About Me

I have been riding horses since I can remember.  My Mom enrolled me in english riding lessons when I was five.  I showed in halter, showmanship, western pleasure, horsemanship and english classes until I was 15.  At age 10 I finally convinced my Mom to buy me a barrel horse.  I loved it!  I loved the speed.  Going fast appealed to me rather than paying for a mans opinion and being judged.   I competed in youth rodeos, quarter horse shows and barrel races.  At 15, I started roping steers.  I took to heading steers, like a duck to water, thanks in part to my equine partner, Red Eye Jack aka Roanie.  I continued rodeoing through my youth and won many saddles, buckles and other prizes.  As my "youth" career came to an end I started training my own horses.  I worked for the late Gail Shanahan for one year.  I continue to use the knowledge gained from my experiences in training broke, rideable horses.  Each one of my horses, past and present, teach me something new everyday.  I enjoy sharing my knowledge and love of horses with youth and adults alike. 

 

Melinda Harllee 1978 or 79 preparing for my first schooling show at Vance View Stables in San Antonio, Texas

My first barrel horse Royal Bar Win "Corky" winning the AQHA youth 13 & under Barrels at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo.  I purchased Corky from the late Gail (Cardwell) Shanahan in 1983.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Me and Dial 41000 "Rusty" at an AQHA show in Austin, Texas in 1986. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Me and "Diablo" at the Lester Meier open Rodeo in Johnson City, Texas in 1995.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Me and Phoebes Smoker "George" in the Derby at the San Antonio Stock Show in 1993.  I purchased George from Chris and Kaki Lybbert.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here I am, at the Houston Livestock Show, roping with JD Yates in the AQHA Senior Heading on Red Eye Jack "Roanie".  I won 6th out of 48 horses!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is me and The PH Factor "PH" at the 1993 YRA Finals in Giddings, Texas.  We did not hit this barrel - we won money with this run!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Me and Roanie running poles in Brady, Texas at the Lester Meier Youth Rodeo.  I won 12 All Around Saddles on this horse! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roanie and I accepting our Circuit Award Buckles at Gaudalupe Valley Quarter Horse Breeders Show in Seguin, Texas. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Me and Roanie in the Goat Tying at the 1991 Texas High School State Finals in Abilene, Texas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YRA Bellville, Texas 1993

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Me and Johnny Grimes roping a 6.5 at the Lester Meier Youth Rodeo in Georgetown, Texas in 1991.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1991 Texas State High School Finals Abilene, Texas