My name is Owen Welter and I am 11 years old. I live in Williston, Fla., and have to maintain good grades and try to stay on the honor roll so that I can continue to compete in horses and soccer. My horse’s name is Colonel Tuff Dawson (“Dunny”). He came from Nate and Shannon Vickers of NVS stables (my aunt and uncle). My uncle Nate used him as a roping horse and he knew Dunny would be a great kid’s horse for me.
Barrel Racing Beginnings
I first started taking Dunny on trail rides with my mom, aunt, uncle, and brother. I was a little nervous, but then I conquered my fears and was able to trot and lope on him.
I grew up cheering my mom on at barrel races. When I started riding, I already knew how to help with the horses by brushing, cleaning stalls, and washing them.
We always had barrels set up in the field, so one day I just decided to take Dunny around the pattern. My mom helped me learn how to turn in the right spots and helped me build confidence on Dunny’s back. She even has me ride bareback to help with my balance sometimes.
We ride together about three times a week to try to keep Dunny in shape. If I don’t have time to ride, I will longe him in the round pen, because the rule is if he isn’t fit, we don’t run.
Competition
In January 2022, I did my first competition in the Pee Wee division at the Jacksonville Equestrian Complex. Dunny and I did great. I won my first trophy and it was really fun, but I almost fell off because it was my first time loping the pattern (my mom didn’t tell me to go that fast). At one point I slid to one side, but Dunny jumped back under me and saved me from falling off.
After my first run, I felt confident that Dunny and I could do anything. We started going to shows near the house. We won tons of ribbons in barrel racing, pole bending, Texas barrels, and our favorite, the arena race (because Dunny is really fast).
I won my first belt buckle at the Countin on Merci Ranch speed show, where I won high point in the peewee division. I liked that show because there were a few other boys riding too. There usually aren’t very many boys at the barrel races in the youth divisions, but the girls are pretty nice and we cheer for each other at the races.
Rodeo Goals
After I started competing, I wanted to try out youth rodeos with Dunny. I went to a clinic near the house to learn how to goat tie. Dunny wasn’t scared of the goats. I won 2nd in the boys division in goat tying for the series. I liked it a lot, but I had other goals to accomplish for the next year.
In January 2023, I joined the National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) in Florida. My goal was to qualify for NBHA Youth World Championship show and finish in the top 5 of our yearly youth division. When the year-end points came out, and I had secured qualification for the 2024 NBHA Youth World!
Challenges
My most challenging show was the Florida NBHA state show. It was my first overnight show with Dunny. I have been to a lot of them with my mom, but this year we took Dunny.
I was in charge of taking care of him myself for the four days we were there. I had to clean his stall, feed and water him, hand-walk him, ride and wash him every day.
Saturday was the youth state class. A big storm rolled in right before my run. I was very nervous. I wasn’t ready for the rain. I was in the back catch pen with my mom, and she had to hold my horse. We got in the alleyway, and Dunny took off for the first barrel. He went around it fast and tight. He was flying, but I couldn’t get him pulled over to the correct side of the second barrel, and we broke the pattern. I was pretty sad when I came out because I wanted to do so well, but sometimes things don’t always work out. After my run, I walked Dunny to the trailer and gave him a treat and told him we will get ‘em next year.
In the future, I would like to come 1st in the youth NBHA division. I also thought about asking my uncle Nate to teach me how to rope. I think it would be fun. But whatever I do, I look forward to doing it with my best friend Dunny.
This article about Owen Welter appeared in the March/April 2024 issue of Young Rider magazine—and Owen was on the cover. Click here to subscribe!
