Ambers's Blog


High School Rodeo

September 23 & 24, 2017

High school rodeo runs we got to Lincoln rodeo grounds early Friday whisky has never been there. We did a time only Friday it was great I felt really good going into my first weekend running him there. On Saturday we ran a 19.114 not my fastest but we had a huge slip on the third barrel we recovered well and finished strong. I still placed in the top 10 with 7th place. My pony Shelly also did great she got a 23 on poles and placed me in the top 5.  Sunday whisky and had a good run a 19.2 but I was sick all day with over a 100 degree fever and a runny nose I've never felt so sick! But I was determined to finish out my runs Sunday and cowgirl up and get it done. It was not easy but we did it.

I fell asleep in the truck as soon as we loaded up the horses and left Lincoln. Thank you to all my wonderful sponsors I always try to do my best and ride hard for myself and all of you!  Love, Amber


Kick Off Barrel Race 

September 9, 2017  |  Triple Crown Equestrian Center

Had a great run in Lincoln an 18.8 my horse tripped at the first barrel but we recovered well and stayed strong. My new horse is young and is doing very well but we both still have lots of room for improvement. The ground in Lincoln was great and thank you again to all my wonderful sponsors I could not do all this without your great support! I will keep running hard and make you all proud.  
Love, Amber 


WBCRA Finals

Labor Day Weekend, 2017  |  King City, CA
I qualified to run in the WCBRA Richest Race in the West in King City, California. It is the second largest divisional finals in the world. There are over 600 riders from all over the west and NFR barrel racers too. I took my 5 year old Lil Whiskey. I was a little worried about how he would do with all of the traveling and all of the noise a such a large race. And you have to run out of an alley, we have never done that before. On Friday, I took him in the arena to run some time only’s. He did so good! I was really looking forward to the race starting on Saturday. We got our draw number and I was happy that I got to run before it got too hot.


Whiskey was nice and calm in the holding pen, he picked up his lead in the alley and went right after the first barrel. Our first turn was perfect! It was so neat to hear the crowd cheer as we ran to the second barrel. Our second and third turns was great and we ran towards home it was so loud when we crossed the timing line. Whiskey did a great job! Our first run at the Finals was an 18.388. It placed me really low in the 3D, but I really felt like a champion. I got to watch my friends run and when we were done, we got to hang out together. My mom and dad called me when I was with my friends. When I got back to our trailer, they surprised me with a gift. They bought me a Back on Track mesh sheet. I was really happy and thankful for it. I want to take care of Whiskey because he takes care of me.


On Sunday, the draw was flipped, so I got to run in the evening. It was so hot in King City. We pulled Whiskey out of his pen in the afternoon and hosed him down and found some shade for him to stand in. Our second run was not as good as Saturday’s. I had a bit of a wide first barrel but we still had a good run. We ran and 18.693 which placed me 9th in the 4D and we won a check! I got a lot of good advice from my trainer Diane and my friend Cathy Vallerga on how to make my runs faster.


On Monday, I wanted to run an 18.000. We had another great first turn, but unfortunately I hit the second barrel. I didn’t push him past enough. I was disappointed that I did that, but I thought about it and I learned to not quit pushing him all the way.


So altogether, I had 2 good runs and 1 lesson to not do that again. We left King City proud. I cannot wait for next year! We are going to keep pushing and getting better. Lil Whiskey is a special horse.
I want to thank all of my sponsors: Classic Barrel Racing, Triple Crown Arena, Sugarland Horse Park, Riding Warehouse, Cactus Saddlery, Equine Performance Relief, Renew Gold and Finish Line Horse Products. And thank you to all of the people who help put on the WCBRA Finals…I will see you next year.
Love,
Amber


August 17

Woodland, CA

We decided to take Pepper, my regular horse, and not run her just let her go and relax walk in the gate and out she did great. My young horse Whisky was so awesome. Our third time now ever running we got a 17.967 we won first place in the 2D  and got another check. It was  my best day ever! I just love all my horses and they always give me their best! I'm so thankful for my sponsors and my family who all do so much for me and my horses. I spoiled Whisky and put his back on tracks on him and gave him grain and lots of love for being so good.  ~Love, Amber


