Michael Mahaffey has been associate editor of Barrel Horse News since December 2008. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with degrees in journalism and psychology and worked for many years as a counselor to abused and at-risk youth before following his passion for writing. He served as an adjunct professor in OU’s College of Journalism for five years before joining the BHN staff, and not having grown up around horses, brings a unique perspective to his coverage of barrel racing and the horse industry at large.