Which horse(s) are you taking to the finals? I will be taking A Frenchmans Ledoux aka Ledoux to finals.

What is unique about their personality and what are their strengths? He is very laid back and loves nap time. We used to joke that if he laid down before his run (whether tied to the trailer or in a pen), he was ready to win — and it happened to be true! His strengths are definitely resting while traveling. He hauls great, loves a crowd, and is solid in all setups. I especially love him in weird setups where the first barrel is at a hard or blind angle. It’s a lot of fun sending him into the arena fast! I trust him 100% every time I send him into the arena. He’s honest and always looks after me.

How tall are they and what is their weight (thought it would be fun to compare)? 15.3hh, roughly 1350 lbs give or take.

What are your favorite memories/highlights and obstacles you faced getting to the 2025 circuit finals? My favorite memory is Fort Macleod, AB, which was a Co-Approved rodeo. I wasn’t considering heading across the border, even though I had selected Montana as my circuit, because things were going well in Canada at the time. Lisa Warfield and I were casually talking and she asked if I planned on coming south. I said I wasn’t sure, and she told me I should probably think about it. As that weekend progressed (and honestly got worse as each rodeo went on), I started wondering what she was meant on why I should come to Montana. So I looked into it and realized that because of the Co-Approved rodeos, I was sitting well in the Montana Circuit standings — so I decided to make a change in my plans & start entering south. Thats when the fun began trying to get my rodeo count in. Lots of mapping to see if it was possible to make multiple rodeos happen per day (the most including Canadian rodeos was 7 in 4 days.) I pushed myself mentally and asked a lot of my horse. Every rodeo & place was a brand-new experience. I also ran a younger horse at a few rodeos where I should have run my good horse, plus some weather issues and tough luck of the draw that cost me. I started worrying that all the effort would be for nothing. I really had to rally at the end and enter a few rodeos I hadn’t planned on because the standings were so tight — only a few hundred dollars separating us. Thankfully, regrouping after Kalispell and a weekend at home to rest paid off, and I was able to finish strong and qualify. Every obstacle was worth it. It was a huge learning experience and refreshing to travel across Montana, see how gorgeous the state is, and meet great people along the way.

How long have you been a WPRA member and how many circuit finals have you qualified for? This is my first Circuit Finals. I honestly can’t remember how long I’ve had my WPRA card.

When did you start competing in barrels? I started when I was about six years old, just on an old grade ranch mare. When I was nine, my parents bought me my first real barrel horse, and the rest was history. She taught me how to win and is the foundation of my broodmare herd.

Do you raise your own horses? Or do you purchase? Are you looking for specific bloodlines? Currently, I am raising my own. I purchased Ledoux as a long yearling, but almost everything I own and ride now I have raised. They are sired by Ledoux and are grandsons and granddaughters of my first real barrel horse. As for bloodlines, I’m a huge fan of Sun Frost–bred horses. I owned a daughter of his who helped shape my training style. I credit a lot of that to her, and to a simple piece of advice from Tigh Cowen when I bought her, that I will always be grateful for. I’ve always been impressed with the longevity Sun Frost horses have in the rodeo world. I also have a soft spot for Firewater Flit–bred horses, as he was the sire of my first real barrel horse.

What are your conditioning and workout routines for both you and your horse(s)? Winter months are more challenging. I try to stay outside as much as possible, but lately riding indoors has been the only option. I find it harder to keep them fit inside (I get bored, so I’m sure they do too), but I structure workouts to stay well-rounded, focusing on mobility with drills and cardio with lots of trotting and short sprints. For myself, I do a lot of walking. I don’t really have a set workout, but if I can do a job by hand and take extra steps instead of using equipment, I do. Coiling frozen water hoses and dragging them around in winter definitely replaces a gym workout. I try to do yoga when I can — it really helps my back and hips with all the driving — but I need to be better at sticking to it. There have been a lot of missed yoga days this winter.

