Lindsey Wilkes
I switched this year to NBHA District 9 to hang out with old friends, meet new friends and try new arenas. In doing so I noticed Lindsey Wilkes and Meghann Daniel and I requested an interview. They are great youth riders on some nice horses!
Lindsey Wilkes is 14 years old and lives in New Smyrna Beach. Her Dad is Marvin Lee Wilkes. She goes to Creekside Middle School in Port Orange and will be starting high school this year. Lindsey likes to ride horses as much as she can get her Dads place as she lives with her Mom. She says, "My Mom isn't much into horses so I don't get to ride like most kids do." She spends the night on Wednesday at her Dad's and they take a lesson at Caryn Henry's in Seville. Lindsey has a lot of animals and she enjoys spending time with them, everything from potbelly pigs to rabbits. She also plays some league soccer and she wants to go to the University of Florida when she graduates high school to be a vet. She is a big fan of the Gators.
Lindsey started out taking english riding lessons at 9 years old, then her Dad bought her first horse, an Arabian named Permanent Solution (barn name Bubbles) when she was 10. She says, " My Dad owned horses and grew up riding. His family rode in shows, but we did not like the english atmosphere to much at all. Sometimes you did good, sometimes didn't as it is a judged event. He said, if you really want to ride I will take you to a rodeo and see what you think." They went to the Cracker Day rodeo, and Lindsey caught a pig in the pig race, got really dirty and she says she was hooked! Her dad bought her first barrel horse and she started practicing and going to some game shows. She went to her first barrel race jackpot in February of 2008 at 11 years old. Lindsey's goals for the future are to ride as much as possible, make better grades and become a vet.
In the last 3 years she has won over $20,000 dollars in prize money and 3 saddles; 1D youth at SBRA, 2D open NBHA 09 and a 3D youth championship at NBHA State. To list a few things she has accomplished in the past 3 years; she has won several open shows and won the youth many times. She has won reserve 1D youth NBHA 09, she missed placing in 1D open by only one slot. She also finished in 1D open in 09 in SBRA . She qualified for 3 slots at NBHA youth world in 09 and 2010. She also qualified for open world this year. She wants to do well at both. She has made finals at some big shows. Her best run she says, "Was running fourth in 1D finals at Tour of Champions last year to Jaime Wright and Megan Warren-Swint." She also ran fourth and seventh in the 1D in the first go at Tour of Champions at Silver Sands this year and in the 2nd go she placed 2nd to Kaley Bass on Sunday. and she ended up second in the overall average. She made the finals and that was exciting for Lindsey as there was only 18 riders in 1D. She ran fifth in the 1D youth and fifth in 2D youth as well at State. Most recently she made the finals at Southeastern Youth Show in Unadilla, Georgia. She was seventh in the 1D in the second go and 11th fastest time in the finals. She also won 1D youth in SBRA in 2009 and leads the 1D youth this year in NBHA 09.
Lindsey's horses are special to her and this is what she shared; "I will start with Lucky Charms, my first real barrel horse we rescued him and he was close to death. He was the 4D magnet and I won a lot of money on him. Sadly, he coliced from complications due to his abuse and lack of care before we found him. The vet said he if he made it through surgery he may not be able to keep his weight, so we let him go. It was and still is a very sad thing to deal with."
Caryn Henry found me a great horse named Runaway Voltage (barn name Winnie) she is a big gray mare with a huge heart! We call her the great white shark and she is the boss on the farm. She has a big motor." Lindsey continued, "I also own a black, Cash Not Credit, 14 year old mare named, "This Gal Can Spend" (we call Sister) also from Caryn Henry bought through M.R. Trivett. Every one loves Sister, if I do what I am taught she can clock a time. I won 3D youth at state on her in 2009. My newest horse is Winnie's sister, Runaway Easy Lena (Lena) a 12 year old gray mare. We call her the brat or princess she is the ultimate Diva! We got her from Caryn Henry, to ride this mare you better not be scared to go fast! My Dad has a great relationship with all my horses and Lena loves him. I also own their brothers; Runaway Colors, Baby Miss Liberty Reed and a paint named Peanut."
