Overholt Covers Training Techniques and Tools

Overholt is far from just a jockey. The Michigan cowgirl has trained her own horses for years and spends her days on the backs of young horses. Below, she covers her training ideals and some of her favorite tools.

Natalie and Casey at the IBRA Ultimate Challenge in Cloverdale, Ind., where she won the 1D out of 500+ horses.

Training
Do you train your own horses?
I usually train my own horses. I have had some that were already trained or started on barrels. But now I do the majority of the training myself.

What philosophies do you stick to when training young horse?
Horses have different personalities, characteristics, abilities and athletic styles. Because this stuff varies from horse to horse, each horses learns at a different pace and needs individualized attention. What I do and how I train a horse depends on the individual horse. I try to do what will work best for that particular horse. The more natural something is to a horse the easier it will be for the horse to learn and do.

How far will you push a young horse?
Depends on the individual horse and what they can handle.

What sort of horse body style do you prefer?
I like smaller built horses because I am more comfortable on them. However I have had some big horses and know of other big horses that do a great job barrel racing.

Any bloodlines you think are better than others?
Jet of Honor and Sun Frost breeding is probably my favorite.

At what age do you expect one of your prospects to be ready to hit the rodeo trail?
That all depends on how early the horse was started.

Any favorite techniques when putting a young horse on the barrels?
Start out slow and give them plenty of room coming into barrel to prevent them trying to slice it or cut into close as they get older.

What is your favorite training tool?
Martingale

What is your favorite bit for a young horse?
O-ring

Michele Dibert - Important Extras - Part 4

Extras
Who are your hauling partners?
I have a great support group that I haul with…my daughter, Landon, Kelsey, Shirley, Grows, Altmans, & Brackens. I would consider a bunch of my IBRA members though to be my hauling partners.

What is your favorite memory of life on the road so far?
Just about every trip made down the road with the horses is a memory! I love my trips to the
East IBRA Nationals though.

When you are at a barrel race, who else’s run do you make sure you watch and why?
My daughter’s runs for sure and there are so many others that I hate to miss someone. I’m always there to support my friends to cheer them on!

What type of truck and trailer do you drive and why?
My truck I love, it’s a 2007 Southern Comfort Chevy Duramax daully…it is so comfortable and it runs super! I have an Exiss three horse with living quarters but that may change in the future, I need something bigger!

What’s the worst thing that has ever happened on the road?
Two flat tires within a half hour on the trailer! We also got held up for a few hours on the way home from TN from a bad accident.

Where is the farthest you’ll travel for a barrel race?
The farthest South I have gone is TN and West would be Missouri but would love to go out West to run or even down into Texas.

How often do you take time off?
My work schedule is Wed-Sat so I have to take a good many Saturdays off.

How long do you condition a horse before you run it?
I try to ride at least three to four times a week. I like turning horse out too so they can play and be horses!

Any superstitions/habits before running?
Well I usually give my horse some Rescue Remedy and I take some myself. I do this everytime and it seems to be working. I also stay away from the pen until it’s my turn to run.

What type of hat do you wear?
I have a couple different kinds but I like Bailey & Resistol.

What kind of saddle do you ride?
Can’t ride in anything but my Bob Marshall.

Michele Dibert - Inside the Arena - Part 3

In the Arena

What type of ground do you prefer to run on?
Deep

Do your horses have any preference of ground or do you pick horses that can take anything?
My horse likes it deep!

Do you like big or small pens?
The horses I ride are big so I prefer big pens so they can stretch out.

Where is your favorite arena and why?
I have a couple favorites. Diamond 7 Arena is on the top of my list. The ground is always super there and the facility is nice. The stalls and arena is under one roof. They also have a nice warm up pen and hook-ups are a plus! I love going to Murfreesboro, TN to the Tennessee Miller Coliseum. For an out door pen I like Clyde Saddle Club, another big pen, and the ground is always good.

