Photo: Katie when she was into English riding and jumping, 1982.Tell us an interesting fact about your horse that we may not know. Hmmmm.....Oh I know, when making a run on Dave, like a practice run at home, he does NOT like to be pulled up after turning the 3rd barrel and if you do this, rather than let him finish the run and run home, he will try to buck you off. He HATES to be pulled up in the middle of a run. He loves to run so much that when it's feeding time, he lets all of his pasture mates get to the barn while he waits 20 acres away and then when everyong else is at the barn he sprints to the barn full speed. I always yell, “Incoming” so everyone knows Dave is coming.
What is the one item in your tack room or barn that you would never want to be without? My first-aid kit (full of vet wrap). We play a game at our house called “What's Bleeding on Dave Today.”
Give us the run down on your horse:
Bit: Carol Goosetree Long Shank Double Gag, Molly Powell Combo.
Headgear: None
Saddle: Charmayne James Record Breaker by Cactus
Saddle pad: CSI Classic Equine that I won last year at Finals for running fast time.
Protective boots: Classic Equine Polos all 4
Feed: Free choice pasture and grass/alfalfa mix, Purina Ultium, Seabuck, Platinum CJ
Training/conditioning routine during the week: Lots of walking, long trotting, stretching, flexing, loping
Warm-up before race: Lots of walking, long trotting, flexing, reverse arcs.
What is your horse's greatest strength? Biggest weakness? Dave’s biggest strength is he is sooo tough. He would run on three legs. That is also probably his biggest weakness. He tries sooo hard and if the ground is shiffty or slick he doesn't take care of himself, he still runs his hardest, not always handling the bad ground.
What horse(s) are you going to be riding at the Circuit finals? Nowdatsreallysmokin (Dave). Technically it’s Rayna's turn to run Dave, but...
If one weekend you could travel with anyone in history (living or dead) who would it be and why? My travelling partners have included Rayna Rice, Morgan Knudson, Maria Gee Taylor, Darae Larson, Rhonda Kountz, Mandy Hamilton, Deena Moeykens, Dana Jo Whitford (and J.C. Crowley, a particular favorite of Paige), and my hubby, of course, and I just can't imagine anyone, living or dead, that I'd rather travel with, even for one weekend, than any of these. (I should be a politician.)
If you could make a run on any other horse in the Montana Circuit what horse would you choose and why? I think it would be Hess (Hesa Rare Runner). Lindsay says he and Dave are similar (Lindsay Karp ran Dave at the 2009 Dodge National Circuit Finals) and I prefer free-runners like Hess. He looks fun and fast!!
Who or what event has been the biggest influence in your rodeo career? My hubby, Flint. He is sooo supportive and encouraging. He helps me keep horses in shape, keeps my arenas in great condition, does all the driving when he can, packs lots of water on the road, and helps take care of the girls. I could not do it without him.