Where Are you from? Born in Oklahoma City, OK, raised in Midwest City, OK, and currently live in Choctaw, OK.
Are you involved in any other equine events? Breed and raise colts for barrel racing.
Who or What got you started barrel racing? Dad bought me a green broke pony at age 5, and Mother entered me in my first competition in barrel racing that year at Atkinson Pony Farm. Neither of my parents rode, so it was something that was up to me. Little did I know then or my parents, that it was something that was in me.
On the road sometimes things happen, do you have a funny story? Going to Denver Rodeo from Oklahoma, stopped to put a blanket on barrel horse as it was raining and getting colder, therefore I got in trailer to put blanket on the mare. She stepped on my toe and it took awhile to get her off. Needless to say, I had a black toe and sore foot. Needless to say hindsight is 20/20, and I laugh when I think back on it.– There I was on the side of the interstate, pouring down rain and very cold, inside a two-horse side by side trailer, in the front of the stall with the mare trying to put a blanket on her, with her standing on my left foot, pushing on her chest with all my might to get her off, and the harder I pushed the more she leaned against me and put weight on my foot. Ha-ha I do remember praying, and she finally got off.—Should of prayed before I ever got in the trailer. Ha-ha
What was the name of your favorite horse and tell us a little about it. They are all my favorites.–Probably the one I was closest to was an orphan I raised. He would get up on the front porch and nurse my son and daughter’s fingers through the front window. His nickname was “Little Bit,” because he was a little bit of trouble being an orphan. His reg.name was Win or Trouble, and he won the Woodward PRCA rodeo and qualified me for the Prairie Circuit Finals. I gave him to my daughter, DeLena, to run and she won the Freedom, OK Jr. barrel race on him two years in a row. He gave us a lot of good memories.
What are some of the events that you have won (or races that stand out in your mind)? They are all my favorites.–Probably the one I was closest to was an orphan I raised. He would get up on the front porch and nurse my son and daughter’s fingers through the front window. His nickname was “Little Bit,” because he was a little bit of trouble being an orphan. His reg.name was Win or Trouble, and he won the Woodward PRCA rodeo and qualified me for the Prairie Circuit Finals. I gave him to my daughter, DeLena, to run and she won the Freedom, OK Jr. barrel race on him two years in a row. He gave us a lot of good memories.
Over the years have you noticed any changes in barrel racing what are the good or bad you’ve seen? The bad is that the numbers for barrel racers were dropping off when you went to jackpots. The good is the 4-D barrel races, because they give more people a chance to win money, and generated more people interested in the sport.
What is do you think of an equal pay out 4d? Majority rules!!! —But my opinion is that if you have more $ added to the first division, it keeps the riders striving for betterment and accomplishment. If you have a higher goal, it keeps people trying to attain, instead of staying in a place of complacency.
Do you think of yourself as a professional barrel racer? My brother said to me the first time I won $ in the event, “Now you are a professional.” Ha-ha –Yes, I train and sell barrel horses for a living, along with other things I’ve done as dental assisting, driving a truck, and running a business, trying to stumble in the place God has for me.
Who is your favorite barrel racer or barrel racers? They all are my favorites. Anybody is inspiring that barrel races, because it takes a lot of hard work and effort before you reap!
Do you have any advice for anyone just starting out in barrel racing? BUY AN OLDER FINISHED HORSE!!!!!!!!!!!! So you can have fun as you learn and not get frustrated with a green one.
Do you think barrel racing should be limited to women only? No. Just in the WPRA, because it’s just that-for women.