August 12 & 13

Rope & Run, Woodland, CA

I ran both horses, Pepper the one I have been running and my young one Whisky, this weekend. It's a lot riding two horses but I love it. The horse I usually run, Pepper, has been a little tough getting in the gate but we got two nice runs in, a 19.001 and a 18.501 over the weekend so I was happy with that. She needs a few trail rides going to give her some time off and then get back at it. She deserves that she takes good care of me. My young horse, Whisky, he just had a tune up and came back from 30 days of training with Diane Williamson. I could not be happier he walked in the gate both days and the first day was an 18.8 and Sunday a 18.067, wow, I was so happy. We ended up winning money, I got 1st in the 4D. My first time really running him fast with speed. I also won the 2nd in the 4D average on my other horse, Pepper, and money too, it was a great weekend with wonderful friends and fast horses. Thank you to all my wonderful sponsors who help make this happen for me it's what I love to do.  ~Love, Amber


July 29-30
Summer Barrrel Bash, Woodland, CA
Me and my horse, Pepper, had two very consistent runs this weekend. I ran 18.7 then an 18.8 she is starting to get her first barrel better. I'm just so proud of her. I did not win the saddle but I definitely tried hard. Pepper takes such good care of me I'm lucky to be able to run a horse like her. The weather was hot again but it still was a super fun race with really good ground. I would like to thank all my sponsors for this wonderful opportunity you have all given me. I also did win a little money in a side pot so that was nice.   ~Love, Amber


July 22 & 23, Summer Lovin' Barrel Race

We spent the weekend at Diamond Bar Arena in Ceres.  It was so hot, but we had good ground and had a great time.  I got to use my new Best Ever pad from Riding Warehouse.  Pepper looked great in it!  On Saturday Pepper had a great run.  She had a good first turn and is starting to show some fire.  We ended up bumping to the 3D was were just of the 4D money.

Sunday we had an even better run.  I went in aggressive and beat my time on Saturday.  I was out of the money again but was pretty happy about my run.  We are going to work hard on our first turn this week and will be at the Summer Barrel Bash in Woodland this weekend.  It is going to be hot again, so I need to make sure me and Pepper drink a lot of water.  

I would like to thank my sponsors:  Classic Barrel Racing, Equine Performance, Cactus Saddlery, Sugarland Horse Park, Triple Crown Arena, Riding Warehouse, Finish Line and Renew Gold.  ~Love Amber


2017 State Fair 

​Me and my pony Shelly rode in the Cal State fair. The temperature was over 100 all weekend. Shelly and I competed in English riding, jumping, and gymkhana on Saturday. Shelly had to look like a fancy show horse. We took first in English Equitation and English Pleasure. The next events were jumping events. I had only jumped Shelly before in gymkhana events and that were only 18” jumps. We were going compete against trained jumpers. We had to compete 3 different event with jumps up to 2’. I was nervous because Shelly had never jumped that high. The moment we cleared the first jump, all my nervousness went away. Jumping is fun and we finished with a first in Equitation over the Fences. After the jumping we did the gymkhana events. Shelly loves to run and this is where we started to kick some show horse butt. Shelly was fantastic and we finished Saturday in first place. Sunday was another hot day Shelly was tired from the day, but after some fresh watermelon, she stated to perk up. Sunday’s events were Showmanship, Western Horsemanship and trail. I could not have been happier with the way Shelly performed. After a long weekend, I made sure to thank everyone for putting on a great show. I was so proud to win first in my division. Shelly works so hard won me another buckle.  ~Love, Amber


July 4th, 2017

Not everything went as planned this weekend with Pepper. But she tried and worked so hard. Dad and me are so proud of your hard work and dedication.  I finished off a rough weekend with some money on Whisky boy.  Good job!  ~Love, Amber


June 2017  - Summer Junior Rodeo Series

After a few days off, I took Pepper back to Sugarland Horse Park the finals of the June Summer Series. Pepper had a great barrel run, we had the fastest time in our division and the second fastest time overall. Shelly, my pony, had another fantastic pole bending run and our goat tying run had me first overall for the day. We ended the series in second place and I won a beautiful tack set from Cactus Saddlery.  ~Love, Amber