5 minute read
Barrell Racing Model (Ceeli
FINDING BLISS IN BARREL RACING: MEET
Written By: Maddie Delbridge and Annie Delbridge (@annie.and.maddie) Photographer: Shelley Gerodias (@blushinglens.co)
Do what you love. It's the dream for all of us who aspire to find our passions and pursue them. Whether these interests lie in school, in the arts, in sports, in friendships, or in all of the above, it's a privilege to have opportunities to develop them. An even greater privilege is to have the opportunity to share our stories with one another, be inspired, and learn more about all the ways our peers are doing what they love, and doing them well!
This is the story of Ceeli Pinkston (follow her at @c3barrelhorses), our multi-hyphenate model who is living the dream of being an award-winning barrel racer. We were thrilled to learn more about this exciting sport, and share her inspiring story about this unique passion. When asked to describe barrel racing, Ceeli explained, "Barrel racing is running as fast as you can [on a horse] on a cloverleaf pattern around the barrel without knocking a barrel over. It is a timed event and the fastest time wins...barrel racing has been a part of most of my childhood memories, and I can't imagine doing anything else!" Sounds like pursuing this passion requires a dazzling combination of experience, agility, speed, quick-thinking, and, last, but never least, pure talent.
Ceeli's adventures in barrel racing all started with her first ride on a horse as a baby, which quickly ramped up to her competing in barrel racing when she was five years old. Every sport and activity calls for dedication and consistency, and barrel racing is no exception, requiring commitment and hard work to train at the competitive level. As a top competitor, Ceeli finds herself racing three to five times a week, including weekends, and explained that her training consists of "exercise and work barrels," elaborating further that barrel racing is, "part of my daily life,
so I literally train almost every day. As for my horses, I ride them often to keep their muscles loose and get them used to the barrel pattern." Ceeli loves everything about barrel racing, highlighting "the adrenaline rush and winning money" as what she loves most about racing competitively. "I feel so free and excited when I'm on the back of a horse," she shared, and when asked how long she's been training, she answered like a pro, "I've been barrel racing for as long as I can remember!"
Like most of us that pursue passions in the arts or in sports, it's clear that the relationships she builds with her teammates, in this case, her horses, is equally important to both the competitive successes she achieves as well as the meaningful support she receives. She shared, "I've loved horses ever since I could walk and I truly feel I have a connection with my horses that many people don't understand." When asked about the first horse she ever met, she fondly mentioned the two she rode: Snickers and Blondie, and explained that she now has five: Sailor, Kippy, Shotzi, Scooby, and Little T. She
describes her daily routine with the horses as "Ride, groom, clean stalls, Magnawave therapy for the horses, and feed. Taking care of horses comes natural[ly] for me so I don't really even think of it as a routine. Riding my horses is second nature and truly my favorite thing to do, so it doesn't even feel like work." Isn't it true that time flies when we are having fun and doing what we love? That definitely seems to be the case with Ceeli and her wonderful horses.
As Ceeli well knows, equally important as our relationships with teammates is our relationship with mentors and teachers in the areas of interest we are pursuing. Our favorite barrel racer cites Mary Walker as her role model and favorite professional barrel racer, explaining that "she is humble, sweet, and down to earth even though she's a world champion. She is my friend and helps me when I have questions or need anything at all." The support of leaders like Mary Walker is instrumental in guiding young competitors through the various obstacles and pitfalls in their competitive journeys, and, like Ceeli, we are appreciative whenever we can find and connect with them. Ceeli herself is also a role model for other children and teens who seek opportunities to barrel race, sharing some invaluable advice to get started in this sport. "First, they have to get a suitable horse. If they are a beginner, I suggest a trainer to help them with their technique. They will also need to work hard for their dreams and never give up."
Ceeli is still discovering and finding new passions as well. Not only is she an award-winning barrel racer, but thanks to KidFash Magazine, she can now also add "published model" to her bevy of titles. When asked about her experience with modeling for this photo shoot, she excitedly shared, "The photo shoot in Arizona for the 'Western Edition' article [was my favorite]. I've grown up in a time where people capture pictures of everything so I'm used to posing for the camera. When I get to dress up in beautiful clothes and take pictures with my animals, it is so much fun. Modeling and spending time with animals are two of my favorite things to do." When asked what modeling and barrel racing share in common, she explained that "In both, you have to be ready for anything that may happen." We're ready, are you?
