Which horse(s) are you taking to the finals? Gunners Pistol Annie - aka Annie

What are their lifetime earnings? $30k

What is unique about their personality and what are their strengths? If you haul a buddy with her to the rodeo she is always on the lookout for them when you leave the trailer. If you haul her alone she doesn’t have a care in the world for a buddy that day. One of her greatest strengths is the ability to adjust to the rider. My boys have rode her at a lot of rodeos this past year and she has done awesome for all of us!

When did you start competing in breakaway? 9 years old

Do you raise your own horses? Or do you purchase? Are you looking for specific bloodlines? We raised Annie but we usually look to buy a good prospect around 3-4 yrs old. We are typically looking for cow bred lines but also like the cow bred/running cross lines too. We like training them from start to finish in the arena.

What are your conditioning and workout routines for both you and your horse(s)? Like to long trot my horses, rope the bale, and do HIIT workouts.

When you're headed to the rodeo what do you listen to: inspirational podcasts, music, audio books? Usually visiting with my family going down the road but also like to listen to “In The Loop” Breakaway Roping Podcast

Do you have a rodeo idol and reasons why? My parents have been my rodeo idols because they introduced me to the sport. They sacrificed so much for me growing up so I could go down the road and compete and now I am lucky enough to get to do it with my husband and our 3 boys.

Do you have favorite spots to stop at while on the road? We pull over quickly if we see Huckleberry Shakes for sale

Who do you travel with (including pets or companion horses) and in what kind of rig? I travel with my husband Andy, and three boys Blaise, Brooks, and Bentz. We have our two trusty wiener dogs as well, Choco and Bernie. We have a living quarters trailer which is nice but we oftentimes take our stock trailer on the day trips.

What are your favorite memories/highlights and obstacles you faced getting to the 2022 circuit finals? I was 16th going into the final rodeo of the season at Dickinson, ND. I wasn’t planning to go but with the encouragement of my good friend Sarah Verhelst and my Husband and Mom I decided to enter and give it one final shot. I hopped rides both directions to make the rodeo and was blessed to draw good and split 2/3/4 and qualify for the circuit finals! 

How do you juggle family life while on the road? We usually all load up and go together. That is my favorite part of rodeoing…being with my family and making lots of memories! The boys are competing in their own rodeos now so we are busy taking them down the road but I still like to enter when I can!

What are your hobbies or other sports you compete in? I enjoy training rope horses, sharing my love of breakaway roping with others at our roping clinics, helping our boys with their roping and watching them compete in both rodeo and basketball, and I like to ski when I can!
 
The Run Down
Saddle: Tod Slone
Pad: Murdochs Wool Pad
Leg Gear: Classic Legacy2 Boots
Bits: Flat Port Bit
Rope: Dub Grant 4 Strand Poly
Feed and Supplements (in addition to what, how much you feed daily): alfalfa/grass hay and whole oats, also give Animal Element Foundation Detox
Additional Care: Back on Track shipping boots
Sponsors: My dear Husband Andy…the best driver, pusher, encourager I could ask for!