Which horse(s) are you taking to the finals?  Mable Draws A Pistol aKa Pistol LTE of $152,623
Cash N My Wild Card (2017 Chestnut Gelding by Wild Card Cat x Precious By Cash by Cash In Your Bux) aka Junior LTE of $7,800

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)? Pistol is a more of a push-style horse.  He will run really hard into the turns and plants his hind end and come around them; he hunts the barrels, he rarely ever runs by a barrel. He is your typical gelding. He is goofy and has his quirks but really loves his quality scratches and cookies. He will spook at everything, but the moment he needs to got to work he is all business. He is 15 hands and weighs 1175 lbs. Junior is 15’1 hands and weighs 1,230.

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. 

How long have you been a WPRA member? Since 2014 

Do you raise your own horses? Or do you purchase? Are you looking for specific bloodlines? Pistol was born and raised on our ranch. His Dam was my fathers heel horse and lived to be 36 years old. He is by Instant Income from Y-Y Quarter Horses.  I recently partnered with Mike Lyons on the purchase of Junior. He sent him to me for training and Junior and I instantly clicked. His style and my way of riding really complement each other. 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. During the summer I am riding at least 10 horses a day so that keeps me in shape.

When you're headed to the rodeo what do you listen to: inspirational podcasts, music, audio books? I am guilty of loving true-crime podcasts! I listen to them when I ride at home as well as on long drives. When it comes to right before the rodeo I have many playlists that cover a wide range of genres.

What or who are you thankful for? I am very thankful for a loving family that supports my rodeo dreams and is willing to help me accomplish them. I also have great friends who are willing to jump in and travel with me whenever its needed. I am most thankful for my amazing horses who try their hearts out for me each and every run. 

Do you have favorite spots to stop at 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 small town shops and support them.

Who do you travel with (including pets or companion horses) and in what kind of rig? I was on the road by myself quite a bit this year but my dog Oakley comes along as much as she can. One off my closest friends Julia Nichols was always there to jump in when I needed her. I have a small living quarters horse trailer for the longer trips, but I have a 5 horse trailer I try and take whenever I can.

What are your favorite memories/highlights and obstacles you faced getting to the 2023 circuit finals?  My favorite highlight of the year would have to be entering my young horse, Junior, in his second rodeo ever (White Sulphur Springs). He ran in the mud and won the rodeo. That’s when I knew he was special and would be a great addition to my team. Overall, I haven’t had to face too many obstacles, and if I did I learned from the experience and am better for it.

What are your hobbies or other sports 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:  CSI with Benefab liner 
Leg Gear: Classic Equine classic fit or Professional Choice 2X Cool 
Bits: Pistol runs in a Twisted wire Half-Wonder and Junior runs in a Carol Goosetree double gag
Feed and Supplements (in addition to what, how much you feed daily): 
Grained 2X a day: Strategy healthy edge (1 full grain scoop), two pumps GutX by 100XEquine, two pumps RegenX by 100XEquine, rice-bran pellets. CEP Daily Lung
Additional Care: Acuscope and Myopulse done by KO Equine therapy. PEMF treatments.