The Petska chain port bit along with an L&W bonnet helps National Finals Rodeo qualifier Emily Miller Beisel keep her long-strided gelding Namgis D 33 (“Chongo”) balanced, low and collected around the turns.

About Chongo’s Bit

“The Petska is a very versatile bit. You can use it for a lot of different things if you want to go ranch in it or rope calves in it. To me it’s not that harsh, but it’s got a lot to offer. You can ride it on a colt, a finished horse, a rope horse or barrel horse. It’s a must-have in everybody’s trailer. I’ve literally got eight of them.”

Mouthpiece: Chain Port

“‘Chongo’ is not a real bendy horse. He rides around soft, but when he runs he’s really strong. With the Petska, I get more break at the poll and he doesn’t get strung out. I think it helps, as big as he is, to keep him gathered up underneath himself.”

Shank: Medium Fixed

“It’s what feels good in my hands. I’m not much of a lifter; my horses aren’t real round in their turns. I take them to a spot. I can get good drive and hind end engagement with that bridle and when I commit to the turn, it’s direct contact. It doesn’t have any gag, so there’s no delay, so I feel like I’m more accurate with my timing in the turns.”

Emily Miller coming into the first barrel
Emily Miller and Namgis D 33 head into the first barrel in a first-round winning run of 13.63 seconds, worth $26,230.77, at the 2019 Wrangler NFR. Photo by Ross Hecox

Curb: Very Loose Chain

“It’s as loose as it’ll go. Chongo is not huge on curb. I’ve honestly thought about changing it to a strap, because when it does hit him is when I get a bit of a head shake, because he just does not like the curb.”

Headgear: L&W Nylon Bonnet

“It helps keep them balanced and low in their turns so they’re not coming up. The bonnet helps keep Chongo a little more grounded and collected. He’s got such a big stride that it helps keep his stride in check around the turn, because I don’t want him to get strung out—especially with his swayback, he can be pretty prone to that.”

This article was originally published in the August 2020 issue of Barrel Horse News magazine.

Author

Blanche Schaefer is an avid barrel racer and managing editor of Barrel Horse News. Email comments or questions to [email protected]

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