Which horse(s) are you taking to the finals? GunnersPistolAnnie - aka Annie and Sweet Stylish Lena - aka Salty (2015 Sorrel Mare by Sweet Society Road out of Lenas Stylish Cash by Arc Stylish Cash, Idaho 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)? If you haul a buddy with Annie 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! Annie is 14.2 and weighs around 1000. As for Salty she will be cold-backed every time you go to saddle her up and ride her off. Salty’s first trip to the circuit finals was as a pickup horse in Andy’s herd. Her strength is her speed getting across the line. Salty is 15 hands and weighs around 1100.
When did you start competing in breakaway? 9 years old
How long have you been a WPRA member? 2020
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 various rodeo related podcasts, "In the Loop" is one of my favs. Also like some good music! The boys are getting big enough now they usually dj the trip and fill me in on the "cool" music.
What or who are you thankful for? I am so thankful for the sport of rodeo and all of the wonderful people it has brought into my life. It is where I have made my best friends and best memories and now we get to take our boys to their rodeos and do it as a family! I could not do it without my dear husband, Andy! He makes rodeoing possible for me in all ways! He encourages me, runs the chutes for countless runs, and can drive any distance!
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 2023 circuit finals? My favorite memories of 2023 were competing in the first rodeo performances to ever include the Breakaway Roping at Red Lodge Home of Champions Rodeo and the NILE Rodeo. I have went to these rodeos many times before and dreamed of the day the breakaway roping would be in their perfs! To be part of it was really special! We are so grateful to all the committees throughout our circuit that are including the breakaway and working hard to help it grow!
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
Additional Care: Back on Track shipping boots
Sponsors: My dear Husband Andy…the best driver, pusher, encourager I could ask for!