Equine VIP joined up with Cavalia’s trick riding – roper Spencer Rose. It’s apparent how much Spencer is enjoying her career and life on the road with Cavalia. Spencer shares her passion, commitment and story with Equine VIP.
LET’S START AT THE BEGINNING. HOW DID YOU LEARN TRICK RIDING AND ROPING?
My background is Western riding and I knew something about trick roping. I wanted to learn the basics of trick riding so I went to camp, Riata Ranch, in Exeter, CA. The routines were simple, slow and very safe –but still scary for me. For example, I learned how to sit on a horse’s neck and ride the rear of a horse. I learned how to combine trick riding and roping there.
WHAT WAS THE NEXT STEP AFTER YOU LEARNED THE BASIC TRICKS?
It started as just a hobby for me on Saturday afternoons, until I saw the performance team at Riata Ranch. Once I saw how good that team was, I was determined to be a part of it. I am very strong-minded, so I practiced and trained until I made the team.
WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO GO PROFESSIONAL?
Three girls from the Riata Ranch performance team had joined Cavalia, but later left the company. So Cavalia started looking for a female roper, which is hard to find. My horse had passed away and about that same time, Jennifer Nicholson the coach for Riata Ranch’s performance team, felt I was ready to try
out for Cavalia.
WHAT TYPE OF HORSE IS USED FOR TRICK RIDING?
My co-star at Cavalia, Tad, is a big stocky horse. Since I’m tall, it’s important to find a horse that matched my size and is strong. Tad has to handle my hanging off his side along with jumping on and off his back. I think temperament is also very important. I work on my bond with Tad every day because I can’t
worry about what he is going to do and I want him to enjoy his work too.
DO YOU HAVE TO BE IN GOOD PHYSICAL SHAPE FOR TRICK RIDING?
I am a professional, so it’s important to me to keep in good shape all the time. When I was first learning trick riding one of our coaches used to make me do 10 push-ups if I forgot to ride with my heels down. And if I didn’t do the 10 push-ups correctly, I had to do ten more! I still think about riding correctly or I make myself do 10 push-ups!
DOES TAD EVER GET BORED WITH THE ROUTINES AND PATTERNS?
If Tad has a bad day, it’s my job to try and cheer him up. I like to change his routine everyday so he has fun. At the end of exercising him, I always try and end up on a good note by doing something I know he likes to do, like a turn on the hind quarters.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR OUR READERS INTERESTED IN TRYING OUT FOR CAVALIA?
Sure! Don’t try trick riding and roping alone. I was fortunate enough to go to Riata Ranch where an experienced coach could guide and teach me the basics. I also think bonding with your horse is so important whether you are trick riding or trail riding. Lastly, you have to be passionate about it.
I live, breath and eat my work with Tad and Cavalia everyday and love it!
