Sommer Smith

Sommer Smith grew up in rural Oklahoma and fell in love with horses at an early age. Her first horse was a cow pony that she shared with her older sister, but she taught herself how to ride and learned much about caring for her horse through trial and error. Still in love with horses as an adult, she took lessons at a Southern Hills Riding Academy in Tulsa to learn how to ride English, something she had always wanted to do. She learned advanced dressage, showjumping, cross country and competed in novice level events in Oklahoma and northern Texas for a short time.

Later, she discovered the thrill of barrel racing, another sport she had long wanted to take part in. Through friends in the sport, she learned much more about horse care and how to be competitive in the barrel racing world.

Sommer has competed in lower-division barrel races around her state and has worked with some important names in the barrel racing industry. She has won the 3D average in Lucky Dog Barrel races, placed in some A-OK local series competitions for the yearly average, and won series prizes in local divisional races for competing successfully throughout the season. Some larger races she has competed in include the three-day long Lucky Dog race in Fort Smith and some Barrel Bash and Four Star productions events. She continues to grow in her understanding of horses and their care.

The best horse breeds for jumping are the horses bred specifically for soaring over the fences. It’s true any horse can jump, but to compete in shows, there are some breeds that stand out as the best. In general, the best horse breeds for jumping: Breed Jumping Rank Dutch Warmblood #1 Westphalian #2 Selle Français …

The top ten horse riders in the world today are high achieving, world champions with Olympic experience, and a few medals to their credit. In a time when the sports world is dominated by the NFL, NBA, MLB, and PGA, equestrian athletes often don’t receive the recognition they deserve, though they spend just as much …

Some horses have achieved such fame that they just can’t be forgotten. What makes a horse famous? Well, it can be anything from racing fame, Hollywood notoriety, or recognition as a war hero. The most famous horses are racehorses such as Secretariat, Seabiscuit, and Man O’ War. Due to the huge popularity and how horse …

Where can you find the most comfortable cowboy boots to work, walk, and ride in? They are becoming more popular every day. We have some suggestions on where to begin your search. There was a time in the not-so-distant past when the words Cowboy boots and comfortable did not belong in the same sentence. Made …

Generally, the most expensive horses in the world tend to be racehorses. If a horse is fast – really fast – it can potentially earn hundreds of thousands, even millions, of dollars in prize money. However, not all of the most expensive horses are racehorses. Top performers in other disciplines such as dressage and show …

There is much debate over the sleeping habits of equines. Do they always sleep standing up? Is it dangerous for them to sleep lying down? These are just a couple of the questions loving horse owners ask about their animals’ sleep habits. Getting to the bottom of it isn’t as easy as it may seem. …

The Haflinger horse breed is originated in Austria and northern Italy from the cross between a half Arabian stallion and a native Tyrolean mare. This cross produced the founding stallion, 249 Folie. This Arabian heritage is often mirrored in the shape of the head in many Haflingers, but the strong musculature comes from the native …

The Paso Fino is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful horse breeds in the world. Known for it’s alluring gaits and rapid leg action, this breed has become extremely popular in Latin America. Currently, the Paso Fino Horse Association has over 50,000 registered horses and 9,500 members. Paso Fino History and Origins The Paso Fino …

The Marwari is a rare gaited breed of horse that originated in India and is believed to possess Arabian bloodlines in their history. The horse’s exact origins are unknown, but they have become easily recognized all over the world by their inward-turned ear tips, which nearly touch at the top. History and Origins The Marwari …

You’ve decided to let your child fulfill a dream of learning to ride. The first step in getting toddlers and small children ready for their first big horseback adventure is making sure they are safe, and no piece of equipment is more important than a safety helmet. To help you find the right horse riding …

There are some great options out there for barrel racers in search of the best in saddle pads. So many, in fact, that it can be overwhelming to choose. Brands such as Weaver Leather, 5 Star Equine, and Classic Equine offer some of the best, as you will see here. As horse lovers, we all …

Now known as the national horse breed of Ireland, the Irish Draught encompasses the Irish Sport Horse and Irish Hunter as well. Pronounced like, “draft” in American English, this breed isn’t what you typically think of as a draft horse. This breed is much more athletic and competitive than those big, furry legged horses that pull …

Embark on a captivating journey through the pages of equine history as we uncover the incredible tales of the oldest horses that ever lived. These exceptional animals, each with their own inspiring legacy, have not only far surpassed the average life expectancy of 25-30 years but have also defied the odds to etch their names …