Lindsey shared some things they do and do NOT do with their horses and one is they do not over run their horses. "We carry our times over from open to youth when available." They also skip taking one each show. Lindsey says, "If Winnie wants to go she comes to the front of her stall and neighs, and if not she eats and looks out in her pasture and we leave her home. She runs really good when she wants to go so we try to keep her happy."
Lindsey doesn't have a favorite show, she says, "Any place, any where!" The furthest they have hauled to compete is Mississippi for youth world. They compete mainly with Sun Coast Barrel Racers Association and NBHA09. "We try to get to some big shows also if we can."
Lindsey says when they haul it's a FULL house; her Dad and "Mom"-Shannon, Meghann and Abby Daniel, along with two of their nine dogs and of course two cats, Sammie and Forest aka Batman. They are supportive of one another and push each other to be better. They all help one another at the show.
I asked Lindsey who are her mentors, or biggest support and this is what she shared; "Well my Dad is the guy who goes to the barn every morning and cleans and feeds. He keeps up the property and arena where we keep our main horses. He takes care of my horses while I am at my Moms, he and my Mom-Shannon do so much! They take care of our exercise routines, vet needs, ordering hay and feed along with our supplements. At night we all help out after riding and we put our horses in the exercise machine(like a hot walker). Caryn Henry is our trainer and we can't say enough about her. We do exactly what she teaches us and my Dad reinforces that during the week at home. Caryn does not teach a lot of kids so we are lucky to go to her. She is awsome."
Lindsey shared there are many that have helped them be successful like: Bryce Laraway their farrier, he is very reliable and professional, as well as very detailed. They use Rocky Esposito and Peggy Fleming as their vets. Darci Lyon massages the horses when needed. Tammy and Rick Pettis are a great help to them at shows, and they are very grateful to them and for their knowledge, as they help a lot of kids. Also to Mellisa Chapman for letting Lindsey ride Scooter in poles.
I asked Lindsey to share some advice about handling competition as a young person and this is what she offers as advice to the other youth out there, "I've won some opens and youth a lot but I've gotton a long string of seconds it seems! Our district is tough and wins are hard to come by. My advice is you have to work hard. It's more about effort and riding up to your potential. I try to focus more on my mechanics than my time when I am about to compete."
"My horses are so different to ride, I have to be focused on what to do on each. My Dad says it will make me better in the long run! Winnie I have to hold in the alley a little and bump hard at first and give it back, then pick her up at the first when my leg gets past it and stay off her head on the second barrel, drive her to the third and stay two handed. She is older but has some motor and lots of heart! For Sister she is tough, I have to hold her inside and stay two handed until my leg gets past first barrel than drop and pick up her nose! It's not easy because she is fast, than drive her to the second and hold her inside a little again. On some large patterns you have to pick her up if she does not give you her nose and then drive her two handed to the third barrel. For Lena is totally different, a lot of alley is the best to get her running to the first fast and go to the horn and shape her, NOT pull but shape and drive her to second and stay off the barrel she will snap it tight then stay two handed to third. She is fast and loves to run. If I hustle her she will go."
Lindsey says she hasn't had to do much training as they have bought all finished horses trained by Caryn Henry, so she feels pretty lucky there. Caryn tells her how to ride them and what bits and such work best on them. Lindsey likes when she takes her Wednesday lessons from Caryn that she makes you ride your own horse. She will get on one to tune for you if it's not getting with the program, says Lindsey! By her coaching Lindsey feels it allows her to focus on her riding each horse correctly. Lindsey prefers to not have to worry about all the other things. What ever Caryn suggests is what her Dad has them do at home. Lindsey says they are very dedicated to being their best and they work at it all the time.
She says, "During the week my Dad has a chalk board in the barn with the exercises we need to work on there. If we don't do the work we don't get to go the the barrel race that weekend! We practice as much as the weather and school permits but only do exercises at home. We only do barrel pattern work with Caryn once a week. Our routine at home is to stretch our horses really good and then walk for 5 minutes, then we lope 8 to 10 large circles to the right and same to the left. I think larger loops are less stressful on the horses legs. We are always focused on leg care. Then we walk a cool down of 5 laps around the arena and then long trot arena 8 to 10 laps. We then walk again. After we are down we rinse horses off and poultice the legs. If we did not ride my Dad put them in the exercise walker for 5 minutes walking then trots them 10 minutes each way and cools them down for 5 minutes walking again. Some times we just trail ride too. At shows we take our horses out of stalls as much as we can and use "sore no more" linament and poultice every night when we are done. My Dad uses ice boots when needed too."
