Which horse(s) are you taking to the finals? I will be taking Paydays Instant Cash aKa Cash (2013 black mare by Instant Income x Tidys Payday by Tidys Valentine, Montana Bred)

What is unique about their personality and what are their strengths? How tall are they and what is their weight (thought it would be fun to compare)? To be honest Cash and I don’t get along but we tolerate each other. Most of the time the neighbor girl rides her so that we don’t fight. She does best if we don’t look at barrels or practice at all but will run in any condition. She is 15 hands and weighs 1200 lbs. 

What are your favorite memories/highlights and obstacles you faced getting to the 2025 circuit finals?  My favorite memory this year was running my first 16 on a standard pattern on my horse Cash N My Wildcard "Junior" My biggest obstacle I faced this year was finding out that my good horse Pistol was hurt and I won’t be able to run him at the finals, but luckily I have a great team behind me. 

How many circuit finals have you qualified for? This will be my 5th circuit finals.

When did you start competing in barrels? I have been competing in barrel racing since I was four years old. Both my parents come from a rodeo background so I was born into it.

Do you raise your own horses? Or do you purchase? Are you looking for specific bloodlines? I prefer to raise my own horses but I have purchased a few young ones that turned out really nice. Cash is out of a mare we rescued that we called Payday and is by Instant Income. I focus more on personality and their mind when I am looking at horses.  Papers are becoming a large part in the barrel racing world and played a role when I was looking to breed my mares this year. 

What are your conditioning and workout routines for both you and your horse(s)? I rarely ride my horses in the arena, I get bored loping circles so I imagine that they do too. I have a four-mile loop that I ride my horses on 5 days a week. They have to ride by a dairy, which makes them very used to cows, as well as deal with vehicles so they become pretty broke doing it. It includes hills and flat spots so they get a variety of intensities. I also like to breeze my horses out in the field to help build up their lungs. As for myself, I workout religiously at home in the winter. I do at home workouts that help build core strength as well as balance. During the summer I am riding at least 10 horses a day so that keeps me in shape.  

When you're headed to a rodeo what do you listen to: inspirational podcasts, music, audio books? I listen to everything. I have tons of music playlists catered to the mood I might be in but on the really long drives I like to bounce between podcasts and audiobooks 

What or who are you thankful for? I am extremely thankful team that helps get me down the road. I have great family and friends that support me and all my crazy dreams, but rodeo isn’t possible without a great trainer (Yvette Vega), horse shoer (Tom Knight) and many many more. 

Do you have favorite spots to stop at or favorite snacks while on the road? Any small town coffee shop. I must have at least two cups of coffee in the morning to function. I always try to stop at the Wheat Montana at Three Forks. I love a good soup and sandwich combo.

Who do you travel with (including pets or companion horses) and in what kind of rig? This year I got to travel with a great friend and fellow competitor, Lauren Johnson. I was so lucky to have her this year because it was a very tough year for both of us and we got through it with many laughs. We traveled around in my truck and living quarters trailer. I always travel with a buddy horse that is always changing. 

What are your hobbies or other sports do you compete in?- I love anything outside. In the winter I like to go snowboarding, skiing, and ice skating even though I am not very good. In the summer I try to sneak in hikes or trips to the lake when I have the time.

The Run Down
Saddle: Robbie Phillips 
Pad: 3S
Leg Gear: Professional Choice 2X Cool
Shoeing: Rims or Eventers depends on the horse and what ground we might run into
Bits: Twisted Wire Half-Wonder
Feed and Supplements (in addition to what, how much you feed daily): Purina Strategy (coffee can full), 1 scoop Rodeo Ready from Diamond Split Ranch, 1 Scoop Platinum CJ, 2 pumps Hemptana oil
Additional Care: Acuscope and Myopulse, PEMF, Red-light therapy
Sponsors: The Tack Store-Jessie Marreel, XLR8 Equine, Diamond Split Ranch, Hemptana, KO Equine Therapy