Things are starting to thaw

Welcome to the second edition of The Arena Feed!

Please note the in order to see all the content on the web version you must login by providing your email. It is free.

In this issue:
➡From The Arena Floor: Carlene Reimer takes the Spring Thaw Win!*
➡Training Tips with Kelley Drake*
➡Upcoming Events & Deadlines*
➡Featured horse
➡Road Apples - tidbits from around the web*
➡Featured Ranch
➡Mindset Minute with Michelle*
*if you are viewing on the web without subscribing, you won’t see the whole newsletter. You must subscribe to view all content.

From The Arena Floor

March 21st - 23rd brought the Cinch Spring Thaw Timed Event Challenge to Ponoka, Alberta. The barrel racing was run in a 4D format and we saw Carman, Manitoba’s Carlene Reimer and Turn Quick On Red win the 1D first open go and the finale with a 17.052 and 17.177 respectively. The pattern was a standard set. I was able to catch up with Carlene and learn more about her and her horse “Riot”. Here’s what she had to say:

Tell us about your horse. His background, how long you've had him, who has done the training. Age and anything else you'd like to share.

I’ve had Riot since he was a yearling, I picked him up from Jacqueline Rooks program JR Performance Horses in Elkhorn Manitoba. He’s from her late stud Mr Red Rock Leo Bar and out of Moons Little Gal. I had him started as a two-year-old at at Freddie McKerchar and Molly Kelleher’s with intentions of bringing him into his futurity year but I ended up having my 3rd baby that summer instead and sent him to Julie Spruyt for a couple months. He got out to a couple races with her then came back home to chill till a couple fall races.

Tell us about yourself. What do you do when you're not riding and barrel racing? Where are you from, how long have you been barrel racing for? Family etc.

I’m from Carman Manitoba! I have my amazingly ridiculously supportive husband, Jordan Reimer and 3 kids 1 boy 2 girls.. (Stetson 6 Oaklynn 3 and Sage 1.5) ,and I have a hair salon on our property just out of town so I’m a hairstylist by trade. I would like to move towards taking on client horses at some point here and going more so that direction. I used to do the little gymkhana’s here and there when I was in 4-H as a kid and I am got an actual competitive barrel horse I believe when I was 21 (Barbra Jean). Of course, you only know what you know and I realize now how forgiving of a mare she was as I was learning how to actually jockey a barrel horse and had to learn on the way. If I’ve been gone for the weekend racing somewhere, I like to give the horses the next day off at home to just kick out the pasture and let them be a horse. I run a barrel series called Denim & Dust here in Carman on Tuesdays in July and August so if I’m not busy riding, I’m busy doing some type of Horse thing haha. My three-year-old daughter Oaklynn has taken quite a shine to the Barrel Racing life already and is excited to get out with her pony Snowball this summer and start her own Barrel racing season. I’d rather kids enjoy coming to the barrel races with us as it’s like a camping weekend for them and you make so many connections with other brawl racers and their kids but it’s just a fun weekend for the whole family. My husband doesn’t come from any type of horse background or even a farm background, but he has taken this venture head on and has not regretted any of it. He’s quite the horseman himself, especially for not having a background in it. It honestly blows me away! I have just about every single person who knows Jordan and sees his dedication to this Barrel racing life say how fortunate and lucky I am and they’ve never seen such a strong supportive husband before and I know without a doubt they are darn right. God and him truly hold our family together threw the craziness!

How did you feel about your first run at the Spring Thaw? And how about your second run? How was the whole experience there at the event?

So our first run was on Friday for the barrels for buckles and he went to town and used his body so well around all the barrels clocking a 17.0 on a standard. I was so thrilled and it was so smooth with straight lines. One of my goals is to be a quiet jockey whenever I can be and I feel I was able to do that and let him do his job there. I was just so thrilled with him! He’s not a super big horse but that guy has a stride that will cover ground and a work ethic! It was a great experience, there was a fellow named Trevor, who was super great to get a hold of to ask questions and a little girl Naomi, who is helping to make sure everyone was situated with plug-ins and box stalls. Smiling faces like that always make a great welcoming experience.

Have you been riding all winter? And what has been your horse's fitness program leading up to this spring race?

