Where are you from? Amarillo, Texas, but I was born in California outside of San Francisco to Manchie and Edward Cole.. Dad was in the Air Force…had eight of us children running around. Lived all over.
When did you start barrel racing? 1975 When I married Jerry Light
Who or What got you started barrel racing? My husbands family have rodeoed all there lives. My husband was a Ama., College, and PRCA competitor and winner. My daughter Scooter was a High School and College Champion winning State in Goat Tying. my youngest, Casey Jo is a senior in high school. She won her first saddle at 4yrs old. She has won several High school events. My son-in- Law is Kyle Hughes from Model Colorado. He won the rookie PRCA and is currently 9th in the All-Around and 18th in steer wrestling. My nephew is Trevor Brazille all-around cowboy in PRCA.
What was the name of your favorite horse and tell us a little about it. My favorite horse.. is a horse named Chones Charge. We were told Chone had been to the finals in the 70’s as a back up horse. He is now 30 yrs old and still going.. I traded a beautiful four year old I had gotten from Lenn Noble in Ok. for Chone when he was 22yr. He had a rough life but the horse in his time had won several big races around the Abilene Area.. and has won the Horse with the most heart award several times in the wtbra. I guess he had turned outlaw and would really do some bad things. But the first time I saw him he grabbed my heart. My girls got on him and did several things the lady said we couldn’t do. Chone was started on poles when he was 23 yr. and has won my girls several saddles. The most and exciting thing is all the stories we get from people who know this horse. and all the people that have run against this horse….from Martha Josey, Lynn McKenzie, Sharon Camarillo…and grandmothers of girls we have competed against. Chone won the horse with the most heart award at Josey’s I believe in 1994 with Casey Jo . I always wanted to let people know he was not a bad horse and that he would not hurt anyone..so when he won this award Martha Josey said this will tell the world. He is still going and still gives 150%
What are some of the events that you have won (or races that stand out in your mind)? Over the years just local jackpots. I won the 40 and over year end saddle in the PBRA that was the best. Placed in large 4d races around Tx and ok. Some year end awards with NBHA
Over the years have you noticed any changes in barrel racing what are the good or bad you’ve seen? Oh yeah diffinitely We have tried real hard to get barrel racing going in this area. I remember there use to be 4 or 5 at a jackpot…now 70 or better. We have gone from flagging to timers, from not working the arena to drags after every five runners, entering first come first up, staking the barrels to having them just set out in the arenas, measuring.. my gosh it has really changed.. money, conditions now play a big part.. from the regular jackpot to the 3-D now the 4-D. wow!!
What are the good or bad changes? Timers, concern for ground conditions the D’s..are all good…If we can get everyone from the beginners to the pros in one place and everyone feel good about running no matter who is there we’ve accomplished another step.
Do you think of yourself as a professional barrel racer? I don’t have my card but I have a lot of experience.
If your not a professional barrel racer what do you do for a living? I am a Deputy Sheriff (27 yrs). I produce barrel races with my best friend Renee Johnson. I was the first NBHA Tx1 director for 8yrs. Helped start several organization CGRA, PBRA, and now we put on independent barrel races under the name of MRBR..
Do you have any advice for anyone just starting out in barrel racing? Enjoy what you are doing.. practice.. most of all have fun…
Do you think barrel racing should be limited to women only? No! I don’t think anything should be limited to a gender. I was the first female on the street, it was tough but I did it and there for paved the way for others