Callie Ward traces her family's deep connection with horses through her grandparents. Her grandparents, celebrating over 50 years of marriage, bought their first horse shortly after tying the knot. The couple started in the world of trail riding, spending countless hours enjoying the companionship of their trail mounts. Her uncle, Rod VanGundy, pioneered barrel racing in the family, holding one of the earliest NBHA memberships, with the newer concept of divisions in racing. Callie's parents, Suzy and her then horse-naive father, Pete, expanded the family's involvement in barrel racing. Her uncle acquiring the stallion Sunfrost Bronsin, a pivotal figure in their success.
Callie's journey into the world of horse training began with project horses that her mom trained during her childhood. At 13, her parents decided to invest in her passion, purchasing a finished horse named Si. Si was able to show Callie the ropes, never hitting a barrel in the years they owned him and consistently winning 4D checks. Si ignited Callie's love for the sport and motivated her to improve.
Callie worked with the family stallion (Frosty), gaining further experience. She saved up money to buy a yearling, Ethel (Bronzed Sun Dazzle), from their stallion, with the goal of breaking and starting her herself. Despite her limited knowledge at the age of 15, Callie's efforts were successful, and Ethel went on to achieve success with one of her lesson kids, Kaylynn Thompson. Her journey continued when she stumbled upon a mare named Jigg on Facebook, a daughter of Flit To Kill. Purchasing Jigg, Callie trained her from a scrawny three-year-old to a successful barrel racer within a few months. Jigg eventually found a forever home with another lesson kid, Macie Brumfield.
During this time, Callie also competed with a mare named Ice (Frostys Easy Jet Gal), trained by her mom, winning numerous competitions. Despite facing challenges, Ice taught Callie how to win and lose graciously. Recalling a challenging weekend at Springfield during a state show, Callie had run Ice three times and faced disappointment with every run, leaving her frustrated. Determined to turn things around, she was already entered in the youth, one last chance at reaching the finals. As Callie warmed up Ice, she leaned down and spoke to her, expressing regret for the previous mistakes but promising to give their best in the upcoming run. In a moment of synchronicity, they stopped the clock with an impressive 15.5 seconds – the second fastest time of the entire weekend. This run became a cherished memory for Callie, and a special horse that not only brought victories but also taught her how to be resilient.
Callie's passion for training horses grew, even during her senior year of high school, she would had rather ride than go to school functions. She briefly attended college, Callie eventually embraced her true calling and began breaking colts for others after graduating high school. She believes that merely loving the thrill of winning is insufficient because success is never a guaranteed outcome; more often than not, disappointment is part of the journey. Callie emphasizes the importance of embracing the entire process, finding joy in the small victories, and understanding that the daily routine of going to the barn and engaging in seemingly mundane tasks is an important aspect of the passion. For Callie, what might be considered boring is, in fact, what she thrives on, the commitment to the ongoing journey.
In Callie's approach to selecting horse prospects, she emphasizes a combination of proven pedigree, trainable temperament, and the heart to win. She values horses with a pedigree that excels in various atmospheres, making them suitable for both professionals and amateurs. She prefers horses around 15.1-2 hands, appreciating their cowiness to hunt a barrel independently. Conformation-wise, Callie looks for a shorter back, a big hip, and smaller shoulders to ensure they aren't as heavy in the front end. However, the key factor for her is the horse's drive and desire to win, considering competition too fierce to force such motivation. Callie shares her success with horses that others might overlook, emphasizing the importance of being open-minded and willing to learn. Her training program is tailored to each horse's individual strengths and weaknesses rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Callie's preference for mares stems from her better rapport with them and their tendency to possess the necessary fire and spirit for success in barrel racing.
Callie Ward's stud prospect, Slick Willie, holds a distinguished pedigree as an own son of Slick By Design and out of a daughter of FirewaterOnTheRocks, with Nonstop Jet on the bottom side.Both Slick By Design and FirewaterOnTheRocks were futurity standouts, excelling in supershow atmospheres as well as top rodeo horses and successful sires. She acknowledges that while Willie represents her ideal, she remains open to horses with good pedigrees, provided they show promise and are reasonably priced. Callie's choice of Willie is rooted in the expectation that such a pedigree should yield horses with exceptional minds, a quality Willie possesses. Callie fondly recalls Paula (DS Watch Me Jet) as the best horse she ever trained. Acquiring Paula in rough shape, Callie witnessed her transformation into a stunning horse with a fiery spirit and an equal determination to win.
In Callie's horse-buying experiences, she has taken risks by purchasing numerous horses sight unseen. These horses often exhibit imperfections such as scars on their legs, being cowhocked and pigeon-toed, having decent but not exceptional breeding, being on the smaller side, and perhaps even appearing a bit ugly. Despite these initial drawbacks, Callie has discovered many outstanding horses through this unconventional approach. Callie has been told by a friend, Morgan Henning, these horses may thrive under Callie's care because she rescues them, a notion Callie finds humorous. While acknowledging the element of luck in her choices, Callie believes that anyone, regardless of financial constraints or opportunities can follow a similar path, emphasizing the importance of a learning mindset. She encourages flexibility in training methods, sharing that her program involves an open mind when training to each horse's unique qualities rather than adhering strictly to a predefined approach.
In 2024, Callie anticipates a bustling year encompassing various parts of her life. The primary focus is on expanding her business and seasoning her colts. Despite the commitments of building a house and getting married, travel plans may be limited, with the primary goal of achieving success with the colts before venturing into larger shows. Callie's goals extend beyond individual wins or jackpots; she envisions broader achievements. Wearing multiple hats, Callie manages a diverse array of responsibilities, and now caring for the three stallions at her facility – JD Rockn Frosty Wood, which is owned by her fiance Simon and his mom; Penny. Simon and Callie are expecting the first baby from him this year, out of Paula's mom. The old man Frosty (Sunfrost Bronsin), and Willie, who she has strategic breeding plans for, intended for limited breeding this year before promotional efforts during his futurity year.
Callie also manages a selective lesson program, emphasizing quality help for each kid's goals. The ultimate goal centers around futurities, with two horses slated for this year, overcoming minor setbacks to be ready for the upcoming season. While grateful for her current position, Callie maintains an ambitious outlook, always aspiring for greater achievements and refusing to become complacent. Her love for the horses themselves exceeds her passion for victories, with a particular joy from witnessing the development of young horses. As part of the bigger picture, Callie aims to prepare Willie for the juvenile, breed a few mares to him, advance the futurity horses, and get her older horses consistently winning.
Simon plays a crucial role in the operation, providing valuable support to Callie. His ability to keep her grounded during the stress of managing various responsibilities is noteworthy. Simon actively engages in riding, tackling challenging horses when Callie needs him to. Despite differing riding styles, the two have successfully integrated their ideas, leading to mutual improvement. While Simon's preference leans toward winning, complementing Callie's love for training, their dynamic partnership works well together. A significant change for the upcoming year involves both of them making the business more collaborative, Additionally, it's worth noting that Simon will be taking Callie's last name after their wedding.