1. Do you come from a rodeo family?
I am a 4th generation rodeo cowgirl and my goal is to continue that legacy!
My great grandma Margie Greenough Henson and great aunt Alice Greenough Ore were lady saddle bronc riders and are in the Pro Rodeo Hall of fame as well as my grandpa Chuck Henson who was a bull fighter in the National Finals Rodeo in 1967 and 1971. My mom Leigh Ann Billingsley is a Women’s Pro Rodeo, Grand Canyon Pro Rodeo, and National Senior Pro Rodeo All Around Champion. She competed in and won titles in the barrel racing and breakaway roping. My dad Eric Billingsley rode saddle broncs and qualified for many years in both the Prairie and Turquoise circuit finals. He won saddle bronc riding titles in the Grand Canyon and New Mexico rodeo associations. He now enjoys team roping at home with my sister and I.
Coming from a family with such rich history in rodeo I of course wanted to compete in rodeos.
2. When did you first start competing in rodeo?
I started competing in junior rodeos when I was 5 years old. I competed and qualified to the junior high national finals in breakaway roping, barrel racing and pole bending. I competed all 4 years of high school rodeo and qualified for nationals twice in the breakaway. In 2016 I ended up 9th in the world for the National High School Finals held in Gillette, WY. I also college rodeoed 3 years, amateur rodeoed and bought my pro rodeo breakaway card in 2020, winning at every level.
3. You compete in several different events. How did you first get started in each?
I started out being mainly a barrel racer until the age of 10. That’s when I started roping off a horse. I had previously competed in the dummy roping, but when I became big enough to handle my horse and a rope was about the age of 10. I liked roping but I loved barrels and running poles. After my good barrel horse got hurt in 2012, I really started to focus on and improve my roping skills. Since then I would have to say my barrel racing days have been put on the back burner.
4. What are your thoughts on breakaway roping now being included in more rodeos? Do you think you may eventually have to choose which event to compete in or will you be able to compete equally in both?
I am hoping one day I will have a competitive barrel horse and rope horse to where I can go and compete in both events in the pro rodeos. But for now I will continue to go a breakaway rope! I am so very thankful for all of the rodeos bring breakaway in.
5. How is training for barrel racing different than breakaway roping? Can you use the same horse for both or do you have different horses for each event you compete in?
I like to start all my horses around the barrels. That way I know I can control their whole body and control their speed. once I have a solid foundation in the barrels, not necessarily going fast, but just having a solid pattern I’ll move them up to the breakaway. For me training a breakaway horse is just making sure you are going slow and you’re queuing your horse the exact same every single time. If you don’t queue, your horse, the exact same every single time It’s very easy for a horse to get frustrated.
When I was in college I did all the events on one horse. And she’s my main breakaway horse right now. She is 16 years old this years so she just doesn’t have the speed around the barrels like she used too. But she still has what it takes to be a badass breakaway horse. I have a young gelding I am currently training in both the breakaway and barrels and he is showing amazing potential in both events. He could be the horse that takes me to the NFR in both events!
6. If you could do a one-on-one lesson with any pro breakaway roper and barrel racer who would it be?
I would love have one-on-one with Lari Dee Guy. She can break down a run better than anyone. A barrel racer I would love to have a one-on-one with would be Sherry Cervi, she rides so correct and never makes any wild moves.
7. What are you goals for the 2024 season
My goals for the 2024 season is to qualify for the Women’s Rodeo World Championships in the breakaway, heading and heeling. WIN the year in the breakaway for the GCPRA. Qualify for the turquoise circuit finals.
Comments