as a prime example. She explained how he is a free runner that does great at the jackpots but when he was introduced to the stress of a large, loud event, he just didn’t handle it as well. She does believe though that as a horse ages, they get better at handling the excitement. James also agrees that people send a lot of signals to their horses indirectly. She believes that horses can read their riders and know when the rider is taking things more “seriously,” as might happen at a major rodeo.  When asked her opinion, Jordan Peterson offered a little different perspective on the elements of rodeo and how they affect a horse.

When asked whether she thinks some horses perform better in one area or the other, she was quick to answer, “Yes, for sure.” Jordan puts a lot of stock in the fact that some horses have a style that is simply more conducive to rodeo conditions. She also said that, “Soundness issues can limit where a horse can run. Hard ground is tough on horses and rodeo ground can limit some horses if they have soundness issues." 

Stressful Situations

All three experts opined that stress plays a major role in a barrel horse’s success or failure at any level. Horses are constantly under varying degrees of tension. Sometimes even saddling a horse creates stress. Anytime we do something to a horse that is not natural for them, we create stress and the horse’s ability to handle it contributes greatly to their success at any level, particularly rodeo.

Both Kristie and Jordan like some cow sense bred into their horses. They believe this helps horses adjust and mentally endure stress.

“I don't necessarily believe one bloodline makes a better rodeo horse,” said Jordan, “but they have to have a good mind. Rodeo horses are going to be under a great deal of stress and they need to be able to handle it and still work."

All three agree that hauling is a source of anxiety for any horse. Jackpot horses generally go once a weekend to an event and stay for a couple of days in one location. In contrast, rodeo horses are on the road a lot, sometimes even four or five rodeos in a weekend. Loading and unloading plus the strain on a horse’s joints associated with hauling can certainly take a toll.

Eating and drinking is another major concern relating to stress. There are horses out there that lose weight while on the rodeo trail regardless of the best efforts and intentions of their rider. Keeping horses eating and drinking is vital while traveling no matter if you are going to jackpots or rodeos. 

The bottom line is that rodeo horses are tough; they have to be. These horses handle a high degree of stress. The various factors confronting the true rodeo horse demand level headedness and concentration on the horse’s part as well as the rider’s.  

Ground Conditions

One thing that most barrel racers will agree on is the simple fact that rodeo ground is not as good as jackpot ground. Many factors contribute to ground conditions from place to place, but one thing is for sure, rodeo horses have to be able to adjust to all types of ground. In just one rodeo run, you can encounter hard, slick and shifty ground. Conditions can even change from barrel to barrel at some rodeos. A good example is running to the barrel in front of the bucking chutes. The ground at this barrel is generally harder than the other two because some stock contractors like to keep the ground firmer for the bucking stock thus changing the ground from barrel to barrel.

Seasoning a horse to perform on various types of ground is a lengthy process. Jordan likes to work her horses in different arenas with different types of ground.

“Mom and I will run our horses on trashy ground. We really think they need to learn to place their feet,” said Jordan. Kristie agreed, “I don’t protect them. I try to expose them to everything within reason and as safely as possible, but I don’t protect them. They have to learn.”  James likes to send a horse to the feedlot. “Once those horses learn to be careful on all types of ground, they learn to stand up and keep their feet under them,” she said.

James also points out that horses can handle more types of ground if you keep the horse balanced. She trains for balance in the turns.  Keeping a horse between the reins and allowing for adjustments will help a horse perform on bad ground.

Having a smart horse can also cause clocking differences. Once a horse gets smart to rodeo ground, they might not always runs as hard as they possibly can because they are taking care of themselves, and you for that matter. This can explain why some horses are just scalding at the jackpot and then can’t handle the ground at the rodeo. Old hat rodeo horses get smart and take care of themselves. This sometimes hinders rodeo horses at the jackpot because they will be competing against horses that just give their life with every run because they trust that the ground is always good. 