Another thing Lindsey says they do that is very helpful is watching their video runs. Also, when she gets to the barrel race since they do not exhibition their horses, she checks the arena out; where are the timers, shape of pattern, ground conditions and so on. She also likes to watch some of her favorite riders to see how they do in an arena like; Caryn Henry, Sabra O Quinn and Kaley Bass.
They feed their horses Nutrena Senior for Lena and Sister and they both get Oxygen Extreme (Lena gets her alfalfa with her feed or else!) Extruded feed for Winnie with apple cider vinegar (for arthritis) and oxygen extreme along with no salt. The other horses get extruded along with alfalfa hay.
For care they see the vet as needed. Teeth are checked every 6 months. They take the horses to see Peggy Fleming as needed or at least every 3 months. They get massages for the horses from Darci Lyon when there are sore. Lindsey says a happy horse works for you!
.
I asked Lindsey about some advice for how to treat a barrel horse and she said, "I hate abuse of any kind. A lot of people over run their horses then complain about yours! A lot of kids wear spurs and dont know how to use them correctly. I only wear bumper spurs until I learn how to move a horse without hurting him or making him confused." For newcomers to barrel racing Lindsey suggests; "Work hard and cheer for everyone and try to have as much fun as possible! It can be stressful at times and a lot of work but try to ride up to your potential. Lastly, don't watch the clock."
Tips for training and competing Lindsey shared the following: "As for barrel hitting problems it's important to be matched to the right horse for you and have a good trainer. I don't hit a lot of barrels, but if I do it's my fault not my horses. I suggest you just stay focused on your mechanics and not the time to beat, as that is what helps your time improve!" Lindsey also suggests watching your videos. Meghann, Abby and her go over them with her Dad and he helps them see where they can do things better.
Lindsey is very fond of the Runaway bloodlines for sure! She will ride what ever her Dad and Caryn put her on. She feels if you treat your horses well and let them be horses not just barrel racers they will always try and work for you! Lindsey suggests if you have a bad run as she is very competitive she will just review her video and talk to Caryn or her Dad on what to do to improve and move on to the next one.
Lindsey would like to thank her Dad; "He does a lot and keeps my horses up. He works hard at his job and our horses 4-5 hrs each day. He is our coach and goes over our runs from watching and videos. He makes our exercise schedule and balances our lives between school, activities and horses." She would like to thank Mom (Shannon) says, "She is the best Mom and takes care of us. She gets us were we need to be and spoils us." To her sisters; "Meg and Abby, for putting up with me and being my horse buddys." Lindsey would like to say a huge thank you to Caryn Henry for allowing her to be in her group of kids she teaches and for all the knowledge she shares with her and her Dad and family. It is greatly appreciated."
Meghann Daniel
Meghann's Mom is Shannon Daniel. Her younger sister is Abby Daniel and Lindsey Wilkes. Meghann is 15 years old. She was born in Titusville, Florida. She currently lives in New Smyrna Beach. Meghann is going into 10th grade at New Smyrna Beach high school. She got her first horse at 5 years old. She started barrel racing at 10 years old. She is a straight A student in school and works at her family dry cleanering business part-time. She loves to ride her horses and want to competes someday in the NFR.
She mainly competes on two horses; Docs to Hancock a 14 year old chestnut mare they call Sissy. She was picked for Meghann by Caryn Henry and Lee Wilkes. Meghann feels Sissy matches her style and is very consistant. Sissy was owned by Audrey Arble and Meghann says, "Sissy was taken very well care of and her age does not reflect the great shape and care Ms. Arble kept the horse in.".
Bar Dee Miss Royalty is Meghann's other horse and she is a 10 year old liver chestnut mare they call Stella. She was her Mom's horse and Meghann has ridden her about 2 years now. Stella was purchased from Nikki Solko. Meghann says, "Stella is very fast but I am learning to ride her better thanks to Caryn Henry. We had to reprogram her and me to get more consistant with my runs."
