Rodeo Archives ⋆ The Whoa Podcast

Bakersfield Youth Rodeo’s Positive Impact

February 28, 2023 by John Leave a Comment

Bakersfield Youth Rodeo’s Positive Impact

It’s the second Saturday morning of the month and Rancho Rio Equestrian Center is filling with kids, parents, horses, and truck and trailer rigs. For many young riders, rodeo is more than just a sport, it’s a way of life. In this podcast, we’ll explore the connection between rodeo and the local Cowboy Church, and how it’s making a positive impact on the youth of today.

My Experience with the Bakersfield Youth Rodeo

When I was invited to a steer riding clinic for the Bakersfield Youth Rodeo, I was eager to see what it was all about. The energy of the young riders with their parents’ constant encouragement was everywhere. My experience at the rodeo was not only fun, but it gave me a deeper appreciation for the positive impact it has on the youth.

The Rodeo’s Connection to the Cowboy Church

One of the most striking things about the youth rodeo was the connection to the local Cowboy Church, Branded Heart Fellowship. I spoke with the Pastor of the Church Randy Gafner, who is also the president of the Bakersfield Youth Rodeo Club. He shared with me the benefits of exposing children to the sport of rodeo. He believes that rodeo not only teaches kids important life skills like teamwork and resilience, but it also helps build their faith and connects them to the community.

Links Heard on the Show

Bakersfield Youth Rodeo Club on Facebook

Branded Heart Fellowship (Cowboy Church) Website

Branded Heart Fellowship on Facebook

Join the Journey

Whether you’re a seasoned horse owner or just starting out, we invite you to join us on this journey. Share your challenges, triumphs, and everyday experiences with others. We believe these stories can help others in their horse journey.

If you have a story you would like to share, you can reach out to us through our Facebook or Instagram page. Alternatively, you can email John@WhoaPodcast.com to be a part of the show.

Thanks for listening.

John & Ranae

Episode #212

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New Bakersfield College Rodeo Team Formed

July 26, 2022 by John Leave a Comment

New Bakersfield College Rodeo Team Formed

You’d think as big as an agricultural, beef-producing county as Kern is, there would be rodeos all the time. And, in reality, there are. We’ve got the Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Association producing bull riding, youth, and PRCA rodeos. There’s the Glenville Rodeo and the Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo. We have a Bakersfield Youth Rodeo Club. But, with all that, there was no community college rodeo. That is until adjunct professor, Andrea Prise, formed the Bakersfield college Rodeo Team.

If you’ve listened much to the podcast, you already know I am one of the least knowledgeable people when it comes to rodeo. But, I wanted to learn more, and I’ve attended many classes at Bakersfield College over the years (a story for another time). I tracked down Andrea and the Bakersfield College Rodeo Team President, Cloey Griffiths for a chat. We met in a study room at BC and had a great time talking rodeo.

Andrea and Cloey told me that support for the rodeo team was impressive. She’s getting help from a local stock contractor, Tinoco Bulls, and the Funny Farm. She’s also gotten a good response outside the ag industry with a local plumbing contractor, HPS Plumbing, providing the team with jackets to make them feel like real professionals.

Andrea talked about how valuable it can be for youth riders to compete at the college level. Not only can they hone their skills and get valuable experience, but they get an education too. Cloey is a perfect example. She was going to move away to find a college to rodeo at until she learned about the Bakersfield College Rodeo Team.

Links Heard on the Show

Contact Coach Andrea Prise

Connect with BC Rodeo on Facebook

Check out BC Rodeo on Instagram

Join Us on this Journey

We want you to be a part of the show. Tell us about your horse. Share your challenges, triumphs, or just everyday items that make horse ownership unique. Create an audio file using the memo app on your phone. Or contact me and we’ll set up a time to talk on Skype or phone. Perhaps what you have to share can help someone in THEIR horse journey.

You are an enormous part of why we do a podcast. We really love getting your feedback. Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show. Email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening.

John & Ranae

Episode #203

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Ernest Forsberg Roper, Farrier, Storyteller

December 20, 2016 by John Leave a Comment

Ernest Forsberg

Ernest Forsberg has spent his life around horses. He is a calf roper, team roper, farrier, and storyteller. When Ernest Forsberg told his uncle he wanted to be a calf roper, his uncle challenged him to rope 100 cows a day. At age 12, Ernest accepted the challenge. Growing up in Southern California gave Ernest Forsberg many opportunities to ride horses and work cows. And, those 100 cows a day? Well, those carried him to the National Finals Rodeo four times. His first visit to the NFR was when he was 20 years old.

A January 1964, Desert Sun (a California newspaper), touted the fact that 20-year-old Ernest Forsberg was returning to defend the title he earned when he was 19. The 24th annual Palm Springe Mounted Police Rodeo boasted of $7500 in prize money and was held at the Polo Grounds in 1964.

Ernest left rodeo to pursue a career as a farrier. In 1984, Forsberg joined the Senior Pro Rodeo Association. He continued to dominate in team roping and in 2005 was inducted into the SPRA Hall of Fame.

At 67, Ernest Forsberg still competes in team roping and has a thriving business as a farrier.

About Us

Welcome to the Whoa Podcast about Horses and Horsemanship. My name is John Harrer. I began the podcast in 2012 because I wanted to learn more about horses and horsemanship. Talking with great horseman and women about their lives with horses and the history of horsemanship is my passion.

Contact Us

We have well over 100 episodes up now and you can find them all for free on iTunes, with our Android App in the Amazon store, and now Stitcher, or wherever podcasts are distributed. Get the Stitcher app and let us know how it works. We are on Google Play too! You can also find every episode and more about the show at whoapodcast.com. Please take a moment and join our email list. Get in on the conversation with Facebook and Twitter – just look for WhoaPodcast.

You are a big part of why we do this podcast. We really love getting your feedback. Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show. You can email us at: John@WhoaPodcast.com

I blog at TrainingJessie.blogspot.com and if you want to know even more – and I can’t imagine why – it’s all at JohnHarrer.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #81

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Cowboy Champions – EYS Podcast

May 1, 2015 by John Leave a Comment

Bonus Episode!

There are a lot of podcasts out there for you to listen to on a weekly basis. It’s sometimes hard to pick a good one. Last year I met a fellow horse podcaster and we struck up a friendship. Alyssa Barnes, the host and producer of the Earn Your Spurs Podcast, has a goal to help you unleash your Inner Cowboy. I thought as a special bonus, we could share our shows to each others’ audience. I know you will enjoy Earn Your Spurs. Alyssa’s guest on this episode is Kaila Mussel, the first woman to earn a PRCA card in Saddle Bronc riding. Kaila talks about the challenges she has faced competing a sport dominated by men.

Alyssa is also producing a unique online experience, The Cowboys Champions Summit. She is gathering a group of trainers, rodeo stars, and just down right great horsemen to share motivation, inspiration, and insights to the horse world. Check out the Cowboy Champions Summit by clicking the photo to the right or this link: Cowboy Champion Summit Link.

Enjoy the Earn Your Spurs show, and let me know what you think!

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