Myra Harshbarger
Hometown: Meshoppen, PA
Specific Styles: Barrel Racing
Primary Horse’s Name: “Nu Lonestar “Brody””
BIO
My name is Myra Harshbarger. I’m from a little town called Meshoppen, Pennsylvania. I’m 15 years old and started out as many little girls do, with a passion for horses. My father purchased my first horse when I was 2 years old, we owned and raised beef cows and he believed every little girl should have a horse. I began taking riding lessons at the ripe age of 5. I started out riding English, then switched to western pleasure. After going to a local gymkhana to watch a friend compete, I had fallen in love with barrel racing. I decided then that I was going to become a barrel racer. I found a great local trainer, and my mom purchased a great little dun mare for me to learn on at the age of 11. The athleticism and will-power this little mare showed me made me fall in love even harder with the sport. A year later, I began showing at the local barrel shows and gymkhanas. In my first year, I was the 2013 NETPA Small Fry Champion. Gradually I started moving to bigger races and even some rodeos. In 2014 & 2015 I was named the KJRA 11-14 Girls Barrel Racing Reserve Champion. In 2014 I purchased a step up horse, the horse I run now. His name is Brody. And while we are STILL getting the hang of things and figuring each other out, he makes sure I have a blast every time I throw a leg over him. He takes great care of me in and out of the arena. One of my biggest role models is Fallon Taylor. She has taught me to ignore what everyone else thinks or says, and focus on you. And it’s okay to be different or stand out. I also admire Amberley Snyder. Amberley has showed me that no matter the struggle or the situation, there’s always a way to do what you love. Keep pushing, the comeback is always greater than the setback. A goal of mine I would love to accomplish is to qualify for NBHA World Championships. Brody and I have been training and working hard in hopes of of achieving this goal.
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Instagram: Myra Harshbarger
