Confidence Built Under Pressure

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, and café tables. An in-house Yorkville Christian FFA concession stand kept everyone fed. Even the restrooms were clean. That matters.

The footing was compost and dirt from Spirit Farms’ Compost Supply operation. Quick. Sticky. Consistent.

Digital timers were sharp and fairly accurate. Laser pole markers. A creative steer valley built through a semi container and announcer stand.

It was unique. Youth-focused. Supportive.

Our only facility critique was the narrow path from the main arena to the track arena, and the dust got heavy at times. Other than that, producers ran the weekend smooth and timely.

Three rodeos in one weekend. And we still squeezed in a late lunch in Morris at McBride's. Worth it.

The Horses. The Kids. The Growth.

We hauled Popcorn, Gemma, Dixie, and Maverick. The trailer was beyond full.

Mirren and Maverick

We missed the entry deadline for Mirren to compete, but she joined us anyway.

She put hours on Maverick.

Exposure miles.

Shiny tractors.

Loud mooing roping calves.

Spooky environments.

They handled it like pros. That is growth you cannot measure on a timer.

She was there. She was present. She was supportive. A teammate with characteristics you only wish more teams had.

We're excited for the future of this duo!

Bonnie and Dixie

Six years old. Ex-glue stick mare. Literally. Still gritty.

By rodeo three, Bonnie ran her second career 19-second barrel time. She sat top three and four all weekend in barrels and poles.

She rides with grit beyond her years. We're so proud of that little fire cracker.

Ella and Popcorn

First rodeo back for the season.

Saturday morning was technical runs. A clean pole pattern. Clean barrels. That matters after the rut we hit late last season.

Her final barrel run Sunday was a 15.4. She dropped the first barrel, but that was her fastest personal record.

The speed is there.

Now we polish.

Now we condition.

Vacation bodies are over.

Top athletic fitness starts now.

She also punched her ticket to Nationals in trail. And thanks to an unexpected Wisconsin partner, Mac, she stacked points fast in Ribbon Roping- First in Rodeo One. Second in Rodeo Two. Missed the loop in Rodeo Three. Two more qualifiers to go for Nationals. Her partner Ainsley was missed but will be counted on in the upcoming months!

Watchout draw sheets - these two are going to light them on fire!

Loretta and Gemma

This one hits deep.

Two years of confidence battles. Multiple horses. A dump last season. Fear has been loud.

By rodeo three, she loped her barrel pattern with a 28 second pattern - one second faster than Rodeo 2!

You could find her hot lapping the warm-up pen. Smiling. Focused. Brave.

She earned not one, but two qualifying runs this weekend. That is not about speed. That is about courage.

We are proud of her.

What This Weekend Meant

This was not only about placings.

It was about:

• New arenas.

• New associations.

• Exposure miles.

• Clean patterns.

• Personal records.

• Confidence restored.

• Tickets punched.

• Team meals.

• Full trailers.

• Big dreams.

We are grateful for facilities like Mustang Arena and organizations like Illinois Little Britches that pour into youth rodeo.

We are EXTREMELY grateful for the parents behind our DRE students - without them, these girls' dreams couldn't be possible. Their amazing support system is crucial to their success!

Next stop: Central Indiana Little Britches the first weekend of March.

Hopefully with the full DRE barn team.

We are building horsemen.

We are building athletes.

We are building resilient kids.

And this weekend proved we are on the right path.