Level Up Youth Barrel Racing

"No one is coming to save you, but no one is coming to stop you either"....BET ON YOU! words from Tricia Aldridge.

This story is 20 years in the making.

I am 37. I have been through it all. Divorced. Sued. Robbed. Rented rooms. Put myself through college. Bad relationships. Bad friendships. You name it. Learned a lot of *hard* lessons, but absolutely refused to quit.

There were times when Hottie paid my rent, my car payment, for food. I had NOTHING.

Times I sold horses I never wanted to. To survive. To eat. To pay my bills, and I cried every time they loaded them up.

I worked for *years* and never made a dime. I focused on building myself, learning, watching successful people and figuring out how to reinvent the wheel.

I remember thinking I can’t compete with professionals. I wasn’t fast enough, but I kept pushing myself, a kept moving my horses, trying to find what I needed, and slowly but surely, the tides started to turn.

When Josh and I met (10 years ago) I rented a place by the college and he lived in a camper in a field with no electricity while he hand built his place. I did every side hustle you can think of, because I wanted better horses. I remember sitting in the bleachers at Diamond T in the winter to get internet for classes, and Dirk being so kind to leave a corner office unlocked for me so I wouldn’t freeze. I did whatever it took.

I had the car I lovingly called the “G-Wagon,” a $2,000 dodge nitro that was orange 🤮😆 with no heat, and I remember saying all winter while driving it, “I want to buy land, I want to buy land.” 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

I finally was able to buy my dream piece of dirt about 6 years ago, thanks to the help of Three Times the Fury, and many of my good mares I sold to build the barn, build the apartment and the shop. All of which we built ourselves, because we couldnt afford to hire anything out.

This year, I built an arena. 🤯 Before owning this dirt, I hauled to ride. 15 YEARS OF HAULING TO RIDE, never having my own arena.

I refused to quit. I 120% BET ON ME. I refused to go with social norms, I refused to listen to outside noise. I refused to think I couldn’t do it. I kept pushing….

The things I have today are from immense sacrifice. I share this, because if I can do it, so can you. I want you to be inspired, and if you’re a hater… well I just want you to know if you put that energy towards yourself, you can accomplish things you want in life too.

No one is coming to save you, but no one is coming to stop you either. 💪🏻

🚨 SOMETHING BIG IS COMING… 🚨

🎓🐎 Scholarships are coming to the Level Up Youth Barrel Bash!

That’s right… for the first time, we’ll be offering Youth Scholarships at our 2nd Annual Level Up Youth Barrel Bash on November 7th at the Indian River Riding Club!

We’re keeping the details under wraps just a little longer, but we promise… you’re going to want to be part of this! 👀

💜 We are incredibly excited to announce that Susan Caron has already pledged $1,500 to launch our Youth Scholarship Fund! Thank you for believing in the next generation of riders and leaders.

This is only the beginning…

🔥 How can you earn a scholarship?
🔥 Who is eligible?
🔥 How much will be awarded?

You’ll have to stay tuned to find out!

👉 Follow our page, turn on notifications, and watch for our upcoming announcements. We have something special in store for the youth who are willing to Level Up!

📅 November 7, 2026
📍 Indian River Riding Club | Vero Beach, FL

The future of youth barrel racing is about to get even brighter. 💜✨

Ashely got to meet Josh Andrews of Josh Andrews Saddles and Horses at NBHA Youth & Teen World Championships!

Josh was a huge supporter of our Level Up Youth Barrel race last year!

If your at Youth World stop by and say HI and check out his great saddles and gear!

💦 A BIG THANK YOU to Castaway Pool and Spa Service,LLC! 💦

We are incredibly grateful to Castaway Pool and Spa Service,LLC for once again returning as a sponsor of the Second Annual Level Up Youth Barrel Bash! Your continued support helps make this event possible and gives our youth producers and contestants an unforgettable experience.

As a family-owned and operated local business serving Indian River County, Castaway Pool and Spa Service,LLC has built a reputation for exceptional customer service and quality workmanship. From weekly pool maintenance and repairs to complete pool remodels and new construction, they are committed to helping families enjoy their backyard oasis year-round.

It is businesses like Castaway Pool and Spa Service,LLC that demonstrate what community is all about—investing in our local youth and helping them develop leadership, responsibility, and entrepreneurial skills through the sport of barrel racing.

Please join us in thanking Castaway Pool and Spa Service,LLC for their generosity! If you're looking for a dependable, professional pool company, we encourage you to give them a call and support the businesses that support our kids.

👏 Thank you, Castaway Pool and Spa Service,LLC, for helping us continue to Level Up the next generation of barrel racers! 💜🤠🐴

Ashely is keeping Annie exercised and feeling loose…..they run Tuesday and Thursday at the NBHA Youth & Teen World Championships show in Perry, GA! I love seeing our kids work hard and chase their dreams!

Stay focused and ride with intention! We are rooting for you!

