The Melby family has been doing great in the MRA this year. Ryan, Colton and Cayla are looking forward to competing at the Red Horse Ranch, seeing all their family and friends!

Currently Ryan is sitting second in the Steer Wrestling.
Colton is 1st in the breakaway and 4th in the men’s all around at age 16 and has
Cayla  is 2nd in the women’s all around at age 14

Ryan will be stopping at Los Gauchos Ranch now owned by Mike and Teresa Mcguire. This Wednesday and Thursday giving lessons please call Amy 218-766-9328 or Diane 218-766-4616 if your interested.

Brian Peterson the Martin saddle maker and his wife Tracy a equine sports message therapist will be here at the store March 24th during our barrel race to do saddle fittings.

Tracy Brian’s wife Equine Sports message therapist has lots of information about the horses muscles and how a great fitting saddle affects a horses performance. Equine Sports message  is very important for techniques for the purpose of increasing circulation, relaxing muscle spasms, relieving tension, enhancing muscle tone, and increasing range of motion in high performance horses.

A Bit of Tack has a large selection of  Martin Saddles to chose from.  They will be taking appointments to see that every one gets quality time . Please give them a call to set up your appointment today 218-445-5849

Be sure to stop in the store they have a large selection of new products for spring and to help you have a great barrel racing season. You can also shop on line at www.abitoftackmn.com

We are all hoping to see Jane advance  and we need everyone to Pray and think positive as we know she can do it!

The top four from each event of the semifinal rounds will advance to the RodeoHouston BP Super Series Championship, Saturday, March 17. The remaining six from each event in the two semifinals will compete in the Wild Card Round, Friday, March 16, where the top two from each event will advance to the RodeoHouston BP Super Series Championship. Each event champion will walk away with a $50,000 payout in addition to other winnings.

Reasons To Attend A Jane Melby barrel horse clinic

• Learn from a top professional barrel racer, 2 time world champion & 2011 NFR 3 rounds gold buckle winner!
• Get you and your horse tuned and ready for the 2012 season.
• Get the perfect approach to each barrel.
• Fast snappy turns with fewer strides between barrels.
• How to prepare your horse and yourself for race day.
• How to keep your horse in top physical and mental condition throughout the racing season.
• Staying calm when the heat is on at the large races.
• Clinics are geared towards all levels of riding from just getting started to advanced level.
• Each rider gets one on one time with Jane at every clinic.
• Over 21 years of teaching and lessons.
• Learn from the best to become the best!
• These are currently the only clinics Jane has planned for the 2012 season.

Where can you attend a Jane Melby Barrel Racing Clinic?

• Southern Oklahoma April 5th – April 7th More Information Reserve your spot today612-743-4360
• Livingston Montana April 14th & 15th – More Information Reserve your spot today 406-224-3590
• Verndale, MN April 18th – April 20th – More Information Full
• Granite Falls Minnesota April 27th – April 29th Full
• Laramie, Wyoming May 4th-May 6th Reserve your spot today 307-460-1496

New Training Center in Burneyville, OK , provides Barrel Horse Clinics Jane Melby, returns to Northern Minnesota to teach students, mid April February 29, 2012 – Last December Jane Melby made history by being the first Minnesota Barrel Racer to qualify  for the elite Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. While in Las Vegas she won three separate gorounds earning $60,000 along with three gold buckles during the 10 day “SuperBowl” of Professional Rodeo. Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) member plans to forgo rodeo competition to teach clinics during April. Her Barrel Horse Clinics are scheduled in OK, MN, WY and MT. Melby will share her knowledge and experience with students across the country. The first opportunity is April 5-7, 2012 outside Mariette, OK. “I enjoy helping others,” she emphasized from her new residence in Southern Oklahoma. “The whole family will teach the Oklahoma clinic. It is open to all ages. The bonus is (students receive) four instructors for the price of one,” she replied. The cost is $350 per student and registration details are available via www.janemelby.com. She relocated to Oklahoma from Backus, MN right after the new year with her family. Melby will be teaching, coaching and instructing during the Mariette, OK clinic. Team Melby is comprised of herself and three other very accomplished rodeo athletes. Jane’s husband, Ryan is a Great Lakes Circuit Qualifier in Steer Wrestling and a 20 year veteran cowboy winning many All Around titles in Minnesota. The remaining two members are their children Colton and Cayla. Both have won numerous titles at the state and national level. Colton is the reigning 2011 National Jr. High Rodeo Finals (NJHRF) Champion Ribbon Roper. He also holds state titles in Breakaway Roping, Team Roping, Goat Tying and the 2011 Minnesota Jr. High Rodeo Association (MJHRA) All Around Cowboy. The youngest team member Cayla already has 12 titles under her belt. She won the 2010 NJHRF Champion Barrel Racer title along with the 2010 MJHRA Rookie Cowgirl and 2010 All Around Cowgirl . Students attending Jane’s clinic will learn firsthand on foot and horseback. “Most people make the mistakes on the ground as on the horse,” stated Melby. This technique allows for riders to practice walking and realizing how they actually ride. Melby appreciates when her students participates. “I also spend a lot of time on discussions,” replied Melby “The more questions the students ask the more I can answer. The more everyone learns.” “What you put into a clinic is what you get out of it as a student,” encourages Melby. According to Melby, one of the most common things that barrel racers miss is they don’t understand how to ride the front end and the hind end. “Most barrels that are hit are rider failure.” stated Melby. The third clinic will be held in Livingston, MT April 14-15, 2012 followed by Verndale, MN April 18-20, 2012; Granite Falls, MN April 27-29 and finally Laramie, WY on May 4-6, 2012. For more information on attending a clinic visit

http://www.janemelby.com/Barrel_Horse_Training.php

Recap on January and FebruaryThis past weekend Melby qualified for the Finals at the San Antonio Livestock Show & Rodeo. This was her fourth appearance at San Antonio since 2003. “San Antonio Livestock Show & Rodeo has always treated me good! I’ve been looking forward to the hospitality they provide. Winning money is a bonus
and making the finals is another added bonus, ” she texted prior to the Saturday night performance. Melby was the second Barrel Racer out on Saturday February 25, 2011 and tipped the first barrel. The field of Barrel Racers were certainly the cream of the crop. Ironically, the first two ladies tipped barrels followed by another breaking the pattern and the final contestant tipping two barrels. Later Melby posted to facebook, “First time ever I felt like crying after hitting a barrel.” Melby enjoys rodeo and her positive attitude is evident. Students attending one of her clinics will have the opportunity to learn. Compared to last year Melby had already entered 20 rodeos by this timeframe. To date she has only competed in five. When asked about making the 2012 WNFR she replied, “It doesn’t matter what you have won now but what you have won the end of September.” Melby plans to save her horse “Beauty” for the bigger rodeos including a trip to the Calgary Stampede later this summer. Rodeo fans can watch her family members compete March 23-24, 2012 at the Minnesota Rodeo Finals. She will be running in Texas competing in Houston and Austin. “I’ll always be from Minnesota in my heart,” replied Melby. Since making history at the WNFR Melby is another aspect of Rodeo the fans. “I never realized how excited the fans get. I always looked at it in different eyes,” she replied. Melby described how fans come up to her and say “Are you Jane Melby? Can I get a picture with you?” When Melby isn’t in the rodeo arena, signing autographs or traveling she spends her days at her new Oklahoma Ranch. She responded, “I’m in the barn riding, taking care of or answering horse questions all day long.”

Media Contact
Gretchen Allison Kirchmann
gretchen@kirchmannmediagroup.com