Pro Rodeo after High School

It's all I've ever wanted to be in the horse business. That's why I went to my trainer, because she offered my an apprenticeship and work in exchange for a paycheck and boarding/training of one horse. I find that I'm strong in dealing with the business and training/lesson giving aspect, but not as much with the breeding in the sense that I'm no good with foaling mares and their pregnancy terms, but I'm getting better. I'm good with baby horses too, with putting ground work foundation on them. I've not had a lot of experience with training the first 30 days, I'm normally the one to put a first couple rides on (Trainer says "That's why we have teenagers!) and then hand them over to her and excersize the older horses, then thirty days later they come back to me.

There's obviously holes in my experience but I think that after the remainder of my time at the barn I will be able to go out a little more independently; I'd like to stay close to my trainer for as long as possible, because her experience is way too valuable to let go. But I know eventually, if this does go as planned, I will have to move up north farther because where I live there isn't as many rodeos and hauling would be very costly.

I've considered looking for a college rodeo team, but there isn't really an opportunity for that in Oregon....I think there's one team, I may look into that, but if that school doesn't have what I need would it be feasable to go out of state? If I was going anyhere it would probably be to Montana, because I have friends and family there I could potentially rodeo with.

Absolutely apply out of state, and don't rely on relatives being nearby. If you want to do PRCA/WPRA sanctioned events, then you need to get used to going out of state, as well as being on your own a lot, with long hours on the road. Research the schools so that you can find one (or several) with good teams and good academic programs, so that you get the best of both worlds.

I am "on the fence" with this. I firmly believe not everyone is cut out for college. And not everyone is cut out for it right out of high school. Some need to live a little first and lster appreciate what a degree can mean.

I was one who had to live a while first. I always wanted college but had no way (in my mind coming from a family who never even graduated high school) to make it a reality. Best thing I ever did was join the Air Force right out of high school. Plan was to do that to get college money. I couldnt do that with my deployments but man I grew up, traveled, and learned. Did it all backwards by staying in, getting married, had kids. And 12 wonderful yrs later got out of the AF and decided it was time for college. And by then gladly went to school and got an RN degree doing what I love. That would not have happened right out of high school.

But...as a mom...I want my boys to go to college first and not struggle. Hind sight is 20/20 right? Our oldest, my step son went to college right out of the gate with a full ride. Major smart kid. And flunked out his first yr cause it wasnt what he wanted then. A couple yrs later after doing his thing our guy has come around and it is what HE wants now. We will help him now when we wouldnt when he failed the first time. He had to make the choice. He has so it wont be money down the drain this time.

You are young. If you are serious and passionate do it. But give yourself limits and timelines to keep it realistic. And ALWAYS keep in yoir mind college amd if this doesnt work what you could be happy doing afterwards. Do it so there are no regrets. But don't live your life where it is this or nothing.
Posted via Mobile Device

As you can see in my signature "results may vary" take that into consideration for what I tell you sort a. If you have done rodeo for a while and it is something you want to do and go through 100% do it! I ridge English so I don't know what rodeo is like, but if you are good and all that you can I am sure make good money doing pro rodeo. College is not for everyone, and there are many careers out there you don't need to go to college for. So good luck.

Bubbles has a very good point. Out of high school I had no idea what I wanted to do and with my parents footing the bill taking a year off wasn't an option, so I went into business. After I earned the 2 year diploma I took a couple of years off thinking I'd make things work in the horse industry, but sure enough I'm going back with the intent to finish the degree. It's a major you can't go wrong with IMO, you get skills that are applicable to any industry/field you can imagine (including horses! Many jobs in the industry involve being self employed and a business background is extremely valuable), and often you can land a job that will pay for more specialized education later. For instance once I'm done school I want to be involved with wildlife population management; usually dominated by those with biology degrees, but with my coursework in statistics and market research (along with relevant biology electives) I'll have something marketable to get into the field. It really can be tailored to anything, and stands out more than a general arts degree.

There's no reason why you can't do both, depending on your situation. I know a lot of people who showed their horses, trained or taught riding lessons while working on their degrees.

I'd totally agree with do both & if you can't, get school out of the way. Having a degree is always a smart back up plan. If horses shouldn't work out for some reason you have something to fall back on.

I did both. I went to school full time and showed all summer. I considered taking a year or two off but I'm glad now I didn't, if I had I doubt I'd have went back. At that age my parents footed the horse bills and if I didn't go to school, my horses had to go so it was an easy choice for me.

Ultimately you have to do what's right for you. Whatever you decide go into it after really weighing it all out.

All that stuff you can learn in college as well. I know I keep mentioning my school but I know there are other Equine schools out there as well. But with the things you mentioned, CSU has a colt starting program (where they actually give you a consignment horse from awesome ranches (The Four Sixes Ranch 6666 is one among the many) that they then auction off later, a rodeo team, reproduction classes that include everything from AI to foaling out mares (which our school is top in the nation for), and lots of other equine related classes.

I personally am also going for a business minor. And like one of the previous people said, you'll be missing out on a lot of great opportunities and experiences in college. It really is a great experience. Things like study abroad, a breeds trip where you can travel the country visiting various thoroughbred, quarter horse, Tennessee walker farms to see how they work and ride the horses, clubs and such. I was lucky enough to get onto our schools Equine Neonatal Foal Care Team this year. I get to care for foals that come into ICU at our vet hospital this upcoming foaling season. An experience I would have never been able to do had I not gone to college.

Good luck!