1. Do you come from a rodeo family? When did you first start competing in barrel racing?
I am a first generation cowgirl. I grew up riding horses and my parents had us do horse 4-H and riding club. That is where I started my love for speed events, mainly barrels. I began competing at the 4-H shows and excelled. I entered my first NBHA barrel race at 8 years old. My next door neighbor was actually a barrel racer and coached me for 5 years, until she moved. My passion grew exponentially as I got older.
2. Did you ever compete in any other events?
As a kid, I did Jr. Rodeos and competed in pole bending, and goat tying as well. Goat tying proved to be a challenge for my very uncoordinated self.
3. You've had some setbacks and heartbreak over the last few years with your horses and almost made you want to quit. Can you tell us a bit more what happened with your horses?
In 2021 I had a mare diagnosed with CVCM (a genetic neurological disorder that affects the spinal cord) and ultimately was advised to discontinue competition so she was retired. She had a 5 year old son that was diagnosed with the same disorder, and he was my up and coming barrel horse. He was retired before he could even be patterned or used competitively. A few months before, my other mare had a freak accident and as a result developed ringbone and was also retired. My older mare carried us for a year and then was diagnosed with navicular. While that is manageable, I made the decision to retire her comfortably and use her only for pleasure riding and breeding.
4. I'm sure many in the rodeo community can relate to the heartbreak of having to medically retire their horse unexpectedly. Mentally losing not one but three horses had to be extremely tough especially with the additional heartbreak of losing family members. How did you overcome that to get back to competing?
Passion. This isn't just a hobby, but a way of life. If rodeo/barrel racing has taught me one thing, it's that you never know when it will be the end so you better enjoy it and do what is necessary to keep your passion alive while you can. I love horses, the sport, and challenge.
5. What has the rebuilding process been like? You have a new horse Phoebe that you have been working with and now use as your main barrel horse correct?
Rebuilding has been very tumultuous. I bought a new mare that had very little exposure and knowledge, and starting from the ground up has been very difficult, but rewarding. Rebuilding has been financially difficult as well, because as we all know horses are not cheap. Seeing progress in our progression has been very rewarding though. I have taken a lot of time with my new mare to connect with her and let her learn at her pace. Keeping my ego in a corner and really listening to my horse has been very hard, but so rewarding. Yes, Phoebe is my main ( and only) horse I'm using. I did buy a weanling back in October that will be going into training in the next year or so.
6. You also balance a full time job and run a boutique in addition to barrel racing. That has to be a bit of a balancing act at times. Have you struggled finding balance at times between your career, rodeo, and married life?
Balance has been extremely frustrating at times, but I always have to remind myself that I am a full time teacher to fund my passion and pay the bills. My boutique has also helped with financing my barrel racing, so I have to remind myself that my work ethic is very important in the balancing act of chasing a passion. My husband is very supportive of my barrel racing, and has made huge sacrifices to keep me going. He was the person that made sure I did not quit when I had to retire not one, but ALL of my horses. He also works full time, and runs a business to support all I do. Its hard, and at times we both feel like we are drowning, but the life we are building is full of passion and I think that makes it all worth it.
7. What are your goals for the 2024 season?
This season I am planning on having more consistent 1 and 2D runs, not only as jackpots, but at bigger shows. If Phoebe can prove herself there, I will be more confident in entering the RMPRA rodeos. I do plan to enter at some rodeos this season to expose her more, as well as entering some hometown amature rodeos as well. The goal is not to be perfect, but to be better each run than the one before. Above all else, I am just looking forward to being with my horse, and chasing a dream.
Photographer credit:
Orange hat: Western Edge
Sweatshirt: Kane Bertols
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