![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.rodeoclassifieds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/MelissandDigby.jpg\" "\\"Melissa")
<\/a>Melissa Harding and Digby<\/p><\/div>\n
-What is the name of your horse?\u00a0 IM NO DAINTY CHIC aka Digby<\/span> Here’s a video of Melissa and Digby running barrels.\u00a0 Although it’s not from Humboldt we get to see their style, good run!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\n-How old is he?\u00a0 He is 8 years old<\/span>
\n-How long have you been running barrels on him?\u00a0 I got him as a coming 5 year old and hauled him with the other derby horses I had, but he didn’t start running until he was 6.<\/span>
\n-What is it you like best about Digby?\u00a0 There are so many things I like about him!\u00a0 He is such an arrogant bugger with a horrible attitude.\u00a0 He hates everyone including himself most days, but mostly he is tough and gritty and won’t back down easy.<\/span>
\n-What kind of saddle do you use on him?\u00a0 I ride him with a Black rhino saddle because it was the only one I could find to fit him.<\/span>
\n-What kind of pad do you use?\u00a0 Right now I am using a CSI pad, I switch them out lots though.<\/span>
\n-What kind of bit do you\u00a0use in him?\u00a0 I have a few that I like.\u00a0 Mostly I run him in a Mike Beers 595, but every now and then he will get a little strong on me so I will use a polo bit.\u00a0 I work him at home in several different training bits.<\/span>
\n-Are there any special shoes you use? What kind?\u00a0 I have a break over shoe.\u00a0 He is a really flat mover (or maybe more so a little bit lazy).\u00a0 I use world racing plates or speed toes on the front and rims on the hind. <\/span>
\n-Is there any special feed you give him?\u00a0 Hay, and a mix of oats, sweetfeed and complete feed.\u00a0 He’s a hard horse to have around sometimes.\u00a0 He has a few small issues which would be no big deal except he can’t accept most “medicines”.\u00a0 Due to this he is on a variety of herbal concoctions made up by a friend I call “the witch”.\u00a0 The last two summers have been hard because he kept getting sick but we finally figured him out and now he is healthy again.\u00a0 This will be the first summer I have been able to use him since we bought him.\u00a0 His diet is very high maintenance!<\/span>
\n-What lead you to be a barrel racer?\u00a0 Not sure really, I grew up running gymkhana then a friend got me straightened out on what\u00a0barrels is really about.\u00a0 I then started going to some jackpots.\u00a0 I haven’t really been a rodeo competitor until this year, I dabbled in futurities and derbies since I have so many young horses and it’s hard to crack them out into rodeos. <\/span>
\n-Can you tell us about your training and riding style?\u00a0 There are few ladies that I admire because they ride so “quiet” and I try to do that!\u00a0 When I run I try\u00a0and stay relaxed and let the horse do his job.\u00a0 As for training, I try to just be patient and let them develop at their own speed. <\/span>
\n-If you were to share a training\/rodeo tip what would it be?\u00a0 Be patient and listen to your horse, chances are if he isn’t working he’s trying to tell you something.<\/span>
\n-What, if anything, have horses taught you about life outside the arena?\u00a0 To pick your battles and have patience.\u00a0 Work will pay off although sometimes you just\u00a0don’t know when.<\/span><\/p>\n