Dr. Louder’s Girls – Up and Coming Barrel Racers

Submitted by Dr. Craig Louder, DVM, New Plymouth, ID

It started with a pony that, for a moment, wasn’t even wanted.  “I wanted a kitten like Clara had received for her birthday,” says older sister Cora, now age 12.  Soon enough, Cora was spending every chance she could riding on the buckskin Welsh pony she had received for her 5^th birthday.  Just over a year later, another pony was added to the mix—this time for Clara, who was 3 at the time and just in time for junior rodeo season.  While neither of the girls’ parents rodeoed, Cora and Clara were hooked from the beginning.  “I just like riding horses fast,” says Clara, age 9. While Clara started out on a lead line, both girls quickly moved up to full-size horses as their desire for speed and winning grew.

Just over a year ago, however, an accident forced the purchase of a new horse.  Bud, Clara’s bay gelding, got his leg caught in some wire and cut up his leg.  Not sure how long he would be out, the family began looking for another horse for Clara.  JL Red River, a 15-year-old AQHA gelding, was purchased off the internet, and the two connected immediately.  River had previously been ridden at the college and professional levels, but an injury to his deep digital flexor had sidelined him for over a year.  Within weeks, Clara and River had won multiple belt buckles and began placing in the 1D for local jackpots in the open.  Concern that the old injury would cause issues led their veterinarian, who happens to be their father, to look at AniCell Biotech’s products.  “I wanted something that wasn’t just going to mask the problem, but something that could help heal it,” says veterinarian/dad Craig.  “There is no such thing as a benign injection, and injecting directly into the joint capsule also presents risk.  The ease of a subcutaneous injection that would help regenerate tissues with stem cells appealed to me.” River and Cora’s new horse, Sparky, both received treatment with AniMatrX D.

The treatment appears to be working, as Clara and River got off to a fast start in 2025, cashing checks in the 1D in multiple winter jackpots.  But Clara isn’t the only one enjoying success in the arena this year.  Cora recently placed in the top 15 at the annual Intermountain Icebreaker Rodeo in Ogden, Utah, one of the largest high school and junior high school rodeos in the country.  Coupled with some 1D finishes of her own, Cora is excited for the upcoming junior high season.  In addition, both girls are looking forward to competing in the Idaho Cowboy Association rodeos in Idaho and Oregon this summer.

These two have come a long way since starting on lead line ponies.

Follow Cora and Clara Louder on Instagram at Louder.Barrel.Racing and Facebook at Louder Barrel Racing