Meghann agrees with Lindsey about rolling over times so she doesn't over run her horses from the open to the youth. One of her favorite memories barrel racing so far was at a big show winning $500 and a halter. She has also won some money at the super show in Perry. Another recent great win was coming in seventh in the 1D in second go at the Tour of Champions this year at Silver Sands Arena. Meghann and her sisters won close to $2500.00 at that one show. She has had a lot of good runs in SBRA and NBHA 09, she is proud of as well. A proud moment for her this year was making it the finals at Southeastern Youth Worlds in Unadilla, Georgia. She felt there was no shortage of tough riders there and a lot of entries, so it was something to be proud of. Currently, she is in the Top 5 of youth 1D NBHA 09 and leads the 2D youth with SBRA and is training Peanut at the SBRA shows.
Currently, Meghann is training Peanut a 9 year old resgistered paint named Radical Holme Executive. He was at Byron Forehand ranch for 90 days and she has made about 11 runs on him and pulled 7 checks. Abby, her younger sister rides RC Trigger Happy (Gracie) who was Meghann's first barrel horse.
Meghann has never patterned a horse, as they have bought all finished horses, and they get tuned up by Caryn Henry and she takes lessons with her to do her best with them. She says, "Every thing we do as far as exercising and slow work is what Lee Wilkes has us do and he only does what we learn from Caryn Henry." With Peanut they have adopted a routine they learned from Caryn and slow work him with that routine.
Meghann likes a more laid back horse, not something hot. She wants something she can trail ride and be comfortable around, grooming and cleaning. It's a family affair at the barrel races for Meghann and her sisters. They all get together and look over the arena for ground, timers, barrel placement and everyone pitches in to get the horses set up and ready to race. They do not do exhibitions so they must know what's going on before they get in the arena. To warm up they stretch the horses legs and applying leg linament, then walk 5 minutes and lope some large circles about 5 to 8 each way. Then stretch more and walk some more. Lastly before her run she tries to find some quiet time and hang out in the pen with Lee. "He keeps busy about anything and everything she says, but the barrels and that helps."
Just as her sister Lindsey said, Lee sets up her week plan for training and exercise and they go to Caryn's on Wednesday nights. Lee just reinforces what she has gone over with us. They have a chalk board in the barn and it has what each horse needs to do each week on it. Like Lindsey said, if she doesn't do it she doesn't barrel race that weekend. Most of the riding during the week is just exercise not barrel work, they only do barrel work at Caryn's.
Meghann rides in Amerman and Charmayne James saddles. With having so many horses they have many bits and hackamores to chose from. They also try to fit the saddle to the horse first, so they do not get sore. She says leg boots are very important and says you should never forget to use them. One thing Meghann hates to see at a barrel race is a "horse beater" or someone who runs their horse over and over, she says, "Treat your horses well, have good karma and have fun!"
Meghann competes in NBHA 09, SBRA and Tour of Champions, as well as some super shows. She has qualified for Open World this year and has two slots for youth world. Meghann took lessons from Nikki Sokol when she first started barrel racing. For the last year she has been taking lessons weekly from Caryn Henry. Meghann's one tip she would like to offer is, "Smoother is really FASTER!" A lot of people focus on getting fast horses, but she feels it's more important you buy a horse that fits your style.
Meghann would like to thank a few people in her words; "I would like to thank Caryn Henry, but mostly Lee Wilkes deserves most of my appreciation because he coaches me mentally. He also takes care of my horses and keeps them running great. My Mom-Shannon also gives me tons of support and is always there for me."
Well these are two great youth barrel racers who sound like they have some pretty great role models to learn from and a great future ahead of them. Nothing makes me happier than writing a bio about winners not only inside the arena, but how they treat horses and people outside the arena too! Best of luck to you Meghann and Lindsey may all your dreams and hopes come true.
photos - Lindsey on Lena (gray) and Meghann on Stella (bay)
By- Tina Spangler
If you know someone you would like interviewed, send me their email address! Thanks Tina Spangler, best way to reach me: mrstinaspangler@aol.com