I like to give the horses a couple months off to just be horses chill and try to make it through another Manitoba winter. I had some goals to all of a sudden join the WPRA cause I had a friend tell me she was doing it so I figured; why not me too then! But we were still super icy and in -40 weather here the next few weeks so I sent him to a friend (Clarissa Neufeld) to start legging him up for me and her indoor arena. She had him for 3 weeks then I was able to bring him home and work with him for another couple weeks before the first pro rodeo. Riot gets worked six days a week usually if we’re not hauling somewhere.

What are your barrel racing plans for the 2025 season. I saw you placed at Valley City, ND pro rodeo. Do you have plans to pro rodeo this season?

We have some big slot races that we are planning on heading back to this year out in Alberta and Saskatchewan and a few in Manitoba. We are pretty much booked every weekend for the spring/summer months here. Yes, we placed 3rd at our first pro rodeo this season down in the states and we are going to be off to Fargo this weekend and Minot next weekend as well. We’re going to try to hit some pro rodeos here in Canada and head out to the Calgary qualifiers as well! This whole pro thing is so new to me and also intimidating so I know I need to have my A game on at all times if I’m going to compete at that level.

Would you share your tack and feed list that keeps your horse running at top speed and health? Saddle, pad, bit, shoes or no shoes? Feed & supplements etc. Inquiring minds want to know what helps you run a 17.0!

Love me my five star saddle pads. I currently run in a Burns saddle. At home here, I have two different Elliot bits that I’ll work him in depending on what we are working on. The bit I actually ran him in was a Dean Hoover bit that I won at a slot race last year. It’s got a little bit more gag to it and gives me a little bit more grace in case I get a little bit to handy lol I know a lot of people will ‘bit up’ for when they go to make a run, but I actually do the opposite with Riot. I feel that it actually forces me not to rely on the bit, but to actually rely on my body and how you use my body with him versus my hands. I know that doesn’t work with every horse though. So this typically BLOWS peoples mind, but I run him barefoot! I had a few people comment on him not having shoes on last year when I headed out to Alberta for the first time but he won 2nd at Breeders Elite Incentive and top 5 in the Derby Sweepstakes so I think he likes it that way lol I’m very picky about feet and I have this really awesome farrier Patrick Cleaver who’s been absolutely wonderful! He’s a pretty lean boy so he gets Step 8 high fat Buckeye Grow N Win & Performance 40 Beet pulp & alfalfa pellets
Supplements… He gets Technavet Galozyme probiotic made right here in Manitoba and also their awesome re-zorb electrolytes! Honestly, if the horse could talk and he wanted something else as well I’d get it for him cause he’s a worth it lol

As a final question, do you have anyone you'd like to thank?

First and foremost, I thank God for the opportunities that He has placed before me I never would have dreamed of doing with I am today without Him and I will try my hardest to be a good steward of what he continues to bless me with. My husband Jordan is my MVP if you haven’t guessed from this interview yet. lol There are so many people that play a role in my success when it comes down to childcare like my Mom, Dad and in-laws so I can get my horses worked or just to words of encouragement and prayers for safety. I also have this really cool friend Amy Vanderveen who will drop anything she can to come watch me, cheer loud and take some stellar photos! There’s truly too many people to thank but you know who you are.

Training Tip with Kelley Drake

Dear Kelley,
How do you know when a horse in training is ready to be asked for more speed and what tells you it’s time to back off?

I start adding speed to horses when I feel like they are “broke” that they can lope the pattern with ease and one hand confidently. During the process of adding speed, at any time they start to fall apart I will back off the speed and take them back to the basics and slow things down and re build their confidence. It is our job to make sure a horse is confident with speed so we have to prepare them for that. Once a horse is solid on the pattern I will often take them out to the field and sprint them and teach them how to run with me on their back and not get scared. I’ll teach them to run then come back to me. Once they can do that without getting worried and stay relaxed then I know I can input that into the pattern and add that speed.
~ Kelley Drake

Upcoming Events:

If you want YOUR event listed free, please reply to this email or use the “hot tips” form on the website. Everyone is welcome to help me out and submit events ;)

*****
Rocking W Barrel Productions - Rick Wiebe Memorial Weekend has announced their dates as June 14-16. The event will be held at the ranch near Morden, MB. More info HERE

****

Laciee Shock reminded The Runaway slot owners their payments are soon due in this POST that provides a link to the spreadsheet where you can check your status (and see who owns a spot if you’re looking for one).

