Building Willing, Confident and Consistent Barrel Horses
Boo Flournoy is an experienced trainer with a track record of developing barrel horses that are mentally, emotionally and physically sound.
“I believe in giving horses the fundamentals that they need to succeed, and then giving them the opportunities to succeed,” Flournoy says. “That produces a horse that likes his job and is very willing to work.”
Boo’s training begins on the ground and in the round pen, building solid skills and a relationship of trust. In the practice pen, she introduces the horse to a host of challenges, carefully guiding him through each one.
“When I take them out into the world, they trust me, so that whatever obstacle we face they trust me to guide them through it. I want my horses to see me as their coach, and I try to be a great coach, giving them the support and guidance that they need to be successful.”
“I prefer to work with young horses whose minds are fresh and ready to learn. But it is also rewarding to take a more experienced horse and help him find a level of performance he may not have known he had.”
In her three decades as a trainer, Boo has started horses that have won the Old Fort Days Futurity and been in the finals as the Barrel Futurities of America in Oklahoma City, Speedhorse Silver Cup and other major futurities. Her “graduates” now perform in PRCA rodeos, high school rodeos and divisional barrel races.