Local nurses raise national champion barrel horse

Have you seen the recent cover of Barrel Horse News? Vauna Walker is on the page with the horse she trains, Famous Shiney Hiney. Shiney is the 2015 World Futurity Champion, which means this Idaho horse, ridden by a trainer from Pingree, is the best barrel horse in the world.

Walker says Shiney is the real deal. “She has looks, smarts, and a great disposition.”

Recently, in Oklahoma, Shiney won the Barrel Futurities of America. In 15.246 seconds, she won a title and $42,000.

“She runs with her ears up. She runs with her head up. It’s a little easier to ride on the turns when she has her head up. Balance is smoother and she’s just easier to ride,” says Walker.

Vauna, her husband Randy, and owner Sheila Hill are good friends. Hill owns Shiney, and the Walker’s train her. It’s obviously a winning combination.

“We’ve worked really hard on the genetics of these horses,” says Randy Walker. “Most of them have some ‘Dash ta Fame’ blood in them, and it fits our training program.”

“She couldn’t go wrong with the racing world,” adds Hill. ” She’s meant to do what she’s doing.”

Looks like Shiney has a big rodeo future ahead of her. Hill plans to start riding barrels in the Wilderness Circuit this summer. We asked Vauna if it will be hard to give Shiney up.

“Well, she’s going to Sheila. I’ll get to see her. It’s all going to be good, and Sheila doesn’t sound like she’s going to get rid of her,” says Walker.

“Oh, no,no,no. Once I get them on my place, they don’t leave. I have so many horses. I keep them. She’s worth a lot of money and I can make money with her offspring and keep her,” says Hill.

Watch for Sheila Hill and Vauna Walker this summer at local rodeos. They’ll be the girls with the new shiny belt buckles.