“A good horse trainer develops a quality horse. One that has all the bells and whistles.” A great horse trainer creates that horse and develops the rider… They put as much passion and hard work into the owner as they do the horse.

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“I’ve taken a lot of pressure off myself this year by focusing more on just enjoying my horses, the rides they give me and my time in the saddle. . . I’m excited to see what this year brings for me and my three troublemakers.”

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Santa’s helpers come in all shapes and sizes. At Marcella’s barn, Santa’s biggest helper is Funny Bunny B, a patient off-track Thoroughbred who keeps the littles busy while everyone else prepares for the holidays. (more…)

“There were maybe three other riders in the warm up pen with us and without warning I vomited right off the side of my horse.”

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“I mean, how many people can say, ‘My foot is broken, I’m relearning to walk, but I trust my four-year-old horse to safely maneuver me through shooting patterns?'” (more…)

“From broken truck to broken foot to broken heart, it’s been one hell of a month on my mental and financial stability. I’ve been so fortunate to have some of the greatest people surrounding me, helping me get through the tough times.”

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“I started this sport because I like to ride my horse and shoot guns, I continue participating because I look forward to seeing these great people almost every weekend.”

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“Payco’s less than desirable moments at shoots are embarrassing, confidence breaking and trust shattering instances…Sometimes I cry because I know I’m a better rider, sometimes it’s because I was fully confident Payco was going to be … and other times I cry because I knew from his first stride he was going to take off with me…”

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“I’m just trying to get to know him, figure him out and create a long lasting relationship with him. I had forgotten how long it actually takes to make a horse your partner. This is a wake up call and a bit of a blow to the face.”

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Two’s company, three’s a crowd… at least that’s the case for this troublesome trio.

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You’ve read about last year’s successes, now here are this year’s goals as we kick off 2022.

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This year has been a productive year for me and my horses. They’ve all progressed so much it’s almost as if the series name, “Triple Trouble” doesn’t describe them anymore. Here’s a glance at how 2021 went for us.

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“Was Payco going to take to the gunfire and step into the shoes of a competition level mounted shooting horse?…if there’s any horse I have faith will do well and succeed, it’s the one I have…”

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“Finally, I told myself to snap out of it, get my $h!t together and look at all the positives… I may not have won my class that weekend, but I won in other aspects that are greater than a buckle and a pay check.”

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Yearlings can be difficult, especially big, spicy Hot Sauce. Sometimes I can be extremely hard on myself when it comes to her training so it was good to hear Jared say, “If she does go to bucking, it’s not the end of the world. Horse’s make mistakes. Just yield her hindquarters and mean it.”

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I’m not sure if there’s anything that makes me happier than seeing that all three of my horses are going to be successful.

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“Chance really exhibited how even though someone or something can have a rough beginning to life, with the right resources, they can become successful and lead a fulfilling life.”

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“After all the hard work, all the let downs and all the mistakes, the high points feel SO much more rewarding. The feeling of hard work paying off is a feeling you can’t get from having wins handed to you.”

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Buns raced around the warm up pen bouncing me all over the place like that scene in Yellowstone where Jimmy is taped to the horse.

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“Payco started snorting, so I prepared for the worst. I was not — and I repeat, I WAS NOT — ready for the worst.” Marcella Gruchalak takes Payco out on his first solo trail ride. (more…)