TEXARKANA, Ark. - As regular participant in the annual Runnin' WJ Barrel Race, Mississippi resident Allison Crabb said she grew to love the sport, but only after a physical accident steered her in that direction.
"When I was growing up I loved horses, but I also loved competing in both basketball and softball in middle school and high school" Crabb said. "But I blew my knee out when I was 16 and I had to have extensive surgery. I was getting depressed, so mom asked me 'why don't you become competitive in horse riding?'"
For Crabb, her mom's advice proved incredibly valuable.
"That was 20 years ago and to this day, I still have fun doing this," she said, "It's just a little more expensive, but I still love doing this."
Crabb said after her knee healed by age 18 she got a horse trainer to help with riding.
"I started barrel racing when I was about 18, but my first horse got injured after a fall."
However, Crabb remained undaunted, even after loosing her first horse, and enrolled in college as a nursing student. From there, she went onto become a registered nurse working in an emergency room.
"After getting this job, I was able to save money and eventually buy another horse, and from that point onward, I've had her ever since," Crabb said, pointing to her horse at the Four States Fairgrounds - one she named Dancer.
"She is about 13 years old now and she's been with me to about 50 barrel races we've been to all over the country."
Initially born in Minnesota, Crabb said she moved to Mississippi when she was 6 years old and has lived there ever since.
"I love being around horses and I'm now in the process of getting a professional rodeo permit," she said.