Dottie Bollinger
15 year old faithful barrel racer
Hometown: Mifflinburg, PA
Riding Style: Western
Specific Styles: Barrel Racing
Primary Horse’s Name: Sunny
BIO
I am Dottie Bollinger from the small town of Mifflinburg Pennsylvania. I own three horses, one that is being competed on regularly and the other two are young and in training. I paid for these horses myself with my hard work over the years. I even ended up getting a job at a neighboring dairy farm milking cows to pay for this expensive addiction. I compete at least one weekend a month April-October in KJRA (Keystone Junior Rodeo Association) and then over the winter I run open barrel races where we continually win and place in the top five in poles as well as barrels. I also have a strong love for training young colts for barrels. My trainer fully trusts my skills with the young horses and has me run some of her top colts in futurity races. With one of her colts I got PA 4-H Junior Horse Barrel Futurity State Champion. I also finished third all around in poles in my rodeo association and third in the state for 4-H poles with my main horse Sunny. For a year I also cared for and trained my trainer’s Gypsy drum horse. He broadened my riding experiences while I learned the art of dressage as I was training him in that discipline.
One of my major role models would be Amberly Snyder. Her passion and determination inspire me greatly. I always think that if she can ride and excel so greatly while being paralyzed then there is no reason I cannot either. When I was 6 I had my whole left side of my face shattered by my pap’s horse. Now I have four metal plates replacing the lost bone from my skull. I was so lucky to still be able to see and have a fully functioning brain. I feel that even though a horse did this to me and I chose to still love and compete on these amazing animals is truly from the grace of God. He has a plan for me and I am living it day by day. I love these creatures and telling others about how amazing they really are!
Follow me on social media!
Instagram: @dottieee_003