Barrel Racing Coach Judy Myllymaki talks to the 20 participants of the clinic held at the Rice Ranch.
Myllymaki gives pointers to participants as they race at full speed.
Clinic host and friend of Myllymaki, Reyna Rice, walks her horse through a race pattern.
Myllymaki gives clinic participant Jade Brunsvold some encouragement.
Barrel racing instructor Judy Myllymaki held a two day clinic at the Rice Ranch arena near Fairview on June 1 & 2.
Myllymaki, a former school teacher, has been involved in the sport of barrel racing for over 35 years and has conducted teaching clinics for over 25 years. She is a National Finals Rodeo Qualifier, a Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit Champion, a Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit Finalist, a Dodge National Circuit Finals Qualifier, participated in Multiple Futurity Championships and has won more buckles than she can count. Myllymaki and her husband Gene both train and sell horses from their ranch in Arlee, MT.
Myllymaki continues to compete in PRCA and WPRA rodeos. Both teaching and competing in barrel racing takes Myllymaki throughout the US and Canada and even to Australia. “Now I’m working on the award for the longest staying power in the sport,” she commented.
“We are very blessed to have Judy here,” said Mary Jo Brunsvold, the mother of clinic participant Jade Brunsvold.
Myllymaki shared her expertise with twenty participants from novice to expert skill levels during the two day clinic. She conducted training station exercises, breaking down patterns and isolating moves to train both horse & rider. One of the most important skills taught was how to be patient and provide proper communication between the jockey and the horse. “Just like people, your horse does not like to be picked at,” stated Myllymaki.
The partnership between the horse and rider is of utmost importance in the sport of barrel racing. “A poor jockey can foul up a good horse and a good jockey can’t make a bad horse great,” Myllymaki said.
The chemistry between human and animal can not be understated. Horse and rider must make a good match. “Opposites attract in barrel racing,” Myllymaki said. “A nervous person should have an easy going horse and vise versa.”
Preparation is another key to success in the sport. “You always have to go into a rodeo with a plan. You can’t start making the plan at the time of the rodeo,” Myllymaki stated. “If that plan doesn’t work, you make a new plan for the next rodeo,” she continued.
The sport has changed quite a bit during Myllymaki years of involvement in barrel racing. “Now the riders are less cowgirls and more athletes. They are very polished,” she stated.
For more information about Judy Myllymaki go to http://www.myllymakibarrel horses.com.
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