July 27, 2010 – Rodeo, like life, can be like a roller coaster. Up one day and down the next. Everything looked great on the 4th. Then the bottom fell out. A good friend of ours was killed in a car wreck, and a trip to the vet revealed that Amigo needs the rest of the summer off. The only good news was that we found that Goose’s stifles were sore, so we treated those, and he needed several days off. I flew home for the funeral.

Horses are one thing, and they are a very important part of my life and job, but losing a good man is another thing. Whitney Marlon was my husband’s right-hand man at Cowboy Rigs, a good friend, and most importantly, a husband and father of four. He will be greatly missed.

I flew back to Cheyenne where my good friends, Brandie and Shawn Halls, have been graciously taking care of my horses. I jumped in the trailer with Jeanne and Brenda Mays and headed out to Nampa. I worked Goose when we got there and he worked great. Maybe things were back on track.

The next morning, Goose took the wind out of my sails and ducked the second barrel. We drove all day to Cheyenne where we ran twice the next day in slack. He ducked again the first run. Our other run was really ugly. No time to lose, we drove back to Salt Lake and Spanish Fork. Back to the practice pen for me and Goose. Things seemed to be better.

We ran in the perf at Salt Lake where Goose jumped the second barrel. The bright spot, I figured was that I managed to keep him on the right side of the barrel. At least that’s what I told myself. No time to worry, we jumped in the truck and raced to Spanish Fork to run in the slack after the perf. Making it just in time, Brenda and Jeanne were placing. Our run was better, but not up to par.

The last few days, Jeanne and Brandie have been helping me get my act back together. Life, no matter what goes on, comes back to good friends and how much they mean to us. 
Great friends don’t let you stay down, they pick you up, dust you off, kick you in the butt, and help you get back on track. I thank God for putting awesome friends in my life.

It’s off to Deadwood to watch Marty, my husband, rope. It will be nice to get to spend a couple of days with him. It gets lonely on the road when you are away from your family

 Tana Poppino
Professional Barrel Racer
Big Cabin, OK
918-244-9401

Discover your God-given talents, give your dream to God, work hard, trust Him, and never, never give up.