No matter if you've just gotten a new trailer or your packing up for the season, there's a lot to pack into a horse trailer! Not only do you have to think about what your personal needs are, but your horses and for parents, your kids. Your rig becomes both a moving barn and home. We'd asked for your help on the RodeoKids Facebook page and these lists are what you camp up with! You can modify it to work for yourself and print the additional page off to add on your personal needs and the needs of your horse. Feel free to add suggestions for things we missed in the comments as well! (Printable version below) Print the PDF:

We're reading through the book of Proverbs to realign ourselves with with how to live, create good relationships, decipher right and wrong, how to do business and how to bring others along with us! These pictures below come from the Life Application Study Bible!

Being physically fit is a huge advantage in any rodeo event. Fit doesn't mean small, nor does it mean bulky. It doesn't mean you need to be sore 24-7 or spend hours and hours in the gym. You don't have to totally give up your entire life to become more fit for your event. We have teamed up with Wolfe and Son's Performance to help you take your performance to the next level through fitness programs specific to your event! Fit means: of a suitable quality, standard, or type to meet the required purpose. Therefore, increasing your fitness level will get you one step closer to achieving your goals! Check out the RodeoKids.com/fitness to learn more about how you can start your program specific to your goals through our friend, Dr. Andy Wolfe at Wolfe and Sons Performance!

Click here to learn more the history of Canadian rodeo!

If it's the middle of summer and you've been burning up the road or the dead of winter snuggled in, take time to set yourself up for success. CONTESTANTS: Know the rules. Don't count on your parents, they're not entered, you are. You need to understand what is acceptable and unacceptable in all situations. You also need to be prepared to contest a call quickly and understand the proper procedure for contesting that call. If the proper steps aren't taken withing the right time frame, even if you are correct, it could be too late. If you don't know the rules and take too much time, it's nobody's fault but your own. PARENTS: Hold your children to a higher standard. If they can enter the arena, they can read the rule book. If they can't, you should take the time to read it to them. Let's make sure we are setting them up for success in the arena and in life. Don't fight their battles for them, let them learn. If they choose not to read the rule book or implement them, let them suffer the consequences. It's a life lesson with short term consequences that leads to preventing life long hardships. Learn more about the rules on the RodeoKids "Rules & Etiquette" forum under the Rodeo 101 tab. PRCA Rule Book Good luck to everyone. Take care of what's in your control...like the rule book and you'll have a lot more success in the long run!

Are you trying to prepare the path for your child or are you preparing them for the adventures, the obstacles, the mountains, the valleys, the relationships that they'll encounter in their lifetime? The world is a beautiful place when we're prepared to handle it. Preparation doesn't come without lots of practice and you, as parents, get to provide the practice arena for life. The place where they learn. The place where they stumble The place where they recover. The place where they grow. The place where they break. The place where they mend. The place where they test their limits. The place where they explore. The place where they learn right from wrong. The place where they get to try out new strategies. The place where they get to make mistakes. The place where they get to find our who they are. The place where they get to help. The place where they get to be encouraged. The place where they get to be coached. The place where they get to be mentored. The place where they get to be loved no matter what. The good Lord is the only one who knows their true path. He put them in your care to prepare them to walk their path and to walk beside them, but never to walk it FOR them. Be strong and let them. Let them struggle. Let them stumble. Let them test their limits. Let them try new things. Let them dust themselves up. Let them try again. Let them push themselves to new levels. Let them push themselves. Let them dust themselves off. Let them ask for help. Let them dig deeper to accomplish their goals even when the path gets hard. Let them persevere. Let them become courageous. Let them find faith. Let them get determined. Let them grit their teeth and try one more time. Let them prepare for life. Let them be independent. Let them be risky. Let them learn. Let them grow. Let them find themselves. Let them prepare. Even though it's uncomfortable, hard, frustrating and goes against you parental instincts, this is part of your path too! Do the uncomfortable thing today to reap the benefits of confident, independent, capable children in the future! #rodeokids #letthem #faith #walkthepath #path #preparation

Anytime you go to a new association ask for a rule book. If the association doesn’t have their own rulebook, ask what rulebook they operate from. Many associations reference larger associations rule books like the PRCA or NHSRA rule book. Little changes from one association to the next can make or break your run. You are responsible for knowing the rules, even if you are new. Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Rule Book or the National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA) Rule Book outline rules inside and outside of the arena from proper procedures, arena rules, time frames for entering, fines, animal welfare, individual event rules, etc.

Always wear jeans and close toed shoes. Before attending the event, clarify if western attire (long sleeve, collared shirt, jeans, cowboy boots and a cowboy hat or helmet) is required. You can look on the flyer, website, or association rule book. If it’s not listed, make a phone call or send a message to someone with the event. Some events require western attire, others don’t. No matter what event, you’ll want to have jeans and cowboy boots to compete. Look at the weather forecast before you go so you can dress and pack accordingly. Depending on the season, you may want to pack sunscreen and sunglasses, sweatshirts and blankets, or raincoats and mud boots. Always have an extra change of clothes. Whatever you do, don’t wear anything you don’t mind getting dirty!

