by Tootie Trouy
Horsemanship and Consistency. When asked what concepts she preaches, 6-time NFR qualifier Vana Beissinger Doolittle promptly answered, “Horsemanship and consistency.” She further explained how horsemanship is the foundation for any discipline; for a horse to work well in the barrel pen, he must first work correctly outside the arena. Simply stated, Vana specializes in building strong, confident riders and respectful, willing horses.
A professional barrel racer since age 19, Vana’s accomplishments include Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Fastest Time, Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Champion, Women’s Professional Rodeo Association Rookie of the Year, 2X Women’s Professional Rodeo Association Southeastern Circuit Champion, 2X Calgary Stampede Champion, and Reno, NV Champion. Now the co-owner with her husband of Cross Creek Rodeo Ranch in Edgefield, South Carolina, Vana is focused on training the next generation of barrel racers. She travels around the country offering barrel racing clinics emphasizing performance preparation, advanced fundamentals of riding during a race, body position for better communication, proper riding skills in the practice arena and ultimately, helping take each rider to their next level of competition. On March 15-17, 2013 she brought her skills to Tennessee for a clinic at Coyote Run Arena in Mason, TN.
From the beginning of the clinic, it was apparent that the nine participating horse and rider teams would get plenty of individualized attention. Vana began on Saturday by visiting each horse at their trailer and checking for any obvious problems or signs of soreness. If a horse was sore, this was addressed and a cause determined. After a short warm-up, each horse’s tack was checked and notes were made. After these preliminary observations, each participant made a timed, video recorded run. Once everyone made their runs, they were instructed to put their horses back at their trailers and have a seat in a classroom setting.
In the classroom, each run was watched, broken down and analyzed, with Vana pointing out mistakes and explaining how to correct them. She was incredibly thorough, making recommendations for farriers, equipment changes, nutrition changes, and body position. An example of the problems noted was: some participants were looking ahead to their next barrel before finishing the one they were turning. Vana explained, “You are skipping chapter one and going to chapter two. Until your belly button is facing the next barrel, do not look up!” She pointed out that some riders were riding like they were on a bicycle or a four-wheeler. To change this, she recommended riding one handed and relying on the seat and saddle horn for balance. For every horse and rider team, each move was critiqued.
The rest of the weekend, Vana continued giving the personal attention by going from the arena to the classroom and back to the arena again. She emphasized the importance of taking breaks, both for rider and horse, so that both may have the opportunity to absorb what they are learning. The clinic ended with everyone making another timed, video-taped run and feeling good about their improvement.
For more information about Vana Beissinger Doolittle, visit www.crosscreekrodeoranch.com.
Photo captions:
Photo 1: Vana inspects one participant's tack before they begin warming up. (Photo by Dana Shelly Photography)
Photo 2: As riders warm their horses up, Vana observes and takes notes. (Photo by Dana Shelly Photography)
Photo 3: Vana breaks down and analyzes the video of a run to one participant.
Horsemanship and Consistency. When asked what concepts she preaches, 6-time NFR qualifier Vana Beissinger Doolittle promptly answered, “Horsemanship and consistency.” She further explained how horsemanship is the foundation for any discipline; for a horse to work well in the barrel pen, he must first work correctly outside the arena. Simply stated, Vana specializes in building strong, confident riders and respectful, willing horses.
A professional barrel racer since age 19, Vana’s accomplishments include Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Fastest Time, Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Champion, Women’s Professional Rodeo Association Rookie of the Year, 2X Women’s Professional Rodeo Association Southeastern Circuit Champion, 2X Calgary Stampede Champion, and Reno, NV Champion. Now the co-owner with her husband of Cross Creek Rodeo Ranch in Edgefield, South Carolina, Vana is focused on training the next generation of barrel racers. She travels around the country offering barrel racing clinics emphasizing performance preparation, advanced fundamentals of riding during a race, body position for better communication, proper riding skills in the practice arena and ultimately, helping take each rider to their next level of competition. On March 15-17, 2013 she brought her skills to Tennessee for a clinic at Coyote Run Arena in Mason, TN.
From the beginning of the clinic, it was apparent that the nine participating horse and rider teams would get plenty of individualized attention. Vana began on Saturday by visiting each horse at their trailer and checking for any obvious problems or signs of soreness. If a horse was sore, this was addressed and a cause determined. After a short warm-up, each horse’s tack was checked and notes were made. After these preliminary observations, each participant made a timed, video recorded run. Once everyone made their runs, they were instructed to put their horses back at their trailers and have a seat in a classroom setting.
In the classroom, each run was watched, broken down and analyzed, with Vana pointing out mistakes and explaining how to correct them. She was incredibly thorough, making recommendations for farriers, equipment changes, nutrition changes, and body position. An example of the problems noted was: some participants were looking ahead to their next barrel before finishing the one they were turning. Vana explained, “You are skipping chapter one and going to chapter two. Until your belly button is facing the next barrel, do not look up!” She pointed out that some riders were riding like they were on a bicycle or a four-wheeler. To change this, she recommended riding one handed and relying on the seat and saddle horn for balance. For every horse and rider team, each move was critiqued.
The rest of the weekend, Vana continued giving the personal attention by going from the arena to the classroom and back to the arena again. She emphasized the importance of taking breaks, both for rider and horse, so that both may have the opportunity to absorb what they are learning. The clinic ended with everyone making another timed, video-taped run and feeling good about their improvement.
For more information about Vana Beissinger Doolittle, visit www.crosscreekrodeoranch.com.
Photo captions:
Photo 1: Vana inspects one participant's tack before they begin warming up. (Photo by Dana Shelly Photography)
Photo 2: As riders warm their horses up, Vana observes and takes notes. (Photo by Dana Shelly Photography)
Photo 3: Vana breaks down and analyzes the video of a run to one participant.
