From packing horse supplies to personal comfort, loading the rig for a summer run can be daunting.
Each summer, thousands of rodeo rigs hit the road, tearing up the highway on the summer runs. Whether an old hand like six-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier Jessica Routier or a newbie to the process, like Grace Gardiner, it ca be daunting to pack life into a trailer for many days. But that is what it takes to hit big rodeos, cash checks and pursue the dream so many barrel racers have to make it to the Wrangler NFR or to a circuit final.
No matter the end goal, the summer rodeo runs can make or break a barrel racer, like any rodeo athlete. Packing the essentials for life on the road varies from person to person, but the main stays of horse needs, human needs and maintenance needs stay the same.
“Over the years, you learn more and more what to pack to make sure you’re covered,” Routier said.
From crossing mountain ranges to crossing the border, Gardiner and Routier are making their way around the country this summer loaded down with everything a barrel racer needs to live on the road. Here, they talk about the essentials, and how to stay positive while so far from home.
Creature Comforts
When Routier’s rig turns onto U.S. Highway 85 in early June, it leaves her South Dakota ranch loaded down with hay, feed, Routier’s food and all the gear she can include. Over the years, she’s learned that even a 10-day stint from home can eat through resources.
“I pack as much hay and grain as I can possibly fit because I like to keep my horses on the same feed year-round, if possible,” Routier said. “My panels take up a lot of space. I have a hay pod and a hay rack; I actually fill up my hay rack with panels and my hay pod with hay. I’ve seen a lot of horses get in wrecks with electric fence, so I stay away from that. My feed, my panels and my horses are the main essentials.”
Inside, her rig is stuffed with food that isn’t the kind you find at a gas station. Plus, extras of everything, including an extra cowboy hat.
“I pack lots of extra stuff because you never know what the weather or elements you’ll encounter,” she said. “I even pack an extra hat. I’ve been rained on so hard that my hat was still wet the next day.”
When Gardiner, 19, headed out from Texas in April of 2024, she was first bound for California, then Canada, chasing her goal of making the Canadian Finals Rodeo. While it was cool but comfortable in Texas, the norther climate was still freezing. She also learned quickly that being prepared for any and all weather was paramount to her success.
“We packed the fly sheets; one of my horses hates mosquitos and they are insane in Canada [last year],” Gardiner said. “We have slinkys, sheets, heavy blankets, fly sheets, everything that the weather will throw at us. Another thing I learned showing cow horses was to keep rubbing alcohol to help a horse cool down and to sweat more easily when they get hot. We keep it in our rig. You never know what weather is going to do to you or your horse.”
Gardiner’s main travel partner this summer is her mom, Amanda, and the two often host dinner or snacks at their trailer to keep from isolating themselves. Similar to Routier’s thinking, it also allows them to not eat at quick stops. However, they do strive to find new places to eat at each stop.
“My mom and I love to try new foods wherever we are,” Gardiner said. “I’ll text Emily Beisel, we grew up together, and she will send me a list of hospitality or good places to eat at different rodeos. I don’t want to miss out on the things and the joy around the rodeo, and not only at the rodeo.”
Rodeo Ready
Food and clothing are top priority, but when your livelihood, and dreams, are riding on the back of a four-legged animal, other necessity’s require attention. One thing Routier never leaves home without is a veterinary box for emergencies.
“What you put in it varies from person to person, but pain killers, gauze and bandages for emergency situations,” she explained. “It is also a good idea to have a sedative on hand if something happens and you need to sedate a horse in a bad situation. Usually, someone at the rodeo has what you need, but when you don’t have to rely on other people, it helps your peace of mind.”
Safe travels also depend on the trailer. An extra spare tire and keeping her tires aired up are one thing Gardiner focuses on, and Routier never leaves home without her impact wrench in case of a tire problem.
Both also bring more tack than necessary for each horse. Routier is running Fiery Miss West, best known as “Missy,” this summer and hauling Missy’s oldest foal, “Mister,” with her. She has at least two saddles and multiple bridles.
“You never know when something is going to break. I have gone so far as to bring a second bit from the parking area to the rodeo arena, because some are a far distance apart,” Routier said. “I have a little bag that has an extra bridle with the same bit I run in, tape, rubber bands and an extra pair of bell boots. They are random things that, if you’re a long way from the trailer and something breaks, you have what you need.”
She learned the hard way to bring that bag when Missy’s headstall broke before their run in Puyallup, Washington, one year. Thanks to fellow barrel racers, she was able to swap headstalls and still compete. It’s lessons like that learned on the road that stick with her.
Finding the Fun
In Canada, Gardiner laid over between rodeos at new and old friends, and took advantage of opportunities that arose, like taking her gelding, Biddin On Fame, branding. Though she was raised on an Angus ranch in Kansas, the experience was still new.
“Rodeo can get serious, fast. It can be overwhelming,” she said. “Finding the fun in life is important. A lot of things we find important to do traveling to different states and countries, is to find the fun. What are the fun things to see, to do?”
Life on the road can be hard, so seeking joy, is imperative for both Gardiner and Routier. Routier is gone no longer than 10 days, typically, during the summer months.
“I like to come home to my kids,” Routier said. “I may only come home for a day or two, but I come and go. I do not have to pack up everything for the summer like many people do.”
Gardiner started on her long road trip in 2024 in April, and stayed through the summer, which means the rookie was gone from home for a long stretch.
“Something I’ve been super blessed with since I was little was finding family where you are, and my mom is with me on the road. It helps me never feel homesick and she has such a good vibe,” she said. “We truly treat the trailer like our home because we are in it more than the house! I have an entire wall of Bible verses that is next to my mirror in my bathroom. It is hard in the rodeo world, so seeing those verses that remind me I am loved, whether this is my path or not long term. It makes me feel at peace, no matter if I am in Canada, Washington, Oregon, Colorado or anywhere.”
When you hit the road this summer, whether its crossing state lines or a weekend rodeo, be sure to pack extra “just in case” and find the fun while making your run.
