Nikki Egyed and Casanova are less than a week away from competing at the Ultimate X Showdown in Ohio and they couldn’t be more excited. Casanova’s barrels are looking stellar and his freestyle is going really well (I can’t say more without getting in trouble.)
If you’re just joining us, the Ultimate X Showdown is a 100 Day Trainer Challenge / Barrel Racing Competition for Off the Track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs). Nikki is one of 15 trainers that were selected from a pool of 47,that will compete in 2 rounds of Barrel Racing for an average, in addition to a 5 minute freestyle.
The main point to this whole thing is to show the world the talent and dependability that off the track horses have as riding horses after their racing career is over. So many of these amazingly talented and patient creatures end up in less than ideal situations after track life. Let’s help to end that together.
So what do you teach a great barrel horse? Well, Nikki Egyed likes to start with an OTTB, turn them into a great and useful riding horse that happens to be great at barrels too. Here’s 20 tips:
1) To put on the ‘smell good.’
2) To let loose.
3) To love people.
4) To go western.
5) To be handsome.
6) To be more handsome.
7) To fit in.
8) To turn.
9) To turn faster.
10) To do more than one thing.
11) To love kids.
12) To enjoy the scenery.
13) To be sweet.
14) To heal.
15) To be part of the team.
16) To turn other stuff fast.
17) To be patriotic.
18) To be fierce.
19) To travel like a boss.
20) To be thankful.
Nikki and Casanova would like to thank their sponsors:
Well-Horse for being a huge sponsor of Nikki’s trip East, Casanova’s wellness, and treating all of the horses in Nikki’s barn
Riding Warehouse for protecting Casanova’s legs by providing us with these awesome (and super flattering) red Classic Equine Legacy boots.
Silver Star Creek Custom for the unique tack set that matches perfectly, helping him stand out in the crowd!
Reinsman Equestrian for the Sharon Camarillo pad!
Richardson Farrier Service for turning around those “racehorse feet” in record time.
The Tack Room, Boot Barn, Tractor Supply, and Whitehorse Tack for helping to provide Nikki and Casanova with some of the best products around.
And especially her dear friends and fans who’ve come together to help along the journey. She says she couldn’t have done it without you!
I have three rescue OTTB’s and they are so kind, gentle, smart, and amazing!