Jason Pettifield/Roundup

Ashley James
Sophomore Ashley James is not much older than the 14-year-old gelding she has been caring for and training the past eight months. "Sprocket is not a 'whatever' kind of horse, he's very spirited," James said. Sprocket is a cross between an Arabian and a Quarter Horse and his original name was "Gus." "That name did not fit his personality," she said. James saved her own money, $2,400, earned working at the Pine Ice Company, to purchase Sprocket. He is her first horse and she admits owning a horse takes more work than she imagined, at least three to four hours a day. Rope-broke when she bought him, Sprocket is being trained to compete in barrel races and pole bending. Later, the two will learn goat tying, and breakaway calf roping. James is part of 4-H and Future Farmers of America. She plans to compete with Sprocket on the high school rodeo circuit.