We bought our first Sparky in 2004 and have upgraded twice since then. We don't miss our practice steers at all! Initally, we used Sparky to keep tuned up and more or less keep our horses in shape. But we recently had the opportunity to use Sparky as a training tool for a new horse my husband gave me as a Christmas present in 2005. Chico, a bay roan, was 5 years old at the time. We didnt' plan to do much with him until he filled out and got a little more size on him. All that changed just 3 months later when I had to retire my 19 year old heel horse because of a bone chip in his knee. So we started pushing Chico. I roped Sparky 3 or 4 weeks before moving Chico on to live steers. This gave both of us a chance to get used to each other under more "controlled" runs. With Chico being a young horse, he was relying on me to tell him what to do and I started riding him the way I did my old horse, which wasn't working. Roping Sparky allowed me to work on myself and get used to doing things different from the way I had for the past 10 years.
Once we started roping steers, I saw areas where we still needed improvement. Since you can simulate just about any type of run with Sparky, you can really concentrate on problem areas. For instance, I've always had trouble with steers that run to the left side of the arena. I also have a tendency to cut my loop short when I come in too tight - I don't always follow thru. With Sparky we can practice these type runs until we get it right. Another bad habit I had gotten into with my old heel horse was cutting the corner and I found myself doing the same thing on Chico. So I starte holding him out on Sparky - then when we roped steers I was more conscious of what I needed to do and Chico had a better idea of what I wanted from him. Its very rewarding to take what you've practice on Sparky, apply it to live steers and have it all come together.
In October, 2005, we went to a Booger Barter Roping in Grove, OK. This as Chico's second roping competition. I was really pleased with the results - not just because I won a saddle for being the highest placing female- but out of almost 1200 teams Chico and I finished 11th! In 2006, we won two USTRC Gold Spur Shootouts and placed in a few other ropings along the way. December 2006, I was invited to compete in the Booger Barter Sponsor Showdown Roping in Glenrose, Texas - we won this ropng and received another saddle - what more can I say ! Just that I think Sparky is an awesome roping tool. I realize Chico has a lot more seasoning ahead, but you can bet that we will continue to use Sparky to help us get there !! |
| My name is Barbara Garcia and I was not lucky enough to be able to start team roping earlier in my life. My son , Joseph, came first and it was not until I married Johnny Garcia that my son and myself could learn to rope. I am not twenty years old and the thought of running "wide open" down the pen in pursuit of a steer really scared me. I also ride a young horse, which goes against all of the rules, and we both needed to learn under a more controlled environment. Johnny brought home a Sparky and we love it. I could work on my horse postion and my swing at any desired speed. I can tell you that Sparky helped me win 13th place at the Booger Bart #6 roping in Glen Rose, TX and I also won the "Highest Placing Women's Heeling" saddle in the #9 roping that was also held New Year's Weekend. My horse and myself could not have gotten to this point within 2 years without the help of Sparky. |
