09/01/2026
This weekend was a reminder that no matter how experienced you are, horses are still 1,200-pound animals with minds of their own.
One of our trainers, Maddie, took a hard fall at Firecracker jackpot. It wasn’t because of a lack of talent from horse or rider, nor from ground conditions. It was simply one of those unpredictable moments that can happen to any of us. That’s the reality of this sport. We can do everything right and still find ourselves in situations we never expected.
That’s also why our advanced trainer, Payton, has worn a helmet every time she’s competed since the day she started. Even now, you’ll still see her in the competition arena with a helmet on and with no plans to stop. Experience doesn’t make you invincible. If anything, it teaches you to respect the risks that come with the sport we love.
Wearing a helmet doesn’t mean you’re not confident. It doesn’t make you less capable. It means you understand the risks and value the chance to ride another day.
You only get one brain. Protect it.
If this weekend reminds even one rider to put on a helmet before they swing a leg over, then it’s a conversation worth having. Ride hard, chase your goals, trust your horse, and never let pride stand in the way of protecting yourself. At the end of the day, no run is worth a life-changing injury.
EDIT: Wanted to add, Maddie and Rumor are okay! Sore, bruised, but back to work. Both are gritty girls!! We are so lucky to have them.
Also, reminder this is NO ONE’s fault! The ground was great all weekend. This team just had a freak accident!
Another EDIT: Since so many people think this is AI, I’m tagging the PHENOMENAL photographer that took this picture Andrew Jungkunz! I should have done that from the get go, but I didn’t think this would get so much traction.
