Imagine having so much passion for something that it keeps you awake for nearly two straight days. It’s more than your next paycheck. It’s your way of life and it’s knowing you gave 200%. That is the life a Vitalize® ambassador and professional cowgirl has been living this spring, as she works to earn her top 15 spot in the world position in her sport of rodeo.
During the last week of April, Emily Miller-Beisel, Weatherford, Oklahoma, competed in back-to-back rodeos in Oklahoma and California, thanks to having four horses that give it their all while she gives her all. And in between these two events, she made surprise appearances at a third event in Oklahoma to autograph photographs at her sponsors’ booths, just to help bring smiles to her fans’ faces, even after she had had a challenging week.
“I’d had a tough week. There’s only one winner each week, and not having a good run in California put a damper on my mood. We love this sport, and we love to see our hard work pay off,” Beisel said. “We lose more than we win, but fans, especially the kids don’t see that with social media, all they see are the winning runs. I told them, ‘I’m here because I didn’t make the short round in Clovis, and I’m going to sleep in my own bed tonight.’”
The red-head, four-time NFR qualifier, claims she had her running shoes on to even compete in Clovis. She had a ride time of 5:20 in Oklahoma, a 45-minute drive to the airport and plane that boarded at 6:12. The group in front of her was boarding as she made it to her gate, got on the plane and flew West where her truck, trailer and two of her other horses were waiting to compete in Clovis, where she had great runs the year before. Unfortunately, the horse she planned to ride wasn’t feeling his best, and she didn’t make a qualifying time for the short go. She had two horses waiting in Oklahoma, that qualified for the Ruby Buckle in Guthrie, and 21 hours to make the 1,400 mile-trip. She knew with some dedication and favorable weather, she could drive straight through in 20.
“It wasn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done. I was up for about 40 hours,” she recalls with a chuckle. “But it was nice to sleep in my own bed, and my horses were so excited to get home, too.”
Back in Guthrie, she and Pipewrench did make a good run, and she was able to make it over to the Better Barrel Races (BBR) Word Finals to spend about 90 minutes in the Vitalize® booth.
“It’s always good to interact with everyone. There are lots of kids there, and I like to put smiles on their faces, especially at the end of the week, because a lot of them have had a long week too, just like I did,” she said in her unselfish way.
Of course, she also put a smile on her horses’ faces too. Before that 20-hour trip, her horses received Vitalize® Equine Gel, a prebiotic and nutrient-rich gel for horses designed to give immediate support to the digestive and immune system. The Equine Gel contains AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility, MOS to normalize hindgut microflora, vitamins, organic minerals and antioxidants for maximum support of immune function and stress recovery.
In addition, Beisel gives her horses a good gut feeling every day with the Vitalize® Horse Treats and Vitalize® Alimend®, a liquid product for horses designed to support gastric health and GI tissue, which may relieve occasional gastric issues commonly associated with training, traveling and performance.
From using the Vitalize products to taking time out her very busy schedule, Beisel exemplifies care that comes full circle. She cares for her horse and shows genuine interest in lifting up others by sharing her contagious smile and making others smile, even when she’s had an off-week.
“Rodeo is a marathon, not a sprint. I will never have to look back and wonder ‘what if?’ I know I have given it everything I had, and I will have no regrets,” she said.