When you’re headed to a rodeo what do you listen to: inspirational podcasts, music, audio books? I listen to everything. Podcasts are key — I really enjoy Let’s Fricken Rodeo. Audiobook: The Colonel and the Cowboy. I’ve listened to it twice. Music depends on the hour of the day (or night). I create playlists and add songs when I think they’re good, then hear them later and wonder what I was thinking. Generally, I’ve realized I really like singer-songwriters with an old-school country sound.

What or who are you thankful for? Oh, where to start. I’ll keep it simple, though there’s so much more I’m thankful for. I’m thankful for that conversation with Lisa. If we hadn’t talked that weekend, I wouldn’t be here. I’m incredibly thankful for my parents. They’ve always supported my crazy ideas and dreams and are the reason I started rodeoing. They’re my biggest fans and have been there through every high and low. I’m also very thankful for my boyfriend, Owen. Without him, I definitely wouldn’t have made it. There were many times I wanted to quit — the miles and financial costs became overwhelming. He pushed me to keep going, knowing I had to try or I’d regret it forever (or maybe drive him crazy forever wondering what could have happened). I’m grateful for the hard conversations and the push I needed to step outside my comfort zone.

Do you have favorite spots to stop at or favorite snacks while on the road? I love finding local spots that people recommend when I get to spend more than a day somewhere. Usually, I try to hit grocery stores for decent snacks. Otherwise, my truck would be loaded with 100 Grand chocolate bars and every sour or gummy candy I can find at the first gas station. I really like Rifle Cold Coffee and Rviita Energy drinks.

Who do you travel with (including pets or companion horses) and in what kind of rig? My little wiener dog Frankie — she’s the boss of the rig. My 2008 4-Star LQ Stock Combo was home this year. I had it listed for sale in the winter and I’m so glad it didn’t sell, because Frankie would have been very upset not having the comforts of home with how many nights we were gone.

What are your hobbies or other sports do you compete in? My hobbies have definitely dwindled as I’ve focused more on competing and raising horses. I used to team rope and breakaway, but now I just run barrels. I enjoy graphic design (stud flyers and such), used to pencil sketch, and I like skiing — I should make more time for it. Playing crib in the morning over coffee and annoying Owen is probably my current hobby.

The Run Down
Saddle: Don Loewen. He was a saddle maker in BC who built working rigs for the cowboys. When I was about 18, I had him make me this barrel saddle similar — it’s one of a kind.
Pad: Weaver Synergy Pad
Leg Gear: Equi Crown on fronts; Alliance Equine or Classic Equine bell boots and polo wraps
Shoeing: I shoe him myself. Aluminum Triumphs on the fronts, St. Croix light rims on the hinds. Ledoux has great feet — I’ve run him barefoot, and I usually keep him barefoot in the winter.
Bits: War bridle, 3-piece O-ring, or a 3-piece shank with a similar mouthpiece. Those are my go-to options depending on ground, setup, or my nerves. He’d probably run in nothing, but I’m not brave enough — he wants to leave hard to first, so sometimes I need something to hold him back until it’s time to run.
Feed and Supplements (in addition to what, how much you feed daily): My feed program changes slightly throughout the year depending on his needs, but for most of the season this is the foundation: • Alfalfa and grass hay • Barley • Slide HA+ • Stance Equine GastroBuf • Roan & Co Lyte Powder
Additional Care: I use a Multi Radiance Activet Laser on him multiple times a week. Back On Track products are amazing, especially this time of year. I have a great team of people I lean on and am very grateful for their knowledge. I’m lucky that my vet is also Ledoux’s acupuncturist, and I barrel race with his chiropractor. Ledoux also looks after himself extremely well and doesn’t need much extra care. Most of what I do is preventative maintenance to make sure he feels like a champion so he can perform at his best. I also love getting him into a salt spa and having Equiscope sessions done when possible.
Sponsors: No official sponsors — but my parents and Owen absolutely deserve a shoutout. More than once, my fuel and entry fees were sponsored by them. Thank you. It takes a team, and I couldn’t do it without you. I would also like to send a huge thank you to Rachel with Slide HA+ for sponsoring product for all the Top 12 Ladies Barrel Racing Finalists!