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Harrah resident Sidney Forrest’s life reads like a novelty T-shirt: “Barrel racing is life, the rest is just details.”
The 15-year-old said she developed a love for barrel racing at a young age because her parents raced. She also loves the adrenaline rush. Forrest loves barrel racing so much her family began homeschooling her during sixth grade so she could pursue her passion full time.
Forrest said she begins her day at 7:30 a.m. by feeding her horses. She then performs school work and trains her young horses.
Though Forrest said her competitive horses are in “full bloom” and only need to be ridden for exercise, this hasn’t always been the case.
“Twig,” the horse Forrest will compete with at the International Finals Youth Rodeo Monday through Saturday, suffered from an eye injury last year.
“We were on the road and we’re not sure what it was, but it almost went all the way through my horse’s eye,” Forrest said. “Now he can see out of about half of his left eye. It’s taken a long time for him to get over it.”
Annie Forrest, Sidney’s mother, said her daughter helped to rehabilitate the horse.
“She stayed with him overnight in the stall a few times to help get him healed,” Annie said. “He sure knows Sidney loves him.”
Annie said prior to purchasing Twig, her daughter had another horse named “T.C.,” who helped Forrest win several world titles. Forrest and her family made the decision to sell the horse after seven years because she outgrew him.
“When she bought Twig, Sidney did all the business herself,” Annie said. “She’s so self-motivated and dedicated.”
Annie said the IFYR is her daughter’s “comeback race.”
“I haven’t been able to run Twig because of his injury,” Sidney said. “I’m excited. I’m hoping to go after a world champion title next year.”
This will be the first time Forrest will compete in the IFYR. She will be one of 249 youths participating in the barrel racing event. She will be one of around 900 contestants from 31 states at the IFYR. She is among 28 competitors from the Tri-County area and Harrah particiapating in the world’s richest youth rodeo.
“Last year I went to watch a friend,” she said. “Usually, I compete with the International Professional Rodeo Association, but we saw how popular the youth rodeo has become.”
Annie said her daughter had always wanted to participated in IFYR, but she wasn’t able to in the past due to other competition commitments.
“I really feel like she might have a good shot at winning,” Annie said. “I am very proud of her.”
Forrest said she would like to thank her family, friends, sponsors and God for supporting her passion.
Harrah resident Sidney Forrest’s life reads like a novelty T-shirt: “Barrel racing is life, the rest is just details.”
The 15-year-old said she developed a love for barrel racing at a young age because her parents raced. She also loves the adrenaline rush. Forrest loves barrel racing so much her family began homeschooling her during sixth grade so she could pursue her passion full time.
Forrest said she begins her day at 7:30 a.m. by feeding her horses. She then performs school work and trains her young horses.
Though Forrest said her competitive horses are in “full bloom” and only need to be ridden for exercise, this hasn’t always been the case.
“Twig,” the horse Forrest will compete with at the International Finals Youth Rodeo Monday through Saturday, suffered from an eye injury last year.
“We were on the road and we’re not sure what it was, but it almost went all the way through my horse’s eye,” Forrest said. “Now he can see out of about half of his left eye. It’s taken a long time for him to get over it.”
Annie Forrest, Sidney’s mother, said her daughter helped to rehabilitate the horse.
“She stayed with him overnight in the stall a few times to help get him healed,” Annie said. “He sure knows Sidney loves him.”
Annie said prior to purchasing Twig, her daughter had another horse named “T.C.,” who helped Forrest win several world titles. Forrest and her family made the decision to sell the horse after seven years because she outgrew him.
“When she bought Twig, Sidney did all the business herself,” Annie said. “She’s so self-motivated and dedicated.”
Annie said the IFYR is her daughter’s “comeback race.”
“I haven’t been able to run Twig because of his injury,” Sidney said. “I’m excited. I’m hoping to go after a world champion title next year.”
This will be the first time Forrest will compete in the IFYR. She will be one of 249 youths participating in the barrel racing event. She will be one of around 900 contestants from 31 states at the IFYR. She is among 28 competitors from the Tri-County area and Harrah particiapating in the world’s richest youth rodeo.
“Last year I went to watch a friend,” she said. “Usually, I compete with the International Professional Rodeo Association, but we saw how popular the youth rodeo has become.”
Annie said her daughter had always wanted to participated in IFYR, but she wasn’t able to in the past due to other competition commitments.
“I really feel like she might have a good shot at winning,” Annie said. “I am very proud of her.”
Forrest said she would like to thank her family, friends, sponsors and God for supporting her passion.
