Royal - T Ranch

Tracy Hargis passed away peacefully on August 30, 2022 at the age of 54.

She was born April 21, 1968, in Springfield, Missouri to Michael and Barbara Sue (Bagnall) Durnin. She married Stephen Hargis on January 22, 1994 in Las Vegas, and they were partners in life for 28 years, having their son, John-Michael, in 1998.

Tracy founded and operated Royal T Ranch and Royal T Rustics. She trained, boarded and bred horses, but most of all was “Mama T” to many young women to whom she taught English equestrian arts over the years. Most of these women are still part of the family. In recent years, Tracy taught herself sola wood flower coloring and arranging, creating numerous beautiful weddings as well as home décor. She also taught herself woodworking and not only refurbished vintage and antique pieces but built pieces herself from old and re-purposed wood.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents Elmer and Susie Bagnall, and Philip and Evelyn Durnin, as well as her uncle Daniel Bagnall. Tracy is survived by her husband Stephen Hargis; son John-Michael Hargis and partner Soraya Cordero; parents Barbara and Michael Durnin; sister Kelly (Jeffrey) Thieme; nephews Adam Thieme and Joseph Thieme; aunts Jane Durnin and Dorothy Bagnall; uncle Kent (Lindsay) Bagnall; cousins Cathy (Mario) Impemba, Hannah Bagnall, Lydia Bagnall (David) Hardin, Brett (Jenny) Impemba, and Daniel (Meggan) Impemba; step-children Jason (Jeanneace) Hargis, Erica Hargis (Monte ) Conner and Marisa Hargis (partner Zak Rzik); step-grandchildren Aidan Conner, Nolen Conner, Mitchel Conner, Zayne Rzik and Mia Rzik as well as many other friends and relatives.

Per Tracy’s wishes, a Celebration of Life will be held at the Royal T Ranch on Saturday,

September 24 at 1:00 pm. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Rolla

Animal Shelter.

As a trainer/instructor you think about how much your students are learning. What they remember. What makes an impact on them. How they remember you as an instructor. Well today I watched a senior student give a lesson and wow. It’s very humbling to hear your words come out of their mouth. At the same time it’s rewarding and pride filled joy. it is also a great reminder that even if you think they don’t listen or hear you …they do.

Proud moment!

To help with the timing of your half halt in trot...

Imagine your horse’s hind leg as a spring—coil–release, coil–release. Remember that the only moment you can connect to, and add weight to the hind leg is when it’s on the ground. Half halt on the coil moment and release on the next moment.—Rachel Savaadra

Savaadra is a Grand Prix trainer and instructor based in Livermore, California. She has been on the USDF instructor certification faculty for more than 18 years, teaching workshops for trainers around the country.

Illustration by Sandy Rabinowitz

Every time

Yep

Some people seem to be looking at this the wrong way. Think about it from the other way around. You are a great rider if you want to be told the truth, because you want to know the truth and are willing to do the hard work to improve. YOU will be the one that improves the most. Those that think they already know or don't accept and learn from criticism will not progress, and will remain average.

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