What are the most important qualities you look for when picking a prospect to make a rodeo barrel horse?
I mainly look for good conformation and bloodlines. I like the old bloodlines the best.

What are the 3 most important things you do during the year to keep your horse sound and working all year long?
The 3 most important things I do to keep my horse sound are: definitely turn them out in a pasture as much as I possibly can, stretch her legs out before each run, and making sure she is in good shape...and praying for them to stay healthy!  

What is the one item in your tack room or barn that you would never want to be without? I would never want to be without feed or buckets for water. I think it’s extremely important to keep your horse well fed and watered especially on the road.  I have a pet peeve about using other peoples buckets, I’m sort of a germophobe when it comes to what my horses are eating and drinking out of.

Give us the rundown on your horse 
I run kiss in an Ed Wright medium shank twisted snaffle, I use a Stoney and a Carl Ammerman saddle and a Wade or a Tod Slone saddle pad. For boots I like to use the Elite Professional Choice boots. I give her grass/ alfalfa hay and turn her out on green grass as much as I can. I also give her Total Equine feed with Cetyl-M and aloe vera juice.

What is your horse’s greatest strength? Kiss’s biggest strength would have to be bad ground, she tends to like to run on hard ground which really scares me because I don’t want to hurt her!

Biggest weakness? She’s pretty small and doesn’t seem to have the burst of energy to get up and out of the ground.

What is the most unique habit or behavior your horse has? Kiss’s biggest quirk would probably be she still crow hops when I lope her or after she’s been on a break for a while she will buck coming around third barrel.  She doesn’t really like to be touched or messed with very much. She also loves water, she will take off and drag you to a ditch where there is water.  

What horse(s) are you going to be riding at the Circuit Finals? I will be riding Kiss at Circuit Finals.  

If you could make a run on any other horse in the Montana Circuit what horse would you choose and why?
I think I’d like to ride Shelby Blixt’s horse. I think she looks fun to ride since she is a push style.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself that we may not know (a special talent, hobby, interest, etc.):
I am the sixth generation Annie Novotny.

What is your occupation (how do you fund your barrel racing/horsey habit)? I am currently going to school in Sheridan for Dental Hygiene and work as a Dental Assistant when I can, I also make cakes

Who or what event has been the biggest influence in your rodeo career? My parents have been a huge influence on my rodeo career.  They were both very involved with rodeo throughout their life and helped me and my sisters to get started. They have always helped me in any way they can and encouraged me throughout.