![\"FHFNoholdsbarred\"](\"http:\/\/www.rodeoclassifieds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/FHFNoholdsbarred.jpg\")
<\/a>\nNick’s registered name is FHF No Holds Barred<\/span><\/p>\n
He is 10 years old.<\/span><\/p>\n -How long have you been running barrels on him?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n His first rodeo season was 2010, but I have been riding him since January 2009 when I purchased him.<\/span><\/p>\n -What is the training background on this horse?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Jesse Childs had started him on barrels and then was just using him as a pony horse on the race track.\u00a0 I was at the Heritage Sale looking for prospects and Jesse asked if I was looking for a barrel horse.\u00a0 I got his number and went out to look at some colts.\u00a0 I happened to ask about the sorrel gelding in the pen and he said he was his pony horse, but he was a Dr. Nick Bar and I could take him for a ride if I wanted.\u00a0 I rode him and knew he was special and I had to have him. \u00a0 I did a lot of slow work with Nick for the first year and slowly added speed after.\u00a0 Rusty Quam gave me some tips and advice and I started taking him to rodeos in June 2010 when my other horse got hurt.\u00a0 I try to keep things very simple and consistent so my horses have the confidence to know where to go all of the time.<\/span><\/p>\n – How would you describe this horses running style?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n He is a super honest type of horse.\u00a0 He isn’t particularly ratey or free, but somewhere in between.\u00a0 He is consistent and really likes to please.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n That’s a tough question because I just love everything about him!\u00a0 I like that he has a funny personality. He has a lot of expression and likes to try to do mischievous things, such as untie himself.\u00a0 I also really like the way\u00a0 he moves.\u00a0 He is so smooth and naturally collected.<\/span><\/p>\n – Which was your favorite run of the weekend and why?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Elbow was my favorite run of the weekend because he worked really well.\u00a0 He was ready to run and ran in there really hard.\u00a0 I am really proud of how confident Nick has gotten over the last couple years.\u00a0 He knows his job and loves it.\u00a0 I had won Elbow in 2009 on my mare Biscuit.\u00a0 She got hurt and it’s hard to find another special horse.\u00a0 So I am really grateful to have Nick and that he also won Elbow was pretty neat! My family was there to cheer us on too!<\/span><\/p>\n -How do you prepare for your runs (warm up etc.)? \u00a0Does this change having to make more than one run in a weekend? Do you change it for different arenas?<\/p>\n I have a routine that\u00a0 I like to follow. I walk quite a bit, long trot and lope in straight lines and circles.\u00a0 I do some bending and counter arcing, as well as some stops and roll backs to make sure he is light and listening.\u00a0 I like to lope large to small circles with one hand making sure I can move him in and out of the circle easily with a slight move of my inside hand.\u00a0 If the run is at a small indoor arena for example, I won’t stop him as much and do more straight lines.\u00a0 If it’s a large outdoor arena with hard ground I will make sure he is slowing down when I sit down in my saddle.\u00a0<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n -What kind of saddle do you use?<\/p>\n I love my old Marlene McRae by Circle Y.\u00a0 It fits Nick well.<\/span><\/p>\n -What kind of pad do you use?<\/p>\n I have a Back on Track pad that goes under my Wade pad.<\/span><\/p>\n -What kind of bit do you use?<\/p>\n I use an Ed Wright pretzel on Nick when I run him because it keeps him more square in his turns and I can get him to finish his turns straight without him getting over-bendy.\u00a0 He is really light in the mouth so I have to be light with my hands.\u00a0 I ride him in a Dave Elliott bit at home.\u00a0<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n My goal for 2013 is to make the CCA finals.<\/span><\/p>\n -If you were to share a barrel racing tip what would it be?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n To try your best to stay positive.\u00a0 Rodeo and barrel racing can be incredibly humbling, so try to think of the positives.\u00a0 I also try to get inside my horses head and pay attention to the little details.\u00a0 I also think about always trying to get better and learn more.<\/span><\/p>\n Katie would like to thank the following people:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n I would like to thank my family; Mom, Dad, Will, Trent and Shayla for the support and encouragement.\u00a0 I have had some amazing travel partners this year including Shelby Noval, Jodie Griffin and Bailee Switzer.\u00a0 They keep the miles fun!\u00a0 I would also have to thank Dr. Kirby Finkbeiner and Dr. Tracy Pedersen for answering all of my questions!<\/span><\/p>\n Here is Katie and Nick winning Moosomin, SK early in July<\/p>\n