KY Performance Horses

KY Performance Horses We do horse training & horseback riding lessons, specializing in barrel racing. We also host a monthly barrel show series open to all ages.

06/24/2026

Nothing like getting some good baby scratches in while filling water troughs!

One of the hardest decisions in this sport is knowing when to keep entering and when to take a step back.A few off runs ...
06/24/2026

One of the hardest decisions in this sport is knowing when to keep entering and when to take a step back.

A few off runs can make you question everything. Suddenly you’re wondering if you should keep pushing forward, stay home for a while, change your program, or start over completely.

The truth is, not every rough patch means something is wrong.

Sometimes you’re one run away from things clicking. Sometimes the answer is to keep showing up, trust the work you’ve put in, and give yourself and your horse a chance to work through it.

But sometimes the strongest decision isn’t entering another race. Sometimes it’s stepping back, taking a breath, evaluating the situation honestly, and making sure you’re doing what’s best for the horse instead of what’s easiest for your emotions.

Neither choice is weak.

The key is learning the difference between a temporary setback and a sign that something needs your attention.

The people who last in this sport aren’t the ones who never have bad runs. They’re the ones who learn how to navigate them without losing confidence, losing perspective, or losing sight of the bigger picture.

How do you decide when it’s time to keep entering and trust the process versus when it’s time to take a step back and reassess?

Do you pick apart your winning runs as much as your losing ones?I do.Not because I’m unhappy with the result, but becaus...
06/23/2026

Do you pick apart your winning runs as much as your losing ones?

I do.

Not because I’m unhappy with the result, but because a win doesn’t automatically mean everything was perfect.

Sometimes a horse wins despite a mistake. Sometimes there’s a better line, a smoother transition, or a spot where the rider could have helped more. The stopwatch may say it was great, but there’s usually still something to learn from it.

I think that’s one of the biggest differences between chasing wins and chasing improvement. If your only goal is the result, it’s easy to stop digging once you get the outcome you wanted. But if your goal is to keep getting better, every run has something to teach you—good or bad.

Be proud of the win. Celebrate it. Enjoy it.

Then watch the video back and see if there’s one small thing that can make the next run even better.

What’s one thing you’re always evaluating, no matter how the run turns out?

The longer I do this, the more I realize the best horsemen and horsewomen are usually the ones asking the most questions...
06/22/2026

The longer I do this, the more I realize the best horsemen and horsewomen are usually the ones asking the most questions.

Not because they’re inexperienced.
Not because they’re lacking confidence.

Because they understand there’s always something new to learn.

The horse industry has a funny way of humbling all of us. One horse might teach you something that works, and the next one might teach you that the same approach doesn’t. The people who continue improving are usually the ones willing to stay curious, keep learning, and adjust when needed.

I’ve learned just as much from conversations with other trainers, veterinarians, farriers, and clients as I have from my own successes and mistakes.

No matter how long you’ve been doing this, there’s always another perspective, another technique, or another lesson waiting around the corner.

What’s something horse-related you’ve changed your mind about over the years?

Happy Father’s Day to all the barrel dads.The ones who hook up trailers before daylight.The ones who sit through hours o...
06/21/2026

Happy Father’s Day to all the barrel dads.

The ones who hook up trailers before daylight.
The ones who sit through hours of exhibitions and jackpots.
The ones who hold horses, drag barrels, fuel trucks, fix things that break, and somehow still get volunteered for one more job.

The ones who may not always understand every detail of the sport, but show up anyway because someone they love does.

A lot of barrel racers got their start because a dad loaded up a horse, spent the money, gave up the weekend, and believed in them long before anyone else did.

Today we celebrate the dads who make this sport possible behind the scenes.

Tag a barrel dad who deserves some recognition today. 🤍

What’s one thing you’ve spent money on for your horse that ended up being worth every penny?For us, today’s answer might...
06/20/2026

What’s one thing you’ve spent money on for your horse that ended up being worth every penny?

For us, today’s answer might be shelters.

We’re spending the day building two new ones, and while they aren’t nearly as exciting as a new saddle or entry fees, the things that improve a horse’s day-to-day life usually end up being some of the best investments.

Shade in the summer.
Protection from the weather.
A comfortable place to be a horse.

Sometimes the most valuable purchases aren’t the flashy ones.

What’s one horse-related purchase you’ve made that turned out to be worth every penny? 👇

Could be equipment, facilities, lessons, vet work, supplements, or something completely unexpected.

06/19/2026

It’s hard to believe this is the same horse we planned on paper years ago.

Lykos is a 3-year-old that we bred and raised, so getting to ease him through exhibitions now makes all of the early mornings, late nights, and years of waiting feel worth it.

There’s still a lot of work to do, and we’re in no hurry. Right now it’s all about building confidence, experience, and a solid foundation. But it’s exciting to see the pieces starting to come together.

If everything stays on track, November will be our first opportunity to compete in some of the big incentives with a horse we produced from the very beginning. That’s a pretty special feeling.

For now, we’ll keep taking the small steps and letting him tell us when he’s ready for the next one. The future is looking fun ❤️

Everyone wants a horse that can run.Not everyone talks about how valuable it is to have a horse that can handle pressure...
06/19/2026

Everyone wants a horse that can run.

Not everyone talks about how valuable it is to have a horse that can handle pressure.

New places.
Crowds.
Delays.
Long days.
Unexpected situations.

Talent gets attention, but composure keeps horses performing.

Question: What’s the most underrated skill a horse can have?

A question for the horse world:What’s something you used to think was a training problem that turned out to be a managem...
06/18/2026

A question for the horse world:

What’s something you used to think was a training problem that turned out to be a management problem?

I’ve seen horses improve dramatically from things that had nothing to do with arena work—better fitness, a feed change, dental work, ulcers addressed, hoof balance corrected, turnout, saddle fit, or simply getting enough rest.

Training matters, but sometimes we spend so much time looking for answers under saddle that we overlook what’s happening the other 23 hours of the day.

The best horsemen and horsewomen I know are always willing to zoom out and look at the whole picture.

What’s something that made a bigger difference than you expected?

A lot goes on around a horse farm besides the horses.This little visitor was hanging out beside the pasture this morning...
06/17/2026

A lot goes on around a horse farm besides the horses.

This little visitor was hanging out beside the pasture this morning, completely unbothered while the horses went about their day.

It’s easy to get caught up in training schedules, entry fees, and everything that needs to get done, but sometimes the best part of the day is noticing the small things around you.

Barn life comes with a pretty good view 🫶🏼

What’s the most unexpected animal you’ve spotted around your barn?

Address

Benson, NC
27504

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 8pm
Tuesday 8am - 8pm
Wednesday 8am - 8pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm
Friday 8am - 8pm
Saturday 8am - 8pm

Telephone

+19194130878

Website

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