*****
There was a barrels and rough stock winter series that ran over the winter in Oyen, AB. You can see the final points and results for the barrels HERE

*****

Grace & Grit Futurity and Derby are having a $1000 gift card draw. You can buy tickets here The event itself is held at Saskatoon, SK June 5-8.

*****

Don’t Give A Buck Barrel Race and Roping is slated for May 17-19 in Virden, MB. The event kicks off with a wedding fundraiser jackpot for Janet and Ory, on the 18th, the 7th annual Don’t Give A Buck Barrel Racing $2500 WF approved JP in the 18th, concluding with a fundraiser team roping.

*****

Supernova Productions $10,000 cash raffle still have some tickets available $7000 for first prize, there are 5 prizes, tickets are $40. More info here. 
Entries are listed as open for the $50,000 Shakedown Oct 3-5, 2025 in Calgary. The Big Bang, Aug 5-10 in Wetaskiwin, AB also has entries open.

*****

Royal Crown Canada is back to Claresholm. Alberta 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟲-𝟭𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 With $𝟐𝟎𝟕,𝟓𝟎𝟎 added over the 6 days. Enter before April 18th to avoid late fees. They run an open race as well as the signature events for Royal Crown Stallion eligible offspring.

*****

The entry deadline for The Yellow Rose Futurity and Derby held May 2nd - 4th at Claresholm, AB is fast approaching. April 1st is the first payment deadline for Futurity and Derby entries. May 3rd Open jackpot entries are also open and close April 30th.

Presented by: Rodeoclassifieds.com

Luna Sioux Darling (Tally) 2012 chestnut 15.2 HH. She is an honest, loves to work, and easy to get along with mare. She would be a great experienced youth or open mare. Makes the same run every time. Runs left or right. She is a 2D/3D horse at smaller races and a 3D at bigger shows. Loves indoor pens. Full ad here

🍎Road Apples - tidbits from around the web

🍎Have you seen the results from a CT Scan or MRI? Check out the imagery from a clinic out of Sweden HERE. They show a broken pelvis that is pretty graphic.

🍎 Things were blazing fast at the first Canadian pro rodeo of the year in Rimbey, Alberta. A four way tie for first place and eleventh place being only 1/10th off the fast time! First place was split by Shelby Spielman, Lynette Brodoway, Lisa Warfield and Janet Moen all running a 14. 82.

🍎After surveying their breeders, The Breeders Elite were excited to announce this week that their derby will now allow 8 year old horses to run in it (rather than the traditional 7 year old cap). See more HERE
 
🍎Brazilian Horse Trainer shares whether or not he uses lasix HERE

🍎Not a Canadian Event, but a good one to follow, The Road To The Horse starts this Thursday. Here’s a link on how to watch.

🍎Not sure how tight to make your back cinch? Here’s a perspective to consider. 

🍎 Love a satisfying hoof abscess video? Here’s one for you. 

Featured Ranch

Mindset Minute with Michelle Davey

Trying harder is not often the answer or solution to any perceived shortcoming.    More often than not, it ends up creating a "harder" energy that results in ramming and jamming, frustration and resistance from your body and being. This energy and frequency transfers into your horse resulting in tension and resistance.  

Try smarter,  try with more ease,  try with kindness, try differently, try from a step back, try with more consistency.   Keep trying, but don't make your trying hard, that just makes all the things more hard.

If you liked this issue, please share with your friends! If you tolerated it and have ideas to make it better, please tell me! You can reply to the email anytime and I’m all ears/eyes and I’m looking forward to making each edition worth your 5 minute read.
I’ll never hold you or your email hostage so you can always find the unsubscribe button anytime you wish.

If you’re reading this because a friend forwarded it to you, click here to subscribe, we send out a new e-newsletter each week.

Interested in advertising or supporting The Arena Feed? Email Michelle - [email protected]