It’s no secret, it’s not cheap and you probably won’t come out ahead when you compare dollars-to-dollars. BUT nothing will compare to the memories, lessons and opportunities the whole family will gain from getting involved. Expenses depend on the level you want to compete at. You can spend $500-$500,000 easily in this world. A few expenses to be prepared for: Time – your time is valuable, and you will spend a lot of time on the road, at events and in the practice pen when you commit Fuel Entry fees – entry fees including additional livestock (calves, steers, goats, etc. will include a stock charge. Therefore, those fees will be a little higher) Membership fees Lessons & clinics Horses & practice livestock Feed, maintenance, care, facilities, etc. Practice equipment – dummies, spur boards, ropes, strings, etc. Western attire – cowboy boots, cowboy hat, long sleeve collared shirts, denim jeans Gear – Roughstock gear: saddles, bull ropes, cinches, vests, helmets, rosin, tape, special riding boots, spurs Timed events- saddles, bits, headstalls, breast collars, protective leg gear, cinches, ropes, gloves strings, rosin, baby powder, rope bags, rope cans, practice cones, pop-up barrels, poles, etc. Good insurance – let’s just say it’s better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. Trucks, trailers, tens, campers, vans – So many of the memories and relationships are built outside of the arena over long weekends. If you want the full experience, be prepared to find a way to stay overnight with everyone else. With that comes with generators or electric hook ups, camping spots and stalls for your horses in places they won’t let you tie out Overnight camping supplies, food, drinks, etc. times it’s listed, sometimes it’s not.

Be prepared to travel! There are events in all parts of the country for all levels, but they aren’t always close. You might find one five miles from home one week and 200+ miles the next. Depending on the how deep you want to get involved and where you are located will make a difference. Many nationwide associations have local/district levels that you can compile points in that allow you to qualify for local, district, state and national shows. There are private facilities and local organizations like saddle clubs, 4H clubs and different facilities that have their own events. Embrace it the travel and make the opportunity about more than just rodeo. By just getting a few miles off the beaten path and spending a little more time, you can find some of the most amazing things! Prepare beforehand to visit local parks, restaurants and attractions on the route. YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO EVERYWHERE! We love competing and all the things that come with it, but it’s okay if you can only make a few the first year. Be open with your kids about where you will go at first. You can always make adjustments.

First, we’re glad to have you and this lifestyle is full of great people who are willing to help. Don’t be shy, dive right in! The more you get involved, the quicker you’ll get adapted and learn. Ask questions. The information you find can sometimes be overwhelming, so be prepared to take notes. If you don’t get an answer from one person, ask the next! Start with solid, been there-done-that kind of horses. Find a coach or lessons ASAP. Even if you feel like you know what you’re doing, you’re children will listen better to someone else. Stay open to advice and constructive criticism. When people offer it, it’s because they care enough to want to see you succeed. Smile, processes it, say thank you and then choose what to do with it. How you navigate this is setting an example for your circle. Jumping in to this scene can be uncomfortable, but by jumping in, staying hooked and making it happen in all ways, you are setting a strong example. Always appreciate the personnel and people who help. The gate helpers, sorters, pick up men, bull fighters, secretaries, times, sponsors, judges, etc. Anyone you see contributing, teach your children to appreciate them. No matter if you’re just getting started or you’ve been in it for a while, keep it fun. Make sure everyone knows that you are your own competition and we’re striving for little victories each run that lead to the big victories in God’s timing. You’re going to have to go to the school of hard knocks a little. People will help, but there’s no cookie cutter approach. It’s not a money contest, even though it may look like it from the outside looking in. Do what you can with what you have. “It’s not what you pull up in or with, it’s what you take home with you.”

We recommend starting by attending to a few events to spectate first. Go to a professional rodeo or well-produced amateur rodeo in your area. This will give you an idea of what you’re striving for. Then go to something at the level of which you’ll be competing. Look for high school rodeos, youth rodeos, fun shows, horse shows etc. You can search Facebook or Google. Research your local extension office and ask them. Become an investigator! Check out what means to be a competitor, parent, coach, supporter, etc. Show up early. During a production, many times the “behind the scenes” are pretty well locked down for competitors and personnel only, but if you get there early enough, you can find someone who looks like they know what they’re doing, tell them you’re new and want to get involved. They’ll be happy to show you around! If you can’t get behind the chutes, do your best to get somewhere that you can watch what the competitors are doing. Where are they going – paying their fees with the rodeo secretary, checking the draw, ground conditions, etc. What are they doing to prepare – saddling their horses, watering, feeding, getting dressed, tacking up, talking, etc. Check out the equipment they use, if you aren’t sure ask. Use your camera to take pictures of things you don’t know about so you can ask someone later. How are they talking to each other and the personnel? If it’s a youth event, what are the parents doing? Talk to other spectators and ask anyone who looks like they might know something the questions you have. The more questions you ask, the more you’ll learn, the better you’ll be prepared.