Where are you from?.I am from Houston, TX but I’m now living in San Felipe, TX with my aunt and uncle.
When did you start barrel racing? I started learning how to barrel race May 2002 when I was 13. I went to my first competition in September of 2002.
Are you involved in any other equine events? Not really like I used to I still work my horse on poles or straights or run calves on him for something different to do on him anymore. I may get back into it again as soon as I get my new mare going.
Who or What got you started barrel racing? I went to the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and for the first time I actually watched the rodeo. When I was watching the barrel racing, I realized how much fun it looked. I knew my aunt and uncle had a filly that was only a week old and right then and there I wanted to start riding and barrel racing her until I found out that I had to wait till she was old enough to be broke and trained.
What was the name of your favorite horse and tell us a little about it. My favorite horse is Freckles and he’s currently my barrel horse now. He’s 14 years old and he’s a sorrel. Out of all the horses my aunt and uncle have, I never thought I would click so quickly with him. Freckles and I both learned barrels together very quickly and he will let me do anything I want with him. He’s tall, really muscular and FAST. He’s also very laid back. You know, most people speak to there horses, but Freckles and I seem to have some sort of unspoken language or trust between eachother. It’s kind of weird I guess. When we are exercising, I never talk to him. I think about it in my head and it’s like he knows. Just like it seems like he knows my name when they call it at a barrel race. He starts acting all hyper and ready to roll.
What are some of the events that you have won (or races that stand out in your mind)? Well, I have won many barrel races and lost in a lot too. I won my first saddle in GCBRA in 2003 and I won my first buckle for poles in a youth deal. That was the first saddle and buckle Freckles had ever won for anyone too
Over the years have you noticed any changes in barrel racing what are the good or bad you’ve seen? Yes. Or maybe it’s just me. It seems like more and more people are getting involved. They see they are able to put up this money in order to win it back in just a few seconds.
What is do you think of an equal pay out 4d? Well, truthfully it tends not to be my favorite for Freckles except, I really like it for my other horse I sometimes run, Junior. He’s slow but he gives his heart out for me every time. However, I honestly have never really been able to place in a 4-D equal or not. I always seem to fall in the crack – always.
Do you think of yourself as a professional barrel racer? No, I do not. But I sure would like to some day. Who wouldn’t?
If your not a professional barrel racer what do you do for a living? I’m a Junior at Bellville High School. I would like to become a horse chiropractor or something I can do that involves animals especially horses.
Who is your favorite barrel racer or barrel racers? Kelly Kaminski! She’s my favorite! I really like her attitude on things and how unique her story is about getting started in barrel racing too. I remember a time she had came out to D&D arena for an open 4-D barrel race after a few months that I had been competing and I had never thought about using a whip – I was just getting used to the spurs. One of my friends was using Kelly’s whip and thought I should try using it. So I asked her if I could and she said sure, go ahead and when I ran I made a real nice smooth run and placed 1st in the 1-D. There was also another time she had came to the same place and she had left her bell boots in her other trailer and asked if she could borrow mine. I let her use the ones that I use on my back-up horse (Junior). After she had used them, that weekend I had to go Gulf Coast Barrel Racing Association (GCBRA) and run Junior. I had never won any money on him before. We made the most prettiest run he has ever made to this day and I won first place on him..
Do you think barrel racing should be limited to women only? No, I think it’s kind of interesting when I see guys run barrels. But I guess it could be sad if they beat us. “It’s a girls sport – guys just try to do it right”