Story by Lindsay Humphrey
Usually hovering in the top 30 in the WPRA standings, Michelle Darling decided it was time to take her dream of making the NFR seriously in 2022. By mid-summer, she catapulted into the top 15 in the world. Essentially, Michelle grew up in a sale barn while her dad bought their next great project horse. “My dad would get problem horses and we’d fix them and then sell them,” she said. “Before getting to high school, I was never mounted on anything that great. I think that’s why I can ride a wide array of horses now.” After graduating from the OKYRAs, Michelle found herself drawn to horses with Frenchmans Guy in their lineage. “Those horses have always been good to me. I grew up training them and I just get along with them really well.”
It wasn’t uncommon for Michelle to have a string of 2- and 3-year-old colts to ride for outside clients. That’s how she paid her fees for junior rodeo and into high school. She then went on to compete well in open rodeos while pursuing her associate’s degree in science. “After having my son – Talon now 18 – I went back to riding horses and working part time at the hospital. I didn’t buy my permit until I was about 23.” It shouldn’t be shocking that another Frenchmans Guy helped Michelle fill it. It didn’t take long for training to become Michelle’s full-time gig. A natural-born extrovert, Michelle had dreams outside the arena that competed for her attention in recent years. “Just before I headed out west this summer, I graduated as a licensed practical nurse [LPN]. It was a busy year leading up to the summer run, but I decided that Martini and I aren’t getting any younger.”
Even though Michelle is enjoying her time out on the rodeo trail, she misses home. She’s lucky that she brought a piece of it with her for the summer. “My daughter [Demi, 7] is my traveling partner. I have to give a big shoutout to my husband [Cody] who’s holding down the fort back at home. Without his support, I wouldn’t be out here.” Cody has Talon and 9-year-old Case at home living the bachelor life while the girls turn and burn on the road and in the arena. And since life doesn’t stop for a rodeo entry, they’re keeping all the horses at home happy and healthy. “It really takes an army to do this. I’m lucky that I have a few people who can keep riding colts for me while I’m gone.”
Even though Michelle’s tried her hand at just about all the events from the back of a horse, barrel racing was her niche from the beginning. “I tied goats, ran poles and roped a bit, but barrel racing is what I’ve always been good at. When I started winning and then figured out how to fix problem horses, I liked it even more.” Your name in lights for first place is sweet as honey but watching someone win on a horse she trained is the best compliment you can give Michelle. “I want people to be able to come behind me and win on those horses that I trained. Part of being a trainer is recognizing when someone else can ride a certain horse better than I can and handing the reins over to them.”
Someday soon, those reins will be made by 5 Star Equine. “They’re coming out with a tack line and I’m excited about that. Even though I get product from them as a sponsored athlete, I still spend money with them because they have such a great product.” Michelle’s professional relationship with 5 Star began just four years ago, but she’s ridden the product for even longer. “I love their pads because they hold their shape and they don’t wear out. They also offer different thicknesses so you can get just the right fit for your horse and saddle.” Since using 5 Star pads Michelle can’t recall having any issues with sore backs. One of her favorite pads is over 6 years old and is still gets thrown on the colts daily. Some might think the sport boots are intimidating because of the extra straps, but that’s exactly what Michelle likes about them best. “The boots are little a different, but once you figure them out, they’re super easy. I think the extra straps support the leg a lot better. I just really love their products and their customer service is second-to-none. They drop ship whatever I need no matter where I’m at on the road.”
