Page 130 - 2018 Barrel Stallion Register

“Try to learn from the best, but you can learn something from everyone.”
Michelle Hoffman-Darling
by Marie Littlefield
Name: Michelle Hoffman-Darling Home Base: Medford, OK
Years of experieNce: Over 20 years
Barrel raciNg & additioNal associatioNs You compete iN:
WPrA, BBr, BFA and local big jackpot bar- rel races.
most memoraBle Barrel raciNg momeNts: Placing in the top 5 at the Old Fort Days Derby at Fort smith, Arkansas, was an amazing experience. it had been 12 years since i ran in that arena. The first time was with my first futurity horse i had ever trained. she slipped and went down, and i broke my collarbone and tore my rotator cuff. so, com- ing back and doing so well was a big deal.
favorite HoBBY: You know...i don’t think
i do...drinking coffee and wine, does that count? Horses are mainly it. Buying yearlings and getting them prepped and ready and selling them as futurity prospects is a lot of fun.
Michelle Hoffman-Darling has been in the horse business since day one. As the daughter of a horse trader, she learned how to ride
starting at the bottom riding sale horses and has made her way to the top with horses like her famous mare Morning Traffic (Martini) and stallion Guy On A Mission. Michelle and her husband Cody have a respect- able horse operation, keeping 15-20 mares, standing their stallion, and riding and training barrel racing and team roping horses. Michelle will laugh and tell you that her kids are a full-time job. Being the mom of three, that’s apparent, but when you have so many horses to take care of, it’s clear that there’s a reason she’s been able to train and ride such great horses with such a high level of com- mitment and dedication.
Q. When were you first introduced to barrel racing?
A. Well, I just grew up around it. My dad is a horse trader, so I grew up riding a whole bunch of sale barn horses and a variety of different types of horses. I always loved riding. Barrel racing was obviously something I picked up, was good at and enjoyed. I competed in the Oklahoma Junior Rodeo Association and the Oklahoma Junior Youth Rodeo Association growing up and starting competing in open rodeos when I was in high school.
Michelle and her stallion Guy On A Mission
Q. What made you decide to become a trainer? Was there a particular person who was a major influence in your life?
A. I really enjoyed it, and it was really fulfilling in the end to have 4D to 1D riders be able to ride behind me and get along with them. I sold a horse recently
to a lady who lives nearby and needed a good solid 3D horse. This A Streak Of Fling gelding wasn’t a big time 1D horse and they fit each other perfect. I enjoy watching people succeed on horses I’ve ridden.
Q. How do you balance being a mom and competing?
A. It’s not easy. It can be a challenge. I always have a babysitter or my best friend, Tracy Couch, with me to help. I can’t go otherwise. My husband doesn’t get to go with me because of his business that he’s com- mitted to. I have to stay on top of that.
Q. do you prefer to train futurity horses and campaign them or do you prefer to rodeo?
A. I enjoy them both equally. It’s so much fun to bring along futurity horses and watch them develop into athletes, but riding a top rodeo horse is so much fun as well. I really enjoy staying home and being with my family though, so I ride more young horses than anything.
A TrAiner’s PersPecTive
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SPEEDHORSE
marie littlefield
THE BACKSIDE