2024 Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit Finalist Abby Knight

Which horse(s) are you taking to the finals? Mable Draws A Pistol aka Pistol and Cash N My Wild Card aka Junior 

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 and Junior are two halves of the same brain cell. They are very easy going boys that can’t live without each other. Pistol is 15 hands and weighs about 1100 pounds, while Junior stands about 15.2 hands and weighs about 1350 LBs. 

When did you start competing in barrel? 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 and how many circuit finals have you qualified for? I have been a member of the WPRA for 6 years and this will be my 4th Montana Circuit Finals. 

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 and he has never left my house since. His style and my way of riding really compliment 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 roll 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 but I also try to do yoga to work on my flexibility and strength.

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. I always have headphones in while I’m riding so I listen to a lot of podcasts, audio books, as well as a wide range of music.  

What or who are you thankful for? Family, friends, love and support, and most of all my amazing horses. 

Do you have favorite spots to stop at or snacks 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 2024 circuit finals? My favorite memory from this season has to be in May at the MG barrel race in Cascade MT when I clocked a 17.007 on Junior. This is the fastest time I had ever clocked on a standard pattern and it just proved that I had made the right call in buying Junior. I would say an obstacle I faced this year would be the mental battle with not riding my best and letting my horses down. All it takes is one run to fix that. 

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 or Connolly
Pad: CSI or 3S
Leg Gear: Professional Choice 2X Cool
Shoeing: depends on the time of year, its always changing based on how my horse is working
Bits: Twisted wire half-wonder or Jr. Cowhorse with a Mullen mouthpiece 
Feed and Supplements (in addition to what, how much you feed daily): Once a day: Strategy GX. 1 scoop of Rodeo Ready by Diamonds Split Ranch. 1 scoop Platinum CJ. Equinety OEC 2oz. 
Additional Care:  Acuscope and Myopulse, Nervous system adjustments, PEMF, massage, chiropractic adjustments, and red-light therapy. 
Sponsors: Diamonds Split Ranch
KO Therapy LLC
Buck The Stigma- Rodeo’s Mental Health Apparel 
Complete Equine Performance and Nutrition