Tyrney Steinhoff & Hot Shot
By Jessica Burkhart
Can you imagine earning thousands of dollars in high school doing what you love?
Fourteen-year-old Tyrney Steinhoff does just that as a barrel racer. Tyrney and her horse, Nate Shilabar (or “Hot Shot”) have taken the barrel racing world by storm and are quickly climbing their way to the top.
With her eye set on winning several national competitions, this humble Oklahoma girl doesn’t like to brag. But her story is anything but ordinary.
Tyrney was riding horses before she could walk. “My parents say the day I got home from the hospital, I was on horses,” Tyrney says. “I rode with Mom or Dad, or they’d pony me on another horse.” Tyrney was in her first riding competition before she was 1 year old and, with her family’s support, she hasn’t stopped since.
Barrel racing is a family activity for the Steinhoffs. The family lives and breathes horses and competition. Tyrney’s older sister, seventeen-year-old Tanya, rode Hot Shot before Tyrney and is a nationally ranked champion. The youngest in the family, twelve-year-old Taylor, is following in her big sisters’ footsteps—or hoofprints. Tyrney points out that in this business, family is the most important asset a girl can have. She loves having her family with her to watch her compete and come along when she travels out of state. Barrel racing is big table talk around the Steinhoff household, and while it’s fun for Tyrney, she’s all business when it’s competition time.
Tyrney belongs to the National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA), a group that offers state and national competitions for barrel racers. Barrel racing is a rodeo-type event in which riders must cleanly race around three barrels in a cloverleaf pattern. Riders always enter to the right, circle the barrel, and then race to the barrel directly across from them before heading to the final barrel at the top of the triangle. The event isn’t judged on performance, but a rider can’t hit any barrels and must keep a fast time. Riders who can handle their horses and compete against the clock can do well. It takes a skilled rider and a willing horse to circle barrels at a dizzying speed and then gallop over the finish line. In the 2007 NBHA World Championships, Tyrney’s time was 14.184 seconds, landing her in second place with a prize of more than $3,600.
This champion rider doesn’t let success go to her head. She still has chores—like any normal teen—and juggles balancing school, basketball practice, and riding. “It’s hard and easy,” Tyrney says. “I’ve got my mom, siblings, and dad. They take care of Hot Shot if I can’t, or if I have to go to basketball practice. I’ve skipped riding so I can stay and play basketball, because I like it. It’s my choice and I like both. And sometimes I miss basketball due to barrel racing.” Tyrney’s parents never pressure her to compete, something that can be all too common in many teen sports.
Tyrney is able to do what many teens struggle with—handle school and outside activities, while still making time with her family and friends a priority. She carefully balances school and riding, especially when she travels out of town.
“I’ve gone far from home to barrel race,” Tyrney says. Her barrel racing competitions take her across the country. “Recently, I went to Augusta, Georgia; South Carolina; and California.” One of her favorite things about competing is meeting people from all over the world. “I’ve met people from Italy, Canada, Mexico, and Panama. It’s neat to meet other competitors I’ve read about. Sometimes, they’ve heard about me and that’s amazing. ” For Tyrney, competing isn’t only about winning, but she admits she always rides to win, while loving the sport at the same time. And the love of her life? Her horse.
Tyrney’s family owns Hot Shot, a 21-year-old quarter horse. The buckskin gelding is the top-grossing barrel racer in the last decade, with over $230,000 earned.
Breyer, the maker of the famed model horses, took notice of Hot Shot and created a Breyer model horse in his likeness. The model of Hot Shot leaning in to take a barrel was released in January 2007. “It’s so exciting,” Tyrney says. “It’s just so great. When my older sister was riding him, we collected Breyer horses and played with them. My sister always said it would be so cool if she could play with her horse one day. It finally came true, and it’s a great honor.”
Tyrney’s goals for this year are sure to bring even more attention to her star horse. “I want to win NBHA World, All American, and Team World.” Hard work, drive, and belief in herself give Tyrney the confidence to pursue her goals. She admits that Hot Shot is getting older, but she’s not afraid to start competing on a new horse one day. “I’ll probably never quit.”
With her goals, list of numerous accomplishments, and pride in her sport, Tyrney always stays above negative influences. “Peer pressure doesn’t get to me,” she says. “Drugs and alcohol aren’t good for your body, and it’s nothing you need to do. It’s never, ever something I’d try. No way.”
For teens considering barrel racing, Tyrney is quick to encourage. “You might think that barrel racing is really hard, but it’s not. Go for it and never give up. Sure, you might hit a barrel and it might come down and cost you a championship. We just keep on going and trying for the next year. You’ve got to thank all of those people who are there for you and help you. You’ve got to have fun.” Tyrney and Hot Shot are moving on up, one barrel at a time.
Visit the National Barrel Horse Association at www.nbha.com and check their schedule to see if Tyrney and Hot Shot are coming to your city. |
