https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wnynd-pUvBE
That was a nasty accident. I do wonder if she could have at least worn a helmet or used breakaway western stirrups? Her head went into the panel in the alley, I think. Very lucky she didn’t get dragged.
Hope she recovers okay. That looked nasty.
I don’t think any of that would have changed the outcome. To me she didn’t hit her head as hard as I’ve seen some of them do and chances are she got drug a hair due to the rubber bands. If I remember correctly she bands her feet in, but don’t quote me on that. The issue with this wreck is the trickiness of that alley. With them having to come up into the alley at an angle is always going to be an issue, especially since most of the year they don’t have to worry about such navigation. However, this horse and rider have been in that alley multiple times before and I think this was just pure bad luck. I would not be shocked at all to see her run tonight.
Edit to update: it seems she will be stepping out of rounds 9&10.
I wish they would pad up that corner, it has been a problem before because these horses are rockets ready to launch and they know exactly what’s ahead. Both of the 90 degree corners (right hip and left shoulder, two separate corners) need padding.
Yes that alley design is terrible.
I’ve always wondered why they never tried to refigure it but I guess it’s worked this long, why change it now. And honestly, most of the time they make it through alright. I just think valor was ready to roll and DK needed a millisecond more, and thus the wreck. I’m glad they are both ok though!
I’m to agree with with @Djones , it needs padded or the configuration needs changed. I’m surprised it hadn’t happened sooner. But I’m going to be an asshole and say her alley help was not any help at all.
Unless you’ve been there in person, you don’t see that arena is very small, the alley step up is small. Especially compared to what they run in all year long to get there.
Then going 10 nights in a row and keeping a horse sane under the pressure is tough in that small of a setup.
Sounds like Donna is going to be alright but haven’t read an update for Valor as of yet.
The help was her daughter who is very knowledgeable of what her mother needs. The arena is small but it’s what the pair is used to. Everyone is used to it, and prepares for it when they go home for their tune ups.
These horses are used to the setup, especially Valor, because they’ve done it. I think this was a freak accident that will happen again. I doubt the NFR will change the alley as they care more for the cowBOYS than the girls. And this is well-known. If the women don’t want to deal with it, they move on to the futurities, like Ryan Pedone.
That’s her daughter. Just stop.
Few people competing today have run down that alley more often than Donna. Just STOP.
I doubt they will pad it. But I agree SOMETHING has to change. It’s sad they don’t care about the girls. They campaign for so long and then deal with that? None of the men deal with it. Those are quality horses. Rodeo needs to start realizing barrel horses are about as valuable as racehorses.
I won’t disagree with your first paragraph, as they do prepare but, that’s a lot to ask of a horse. I told you I’d be an asshole and say it.
It’s not Valors first trip obviously, he’s been injured before. I’m not cussing them , I think they are awesome and some don’t understand what it takes to get there. I’ll leave at that.
The cow(boy)vs cow(girl,)?
Other than not adding the breakaway, which I’ll say is BS, where is the difference in treatment?
Yall still going to to the ALL IN at the Orleans and cashing checks?
And never mind if her daughter would have been on the left she could have been crushed. I’m sure they had some words when Valor started to act up to get out of the way.
The ground is a huge issue for these women. Raking in between was a new thing that started in TX when the NFR moved due to the corona virus. That alone speaks volumes of who’s important.
I’ve never run down that alley myself, but knowing someone who did 12 times, changes your thoughts. Knowing what they go through to get to that point, changes a lot.
I’m not afraid to speak my mind on barrel racing, but l know what futurity horses are like, I know what NFR caliber horses are like.
Ground has been shit for the girls runinng barrels won’t disagree, but you chose gender discrimination rather than a management company that’s more worried about ticket sales/contract for the next ten years.
I didn’t choose anything. If it were up to me ground would be first before anything. But this is why many of these women move to futurities. The ground supports the horses and gives the confidence and safety. Saying it relies on me, or anyone else for that matter is a bit dramatic. The venue wants tickets and the venue is tradition. Simple as that.
Now that Teton ridge is in the group chat who knows what’s next.
I’m going to be assholole again. I literally said the ground is the part of the problem. People have been saying it for years.
I’m not saying it shouldn’t change, but if the NFR is your goal for the year, you know it’s shit going into it. Yes/No? You take that chance going?
Just to reiterate, I dont agree with a shit ground setup, you know what you’re dealing with.
But I still would like a safer lead up/alley way setup.
I’m not gunning for anything. I no longer barrel race. And I never competed at this level. I worked for someone who did and rubbed enough elbows.
But yes the ladies know what’s happening, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t trying to change it. Hence the WPRA.
I feel like you enjoy being an asshole for things that are well outside your wheelhouse. And I find that really… weird. Everyone can have their opinions but trying to push someone under your thumb shows quite a lot. You’re going to be alone on this debate from here on out. I can agree on logistics, but the tone is a no-go from me.
Take care.
I know that her daughter was sobbing live on fb about letting her mother down. I don’t give a flip about who is going where next, I care a lot about insulting a woman who is devastated that her mom got hurt.
Good gravy y’all. What on earth.
No worries.
Coming from a cow horse/ cutting background, plus a lot of rejects for the rodeo crowd, it’s just my opinion.
No harm, no foul, enjoyed an intelligent debate! Hope you have a nice evening
Brutal? Clinical? yes. Intelligent? I don’t know.
[Edit] Some of yall have never had to put someone on a life flight helicopter to the hospital in the middle of nowhere with a satellite phone and it shows.
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