A heartfelt THANK YOU to Andy and Helen Rattray Bowler for becoming Diamond Sponsors of the 2nd Annual Level Up Youth Barrel Bash! 💎🐴

Andy and Helen have long been recognized for their generosity and commitment to making our community a better place. Through their support of numerous local charitable organizations and youth-focused initiatives, they have demonstrated what it truly means to give back and invest in the future of Indian River County.

Their generous Diamond Sponsorship is helping us create an unforgettable experience for the young barrel racers who will travel from across Florida to compete on November 7, 2026, at the Indian River Riding Club. More importantly, their investment supports our mission of empowering youth by teaching leadership, responsibility, teamwork, business, and event production through a youth-led event.

Andy and Helen, thank you for believing in these incredible young people and for helping us continue to grow this event into something truly special. Your generosity will have a lasting impact on the next generation, and we are sincerely grateful.

❤️ Please join us in thanking Andy and Helen Bowler for their outstanding support of our youth and our community!

💎 PREMIUM SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT 💎

The Level Up Youth Barrel Bash is made possible by the incredible generosity of businesses and families who believe in investing in the next generation. We are honored to recognize Zach and Morgan Rose as Premium Sponsors of the 2nd Annual Level Up Youth Barrel Bash! 🎉

Zach and Morgan have recently fallen in love with the western lifestyle and the horse community. What started as a new adventure has quickly become a passion for their entire family, spending countless hours riding, learning, and building their ranch while embracing the values of hard work, sportsmanship, and horsemanship.

As lifelong supporters of their local community, Zach and Morgan are committed to giving back through youth organizations, agriculture, and community initiatives that help young people grow into confident, responsible leaders. They believe that investing in today’s youth is one of the greatest ways to strengthen the future of our communities.

Their support of the Level Up Youth Barrel Bash reflects their passion for encouraging young riders to pursue their goals, build confidence, and create lasting memories in and out of the arena.

From all of us at Level Up Youth Barrel Bash, thank you, Zach and Morgan, for believing in our mission and helping make a lasting impact on the next generation of barrel racers. Your generosity and support are truly appreciated.

💜 THANK YOU, HBS, Inc. (HBS Glass) & Rob Vaccaro! 💜

The Level Up Youth Barrel Racing family would like to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to HBS, Inc. (HBS Glass) and Rob Vaccaro for once again stepping up as a returning sponsor of the Second Annual Level Up Youth Barrel Bash on November 7, 2026 at the Indian River Riding Club in Vero Beach!

For more than 50 years, HBS, Inc. has been a trusted Treasure Coast company, providing homeowners and builders with expert installation of premium impact windows, doors, and glass products. Their commitment to quality workmanship, exceptional customer service, and our local community is second to none.

Rob, thank you for believing in our mission to "Level Up" the next generation of barrel racers. Because of businesses like yours, our youth producers are learning valuable leadership, business, marketing, budgeting, and event-planning skills while creating one of Florida's premier all-youth barrel racing events.

Please help us show our appreciation by supporting the businesses that support our kids. If you're planning a new home, remodeling project, or need impact windows, doors, shower enclosures, or custom glass, we encourage you to contact HBS, Inc. for your next project!

Thank you, Rob and the entire HBS Glass team, for investing in the future of our youth and helping make this event possible. We truly couldn't do it without amazing community partners like you!

Wishing one of our own, Ashley Clark and Annie safe travels and fast runs at NBHA Youth World!

🌟 Sponsor Spotlight & Thank You! 🌟

A huge THANK YOU to Dr. Courtney McCreary Kempfer, DVM, owner of Prestige Equine Veterinary Services, for once again stepping up to support our 2nd Annual Level Up Youth Barrel Bash! 💜🐴

Dr. Courtney's support means so much because she truly understands the journey these young athletes are on. As a youth, she competed in barrel racing and breakaway roping, where her passion for performance horses first began. That passion ultimately led her to earn her veterinary degree from the University of Florida, complete an equine specialty internship at the Equine Medical Center of Ocala, and gain advanced sports medicine experience in Wellington before launching her own mobile equine practice. Today, she is dedicated to helping performance horses stay healthy and compete at their very best.

It is incredibly inspiring for our youth contestants to see someone who followed her love of horses, worked hard, and turned that passion into a successful career as an equine veterinarian. Dr. Courtney is a wonderful example that the lessons learned through rodeo and barrel racing—dedication, perseverance, sportsmanship, and responsibility—can open doors to incredible opportunities in life.

Thank you, Dr. Courtney, for believing in our mission to "Level Up" the next generation of barrel racers through leadership, education, and competition. Your continued support is helping make this event bigger and better for the kids each year! ❤️

If you're looking for a knowledgeable, compassionate mobile equine veterinarian who understands performance horses, be sure to check out Prestige Equine and support those who support our youth!

📞 To schedule an appointment with Dr. Courtney, call 863-447-9521.

Please join us in thanking Dr. Courtney McCreary Kempfer and Prestige Equine for investing in the future of our young equestrians! 👏💜🐎