Teresa Wolff, October 15
Tell us about your family.
My husband Danny “Pete” Marlenee and I live on a farm & ranch 10 miles North of Circle. During the summer months, Pete’s 14 year old daughter, Darby lives with us. She is really beginning to enjoy riding and rodeo. Our family household is also occupied by 2 dogs. Cassius a Great Dane and Oscar a Mini Dachshund. My Mom and Dad (Debbie and Jiggs) live close, as well as my brother Wilt. Many other family members live in the area too.
Tell us about your horse(s) (age, personality, where you got them, etc).
My main horse right now is Lucky Alamitos Bug. She’s a 12 year old APHA with a personality only a mother could love. My mom always wanted a paint, so we bred my Liege Lord by Alamitos Bar mare to Western Bugs a Shawnee Bug grandson. Being born backwards, she acquired the name Lucky, since my mom and I were there to help. At first it was an uphill training battle to make the 8 second whistle (as you can see from the pictures above, she has multiple personalities). This horse has bucked me off more times in her lifetime than I wish to tell or maybe I lost count. However, I have made a few qualified rides lately. So I’m feeling optimistic. Needless to say, we raised her and I have done the training.
What do you feed your horse?
They have their own pasture at home. I feed Woody’s Summer Heat along with Fast Track (a probiotic) and Finish Line’s Total Control Plus supplement. On the road she gets a constant supply of grass hay along with plenty of water to keep her hydrated.
What are your other interests besides riding horses?
I love the lake. I like to fish, and LOVE to travel.
What’s the coolest place you have ever been and why?
Well, that’s tough. Paris & Europe are amazing, Rome & Italy are breath taking, Greece and it’s islands are fascinatingly full of history, every state in the U.S. is truly unique and beautiful….but the white sand beaches and warm turquoise waters of St. Thomas are an incredible vacation during the cold winter months in Eastern Montana.
Which reality TV show do you think you would do the best on and why?
Can’t think of any. I feel too old, too married, and too chubby to qualify for most.
Although, Dancing with the Stars would be a fun adventure.
Do you have any superstitions or rituals before you run?
Not really. Just make sure my horse is warmed up, cinched tight, and my hats on tight.
Milk chocolate or dark chocolate?
DARK chocolate, but either will work when it’s a chocolate attack.
How did you get started riding horses?
My mom and her sisters grew up riding. My baby sitter was a horse named Neeta.
What do you listen to while you’re driving?
Usually whoever I’m traveling with is a real yacker, but any rock and roll channel will do. I love the Pulse XM channel. Sorry, not much country music here for this girl.
What food(s) do you absolutely refuse to eat?
Cooked peas. Don’t ask me why. I love raw peas and split pea soup, so go figure.
What do you do to stay awake when you are driving?
Vivarin, a caffeinated beverage, and a fully charged blue tooth earpiece.
Did you play any sports in high school or college?
Basketball, volleyball, track and rodeo thru high school. Then rodeoed for the University of Montana at Missoula.
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Definitely not an early morning person…my husband can confirm this when the early a.m. alarms are going off during calving. But not really a night owl either, I‘ve been known to miss the last half of the movie. I must just be a tweener.
What kind of saddle do you ride in?
I ride an older Circle Y Special Effx or a Double J Charmayne Record Breaker.
Do you have any role models?
Well, my Mom and Dad had a huge influence on the person I am. But I guess I’ve always looked up to my aunt Lisa Lockhart. Her hard work and dedication towards horses and barrel racing is very inspiring. While both sets of role models have strong marriages, I admire them and hope to accomplish the same with my husband.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up on the farm we live on now. I went to school in Circle, Montana.
Do you prefer mares or geldings and why?
I love mares and their determination to try their heart out. Plus, mares offer a chance to continue on a program.
Do you like a particular bloodline or cross?
There are so many great bloodlines, I hate to choose. There are tons of no name horses out there that can beat the pants off anyone on a given day. With that said, I would ride an appaloosa if it was fast and wanted to do the job. I’m kinda a who cares what you like if you can still win.
What style of horse do you prefer (small or large, free runner or push, quick or long- stride, etc)?
I have 5 different horses I’m riding now…not one of them being similar styles. As long as they give an effort to work, I’m happy with whatever style. Sometimes I would actually prefer a smaller horse since Montana has such harsh winters. Attempting to get on with pack boots, 3 layers of clothes, and coveralls on the days it’s 15-35 degrees can be a real pickle.
Do you raise and train your own horses?
Yes, we raise and train our own horses. Of course, I’m always open to suggestions whether it be my aunts Lisa or Angie, my mom, my husband, my cousin, a friend, a spectator, a 1 time NFR qualifier or a 10 time NFR qualifier. Everyone always has something great to teach you. Even my dad’s advice “Just don’t tip a barrel.” that always comes in handy. When it comes to life and training, I never want to be close minded to anyone or anything.
TJ Barnett, October 22
Tell us about your family.
My mom and dad moved my brother and I down to Montana
from Chetwynd, British Columbia when we were very young.
We were both born up there so we are dual citizens.
That comes in handy more than you'd think!
Tell us about your horse(s) (age, personality, where
you got them, etc).
My two horses, Rocket and Kitkat, I got from my grandparents
in California. Kitkat is 6, and she is really starting to do well
in the jackpots. I am hoping to start running her next season
on the pro circuit. Rocket is my main man. I've had him since
he was a weanling, and he's now 12. He and I share a unique
bond. He is an awesome horse.
What do you feed your horse?
I feed a mix of oats and Purina Strategy with Platinum Performance, Platinum Orthochon11, and biotin mixed with flax seed oil.
What are your other interests besides riding horses?
I love to sing! I am a lead singer in a rock band in Great Falls. I also started cosmetology school in September and LOVE doing makeup and hair!
What’s the coolest place you have ever been and why?
Hmm…Probably on the top of a mountain peak in northern British Columbia with my dad and grandpa. It was the most beautiful scene.
Which reality TV show do you think you would do the best on and why?
Ha, probably American Idol because I'd rock it out!
Do you have any superstitions or rituals before you run?
I don't like to carry ANY money in my pockets, and I have to have 4 rubber bands on my boots.
Milk chocolate or dark chocolate?
Dark chocolate
How did you get started riding horses?
I grew up riding and running barrels. I can't even remember the first time I rode.
What do you listen to while you’re driving?
Hmm, everything from Alice in Chains, Paramore, Heart, Zeppelin, The Black Keys, etc.
What food(s) do you absolutely refuse to eat?
I not very picky, but I WON'T eat meatloaf.
What do you do to stay awake when you are driving?
Sing along to the radio
Did you play any sports in high school or college?
High school rodeo
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
A night owl for sure. Don't be the one to wake me up!
What kind of saddle do you ride in?
I ride Rocket in a Billy Cook barrel racer, and Kitkat in a Circle Y
Do you have any role models?
My mom and dad
Where did you grow up?
Havre, MT
Do you prefer mares or geldings and why?
Geldings because they bond to you and worry about you more than other horses.
Do you like a particular bloodline or cross?
Rocket is a grandson of Rocket Wrangler on top and Special Effort on the bottom. I think Special Effort horses are more calm headed.
What style of horse do you prefer (small or large, free runner or push, quick or long-strided, etc)?
Small, short-backed, free runners with medium stride, and supple mouths
Do you raise and train your own horses?
Yes, I think if you train and raise them they have more trust and a better connection with you.