Success at Every Level

So, with all variables considered, what is it that makes a horse successful at all levels? The list is long for sure but some things are too important to overlook. Confidence, seasoning, timing, training basics, individualism and experience must be considered. The rider is as much a part of success as the horse in most situations. There are, of course, exceptions to the rule but for the most part it’s a team effort.

If you examine all of the parts, you will find that each one is just as important as the next.  Confidence is key to winning regardless of where you choose to haul. Riders must be confident in their horse, their training, their riding ability and their decision-making. Jordan learned from legendary world champion Wanda Bush to, “trust your training.” This builds confidence in your horse by allowing them to do what they know. It also relaxes the rider if they’ve done their homework before arriving at the race or rodeo because they know the horse is going to work and won’t transfer anxiety to the horse.

Confidence is built between horse and rider many ways. “Horses get confidence from their riders.” Said Kristie. “Doing the same things and being consistent all the time is important. Don’t give your horse mixed signals. You should practice the way you want to perform and then if you perform the same way you practice, you build your horse’s confidence.” 

Kristie believes riders must be consistent with their cues and ride with their body. “The faster a horse goes, the more they look to you for support,” she concluded.“I think that by being a really correct rider you instill assurance in your horse,” said James. She also thinks that just as people are individuals, so too are horses. The most important thing according to James is not tearing a horse’s confidence down by jerking, pulling too much in the turns, becoming overly nervous or giving incorrect cues. A very important ingredient to the recipe of success is that the horse knows you like them said James. 

“If the horse knows you like them they will do anything for you. They will always have their quirks, just like people, but they will perform if they know you like them. Bonding with a horse is important and you need to spend time doing it for a horse to give you his all,” said James.

She also emphasized that when you purchase a finished horse that is performing to the best of their ability for the current owner, you need to spend some time learning everything you can about the horse from the owner. The more you know up front, including the horse’s personality traits, will help you bond with them and get to the top faster. 

Seasoning

Winning requires a lot of sacrifice. One of the things that all three champions agreed on was the importance and cost of seasoning your barrel horse. Each one does it a little differently but the ultimate goal is a nice, solid, seasoned horse. 

Kristie starts at home when they are young exposing them to every possible element. She said that spending enough time with them is critical so she does little things like catching other horses while riding one horse or penning her horse next to other animals. She opens gates, rides in the pasture as does as much away from the barrels to season them as she does on the pattern.

Jordan likes to exhibition horses when she first starts hauling them, maybe for a couple of months and then she sends them in cold turkey. She takes her young horses everywhere with her so that they can see all the sites. Jordan probably put it best when she said, “Really, it just takes spending money. You have to pay your dues and let the horse learn.”

James agrees that you put them in the trailer every chance you get but said you need to decide what your ultimate end goal is for both you and your horse. If you are trying to season a horse to rodeo on, then you need to go to the rodeos. They need to be exposed to all the elements you are expecting them to overcome. She also believes that they need to learn how to haul and be in the trailer.   

“Every time a horse goes through the gate, it’s business,” said James. “They need to understand that when they are away from home they are there to run barrels and be able to forget about all of the distractions.” 

The Bottom Line

The common thread existing between these three experienced horsewomen is that each of them believes that horses are individuals. Yes, there may be horses that perform better at the jackpots or at the rodeos but the key to this often lies with the rider. Each rider’s approach is very important to enabling a horse to perform to the best of their ability. Riders must be in tune to their horse and his insecurities.

The panel of champions all agreed that horses have to like you. Recognizing whether your horse is performing at his or her best is your key to winning at any level. The horse has to like his job and want to do it. Being sound, staying calm and enjoying the task at hand tops the list of considerations for the Petersons and for James.

Knowing your horses and where they perform along with knowing where you perform best will increase the odds of winning. At the end of the day, we all have a passion and that passion includes incredible athletes that deserve the best chance they can get to be winners.

Laura Lambert is a many-time Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo qualifier, Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo qualifier and recently a freelance contributor. She reside in Wiggins, Colo., with her husband Ricky and sons Brayden and Boedy. E-mail comments on this article to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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