Where are you from? Austin, Texas
When did you start barrel racing? 7 yrs old
On the road sometimes things happen do you have an usual or funny story? I remember one of the most funny things is that me and My best friend Janet Staton really wanted to go to a jackpot barrel race in Georgetown, but her husband had her truck and trailer to a rodeo, and my husband had mine. All we could find to go in was her husbands on ranch truck, which was a ford 3/4 ton 4 x 4, ac worked sometimes, you could not even find the floor or the dashboard for all the junk in his truck, we also took the ranch trailer which was being painted (primer only) and worked on. Late as usual we loaded up and took her son Cade with us, stopped at McDonalds for him, could not drive over 45 mph, it would shake so bad, beat on the dash board to get the AC to work, very questionable working off and one, showed up no parking because of all the nice aluminum trailers, and trucks, we parked on the front row, unloaded and took our saddles out of the front compartment the bracket holding the saddle rack had broke, saddles came flying out when we opened the door, a bunch of our friends just cracked up laughing at us, and said ya’ll must have really wanted to go bad, but the moral of the story was when all the trailers leaving me and Janet were picking up our checks. Our husbands laughed at us and said I guess it is not what you show up in, its what you leave with. We had a great time and will always remember that and laugh back on it.
What was the name of your favorite horse and tell us a little about it. Magnolia Night (aka Baby) without a doubt has been my favorite horse but I never actually owned her. Baby, now 19, was purcBaldys Buckskin “Badger” – He was a small runt looking buckskin when we got him at 18 months old, and at 14 yrs old he was a white horse, who weight at 1300 lbs. He became my rodeo horse for all the years, came down with ring bone, the last rodeo I ran him at before I had the surgery was Taylor Rodeo and he won that, I decide to retire him as a winner. After the surgery he did come back for about a year, and now has been retired at my home in Lockhart, Texas which my husband calls him yard art, because he just roams around like a pet. His heart was as big as they come, he gave 100% every time I ran him, even when he was so lame never did he refuse to go down an alley or not try. He will never be replaced or forgotten I my heart as long as I live. Maybe on that day special day when I go to heaven I will get to ride him.
What are some of the events that you have won (or races that stand out in your mind)? Numerous rodeos, but my favorite rodeo was Elgin, Texas my horse was just awesome to watch run especially in that pen, it was his favorite and know matter where he started from and the faster he could run to the first barrel he would just inhale it and all of his other barrels there, it was the memorable wins for me and Badger.
Over the years have you noticed any changes in barrel racing what are the good or bad you’ve seen? A lot of changes styles and skills have been developed, everything is getting much tougher including riders and horses are breed a lot better now for this event.
What is do you think of an equal pay out 4d? I do not agree on equal pay 1ds should be paided more and the rest of the D’s.
Do you think of yourself as a professional barrel racer? No, but I did have my WPRA card but that is not what I do for a living.
If your not a professional barrel racer what do you do for a living? I am and Information Technology Manager for First-Lockhart National Bank
Who is your favorite barrel racer or barrel racers? Marlene Eddleman McRay
Do you have any advice for anyone just starting out in barrel racing? Always try to do your best when you go to compete, and show good sportsmanship.
Do you think barrel racing should be limited to women only? Yes