Which horse(s) are you taking to the finals? What are their lifetime earnings?
My Mom Is Classy (Ritzy) – lifetime earnings over 80K
GBA Firewater Queen (2014 Sorrel Mare by Nonstop Firewater x Wimpys Gay Bar Queen by Cowanater, Kentucky Bred, PESI enrolled)

What is your horse(s)'; style when running barrels and what's unique about their personality?
Ritzy is all forward motion, grit and try. The tougher the ground or situation the tougher she gets. I am fortunate to get to be her person.

When did you start competing in barrel racing?
I grew up in town. I got a late start compared to some. I didn’t go to my first youth jackpot until I was in 3rd grade. I was hooked from there and my parents moved us to 20 acres just outside of Dickinson, ND.

Do you raise your own horses? Or do you purchase? Are you looking for specific bloodlines?
I bought Ritzy as a 4 year old. I am hooked on Nonstop Firewater horses. I owned three of them before Ritzy and I was successful on all of them. So buying Ritzy was a no brainer. We never in our wildest dreams thought she would take to the rodeo trail like she did. She ended up qualifying for her first Badlands Circuit finals as a 5 year old. My back-up horse Queenie is also by Nonstop Firewater. This was her first summer of Rodeos and she has exceeded my expectations. I have started flushing embryos out of my Nonstop Firewater daughters. The oldest are two now. I am new to the horse breeding business but it’s been really exciting to be a part of.

What are your conditioning and workout routines for both you and your horse(s)?
My mares get rode on the ranch a lot. It keeps their minds and bodies fit. During the heart of the rodeo season, they get long trotted 3 miles a day. Ritzy mainly gets ponied in the summer months to stay fit. Both Ritzy and Queenie (GBA Firewater Queen, my back up horse) are at Hande Equine Now. They are on the aqua treadmill to get in tip top shape for the Circuit Finals.

When you're headed to the rodeo what do you listen to: inspirational podcasts, music, audio books?
I love audio books. I travel alone or with my 2-year-old daughter a lot. So, she is on the iPad and I am listening to audio books. I looked at my audible account this year and I listened to over 48 books.

Do you have a rodeo idol and reasons why?
I don’t know if I would say I have Idols at this point in my life, but I do admire Lisa Lockhart and Jess Routier’s professionalism. You never hear them complain or get in a tiff on FB or beg for trades. They simply find a way to win in all situations. I think that is admirable.

Do you have favorite spots to stop at while on the road?
Seems like we were always in Big Timber this summer …. LOL ….. with that said Big Timber is a nice place to layover and I love their Breakfast Trailer there. I also stayed in Forsyth a bunch this summer. They were very accommodating. The water was always on and they had big pens for my horses. I am so thankful for the willingness of fairgrounds and rodeo grounds to stay open for us travelers. They are
lifesavers.

Who do you travel with (including pets or companion horses) and in what kind of rig?
All summer I had Ritzy and Queenie in the trailer. My two dogs, Rex and Tuxie and my two-year-old daughter Blue. If I was lucky, Ashley Day would be in the truck too!

What are your favorite memories/highlights and obstacles you faced getting to the 2021 circuit finals?
This was my first full real season in the Montana Circuit. I am not going to lie ……. August seems like it will never end. There are so many miles and rodeos to get to in Montana it can be overwhelming. My season was uneventful. It went smooth. I never won a rodeo but I did place second a lot!!

How do you juggle family life while on the road?
I can honestly say this is the hardest part about rodeo. I can deal with the ups and downs and the miles but keeping family as the number one priority is difficult when trying to chase your goals. It’s something I constantly work at and is always on my mind. Sometimes I succeed and sometimes I fail but I never stop trying to find the perfect balance.

What are your hobbies or other sports you compete in?
I coached High School girls basketball for 15 years. I honestly miss it but that was a sacrifice I had to make to be able to rodeo more.

The Run Down
Saddle: Bautz Brazillian Saddle
Pad: 5 star pad
Leg Gear: Iconolast
Bits: Start to finish bit, two piece
Feed and Supplements (in addition to what, how much you feed daily): Bluebonet Omega Force twice daily, grass alfalfa mix hay, oxy-gen mag max daily and fluidity and pulmon race days.
Additional Care: I keep their legs wrapped with Draw It out on the road and I keep them in their XLR8 blankets. They see
a chiropractor and osteopath at least monthly if not more during the season.
Sponsors: Oxy-gen