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Central Indiana Youth Rodeo Association | Hoosier Horse Park, Edinburgh, Indiana Some days we joke that Central is cursed for us. Then we laugh and remind ourselves. Maybe it is not cursed. Maybe it is just a place that keeps us humble. This weekend we hauled to the Central Indiana Youth Rodeo Association rodeo at Hoosier Horse Park in Edinburgh, Indiana. All three of our teenagers and the Widick twins competed. It was one of those weekends where people rotated in and out. El

This weekend, we stepped into a new association, the Illinois Little Britches Association , hosted at Mustang Arena at Spirit Farms  in Sheridan. And we were impressed. The facility is farming-beautiful. Clean lines. Functional. Thought out for youth rodeo. The arena is fully indoors and heated, which felt like a gift in these cold temperatures. Stalls were basic 10x10 tube gates on limestone. Simple and practical. The loft held spectators, toys for the littles, bleachers,

Anyone can teach a rider where to put their hands or heels. Not everyone teaches them why. At the barn, we stop rides to talk. We slow things down. We ask questions. We explain what the horse is feeling, not just what the rider is doing. Because memorizing instructions creates followers. Understanding mechanics creates horsemen. When a rider knows why a half-halt works, they do not panic when a horse gets heavy. When they understand how balance affects movement , they st

Last night marked a proud moment. Mirren was presented with her Molly's Custom Silver 100 Hour buckle , a goal she officially reached in late fall of 2025. That buckle represents real time in the saddle. Consistency. Focus. Effort stacked day by day. Along with the buckle, we added Mirren’s name to the 100 Hour banner . That banner is not decoration. It tells a story. Every name on it reflects commitment, growth, and a willingness to do the work even when it is uncomfortable.

Winter has arrived in full force . Negative temperatures, deep snow, and unsafe footing have forced lesson cancellations and a slower pace around the barn. While the break is necessary, it is never easy when routines revolve around horses, movement, and time together in the arena. We officially wrapped up No-Stirrup November , and the progress across our riders has been impressive. Deeper seats, better balance, quieter legs, and stronger body awareness showed up in every le

The last two weekends were packed. Our riders competed at both MYRA and the Central Indiana Junior Rodeo Association. Every rider showed progress. Every horse stepped up. Mirren earned her second Nationals qualifying run in poles. She also pushed her barrel times forward with more control and faster decisions in the turns. Bonnie punched her Nationals ticket in poles. She stayed steady under pressure and kept her patterns clean. Brooklyn rode clean and confident. Her barre

What a weekend. Saturday was packed with wins, lessons, and a lot of laughter. Ella came out strong—2nd out of 41 in barrels and placing in poles and trail too. Mirren had solid, consistent runs and earned her second qualifying pole run for Nationals , showing real progress all the way through. Loretta kept her focus with clean, confident patterns. Bonnie won her division in barrels Saturday , and Ainsley wrapped up the night with 2nd in the breakaway jackpot. Sunday brought

Our indoor arena offers shelter from wind but no heat, so dressing correctly is key. Layering Tips Base Layer:  Fitted thermal or long-sleeve shirt. Mid Layer:  Fleece or sweatshirt. Outer Layer:  Warm but fitted jacket that doesn’t restrict movement or catch on tack. Vests:  A vest is one of the best winter riding layers. It keeps your core warm while freeing your shoulders for better movement. Bottoms:  Leggings or thermals under jeans or insulated riding pants. Feet:  Thic

There’s no better way to sharpen a rider’s feel than taking away their stirrups . No Stirrup November pushes every student — and every muscle — to get honest about balance, alignment, and awareness. Wednesday night’s lesson  said it all. The western saddles were traded out for English saddles with the irons removed, and the girls went to work. The before photos  show the usual starting points — uneven legs, space between the rider’s calf and the horse’s barrel, toes turned

We are thrilled to welcome Mirren  to the barn! She’s an aspiring hunter-jumper who’s making the exciting switch to barrel racing and...

Barrel Dreams Start Young at Dale Rosa Equine This past weekend at the Indiana Junior Rodeo Association (IJRA) , Dale Rosa Equine’s...

A Big Day at the IJRA Barrel Racing Clinic with Sherrylynn Johnson On April 17, 2025, the Indiana Junior Rodeo Association  hosted an...

Two Shows. Two Sets of Standout Results. One Inspiring Cowgirl. We’re celebrating a major accomplishment for Dale Rosa Equine student...