What arena have you had the most success in?
Diamond 7 Arena & Tennessee Miller Coliseum

What is going through your head when you’re running to the first?
You will laugh at this one, I always tell people I don’t remember my first, I usually have my eyes closed.

What are you thinking running home?
Go all the way to shut that clock off!

How do you approach a barrel (i.e. with a wide pocket, straight at it, etc)?
I have been taught to go pretty straight to the first.

Do you run with spurs, a hand whip, or nothing?
I use bumper spurs and I have an over & under that I may use from time to time.

What is your horse’s cue to turn a barrel (i.e. lift, leg pressure, etc.)?
I have gotten myself into trouble a lot this year by bumping my horse to soon to clue him so I’m trying to stay up and out of my sit and dropping my hands till I get by the barrel.

What is your favorite bit for a finished horse?
I’m using a Jim Warner gag right now that I really like!

Michele Dibert on Training - Part 2

Training

Do you train your own horses?

No, I have a full time job so I don’t have time to train them.  They go to Grow’s Equine Services.

What philosophies do you stick to when working with a young horse?

I don’t want to get them burned out.  I want a horse that will be good for the future!  I feel you should take it slow with them.

What sort of horse body style do you prefer?

I like a tall horse built like a TB.

Any bloodlines you think are better than others?

I love my Dash For Cash but recently have fell in love with Quickstraws!

At what age do you expect one of your prospects to be ready to hit the rodeo trail?

I have started one recently and he has handled it well.  I just need to trust him to do his job and he will take care of me.

Any favorite techniques when putting a young horse on the barrels?

I haven’t had that many young horses but the one I have right now likes to pick his own pocket.  

What is your favorite training tool?

Draw reins!

What is your favorite bit for a young horse?

L & W chain snaffle

Michele Dibert - PA State IBRA Director Goes on the Record - Part 1

Three weeks ago, Michele Dibert lit up the Pennsylvania IBRA Finals, brining in more money than any other horse and rider team that weekend. For the IBRA director who spent much of her time organizing and running the finals, this was no small feat. After her big weekend, Dibert spent some of her time talking to TheBarrelRacingBlog to answer questions on anything from her riding styles to her favorite truck and anything in between. In the first part of the series, Dibert discusses her riding background and her role as the state IBRA director. 

Background

When did you start running barrel horses?

I actually haven’t ridden barrel horses that long.  I traded four minis for my first barrel horse in 1998.  His name was Nonstop Moon and he taught me a lot about barrel racing.  

Who taught you to ride?

My childhood neighbor taught me how to ride.  

Why barrel racing, instead of anything else?

I like the fact that your against the clock and it isn’t based on how much you spent for your outfit and tack.  It’s your horse, you, and that clock!  I love speed too!

What has been your biggest accomplishment to date on the back of a horse?

A good showing last year at Nationals!  Actually every clean run I feel is an accomplishment.

Do you hold any arena records?

At a local arena in my home town.  

What horse have you had the most success on?

There’s actually two that I have done well on, my gelding Mr. Castenada and my daughter’s gelding, Cody.  

What is the biggest check you’ve ever taken home in a single weekend?

2008 IBRA East Nationals

What does your family think of your barrel racing life?

They support me, they know it’s what I love to do, and my daughter hauls with me!

How long have you been the PA IBRA State Director?

4 years

What are your responsibilities?

Promoting IBRA, getting shows approved, answering questions that members have and giving them support, making sure rules are followed, keeping the PA IBRA website updated,  awards and planning a banquet, and numerous other things.  

Why did you decide to get involved with the IBRA?

It’s a super organization with good values.  The members are terrific and make you feel like your family.  I have made so many great friends being a part of this organization.

What do you like about the IBRA as opposed to other organizations?

On the most part everyone is there to have a good time and everyone is like family.

How much longer do you plan to work with the IBRA?

As long as I can!

What are the perks of the job?

Great friends!