Where are you from? I was born in Tyler,Tx. I have lived all around the east Texas area. The current town I live in is Henderson,Tx. For the last 18 yrs.
When did you start barrel racing? 1989 started at the local playdays.
Are you involved in any other equine events? No other equine events at this time. I used to Team Pen yrs ago when it first started.
Who or What got you started barrel racing? When I was 13 yrs old we had our horses at a stable. There was a girl there that was training barrel horses. I used to watch her and really fell in love with it. She took her own life at 18 yrs old. I wanted to keep learning in memory to her.
On the road things sometimes happen. Do you have an unusual or funny story? At one big barrel racing event there was like 700 riders and I was up for hours waiting my turn. Like 4am that morning I got to make my run. At the time I was ridding 2 horses. One went to the left and the other to the right. I was so tired I ran the left handed horse to the right barrel first. I was so suprised that the horse made a money winning time. When I came out my friend goes what horse are you ridding? I said Boogie. She said don’t he go to the left barrel first? I said yes. She said well you went to the right barrel first. Ha Ha We all got a big laugh at that one for days.
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 purcI have 2 favorite horses. The first one name was Ramblin Troubles(Beau). I trained him for the fall futurities. I placed in the top 5 for the first one. The secound one , I won. The third one he caught a bad cold. I took him every barrel race you could go to over the next 5 yrs. He won buckles ,saddles, arena records. He was one of my horses from God I asked for him and I got him. He know lives in Oklahoma retired. The secound horse was a horse named Haley Glo Uno. (Squirrel). He was the secound horse God gave me. I took him to Pro Rodeos. He did great . I won WPRA rodeos. He was great . I loved both of theses horses, Still do. They were gifts much appreciated. The made me who I am today.
What are some of the events that you have won (or races that stand out in your mind)? I have won many Barrel Races. Rodeos, Super Shows ect. I have won Horse Trailer, Saddles, Buckles, ect. To many to list all wins are special to me. I have won all this on many different clients horses.
Over the years have you noticed any changes in barrel racing what are the good or bad you’ve seen? The changes of course are the D’s in barrel racing. I am a charter member of the NBHA . The design of the D’s was to help the little guy out. I like the 3-D system. But I did see the need for the 1/2 off horse. I think the D’s should be 4-D.
What is do you think of an equal pay out 4d? Personally, I do not agree with equal payout. Some feel it is discriminating against the 1D/2D horses.
Do you think of yourself as a professional barrel racer? Yes I am a professional barrel horse trainer. I have 2 available spots open at this time.
Who is your favorite barrel racer or barrel racers? The 2 girls that helped me at the start and I learned different things from both is Shelly Gish and Linda Fletcher. I also got to go to the futurities in the early 90’s and watched the best train horses in the practice pen. No exhb. then just open area. I would set for hours and watch and learn. I meet Talmadge Green and he was such a big help and nice to me. We are still friends today. I use to watch Dena Kirpatrick all the time . I love her style.
Do you think barrel racing should be limited to women only? Barrel races should not be limited to women. I still believe that Rodeos should be for women only
To see some of the barrel races Shantae has won money click here