Posts
Name: Laura LambertFamily: Husband, Ricky; sons, Brayden, 8, Boedy, 1.
College: University of Northern Colorado
Give us a brief background on where you grew up and how long you've been racing?
We lived around Brighton, Colo., until I was about 9-years-old and then my family bought a small ranch in the Wiggins, Colo., area. My husband and I just recently returned to the area to be closer to our parents and keep the kids close to their grandparents. I grew up on a horse, no doubt. I can remember using a bucket to saddle my horse and climbing up on him like a monkey. So, I've been a barrel racer for as long as I can remember. I guess I've been competing for about 30 years.
Tell us what is keeping you busy right now?
Currently, I have a lot of things that keep me busy, I am the general manager for Great West Trailer and Truck in Fort Morgan, Colo.; I am a freelance writer for Barrel Horse News and the Rodeo Insider; I ride barrel horses both for myself and for clients; and my biggest and most important job of being a mom and wife. My two boys keep me busy all the time.
Why did you decide to run for a position with the WPRA?
The WPRA is in an important time of change. I am thankful for all the WPRA has done for me over the years. I can't say that I really had full intentions of running for the director. There were a lot of people calling me asking me to run and I guess over the course of time I realized that I wanted to give back.
What is that like?
I'm not going to lie . . . being a director is a lot more than I expected. There have been a lot of trying times and there are going to be many more challenging struggles ahead. I enjoy what I am doing and I really try to make the right decisions. I think the members really need to educate themselves on what it means to be the director and what our duties really include. There are a lot of misconceptions out there as to what the director can and should do.
What do you do as a Mountain States Director?
I'm not sure I could list all the things a director does as I'm sure I would leave some things out but just to give a small example: the director approves all of the rodeo submittals including the slack times; contacts the committees to work out slacks, setting the pattern, and answers any questions they may have; answers contestants questions regarding rules, Procom, entries, etc.; sets the patterns at major rodeos, and for that matter any rodeo where the committee requests your help; attends all board meetings; deals with the business of the association (this is the one that I know most contestants have no idea what it entails); serves on multiple committees; etc, etc, etc. Like I said, this is just a sampling. There is so much more. It truly is a huge commitment.
What is the best part of it?
The best part of being the director for me is continuing to make relationships. I am the judging liaison and I really enjoy that. I get to meet a lot of great people and I enjoy building friendships and moving our sport forward for the betterment of everyone involved.
What is the hardest part of it?
The hardest part would be two things for me: one of the hardest things for me is that I really take pride in what I do and when you get "crucified" by contestants when they don't understand your role or all of the things that you have done behind the scenes, it is pretty hard sometimes. One thing that I have learned through serving as a director is that as a contestant, you really need to take a step back and look at all the factors before you criticize what someone is doing. In the heat of the moment sometimes that's really hard because you can only see what has just happened to you, but it's pretty important because most of the time the director, the judge, the tractor man, whoever it is, has been giving their all. It doesn't mean that I'm not going to make mistakes and I hope that I learn from each situation, but I know that the directors have the best intentions. The second thing is the time commitment. There are many days that all I do is work on the WPRA issues. The phone time is incredible. Many times, I feel like all I do is answer the phone regarding the WPRA. I know the choice I made and I know what I promised to do, so I'm doing it the best way I can.
Tell us about your writing experience and how you ended up with BHN?
I truly enjoy writing. Through many life experiences, I learned that you really need to love what you do every day. I set out with the intention to set my life up so that I could enjoy every day. There are so many people out there that don't enjoy their work. I am a truly blessed to be able to say that I love what I do. I love to write, I love to ride barrel horses and when you can combine the two—who wouldn't be thrilled?
Tell us about your own racing, how long, big wins, etc.?
I have been competing for about 30 years now. I started out in 4-H, Little Britches and High School Rodeo. I am, what I call an "old timer" because back when I decided to buy my permit in the WPRA, you couldn't go to amateur rodeos if you had your card. So, I chose to just keep buying my permit so that I could go to all of the rodeos. I was really blessed to have a great horse Estee when I bought my permit. Every year I filled all three permits and had to quit going (that was the rule back then). I've qualified for the Mountain States Circuit Finals 12 or 13 times. I've been to the Dodge National Circuit Finals once and I'm headed back there again in April. I was certainly blessed to become the Mountain States Circuit Champion in 2009. I won the Colorado Professional Rodeo Association in 2007 along with winning the average at the finals. There have been a lot of wins that are special to me over the years but I would say winning the short round at Cheyenne Frontier Days this year would be one of the highlights. That is my biggest career win as far as the most money won at one rodeo.
Who is your main mount right now?
Frenchmans Easy Snip is the main guy right now. I have a few others that help him along the way but he is the one I can count on every single time. He is a joy to own.
How many horses are you working with (outside or your own)?
I have five horses that are rodeo ready. Then I always have a few colts. I don't ever take more than two outside horses in the winter and then I decide every summer how many I'll take depending on the rodeo schedule I intend to keep. It's important to me that I do what I say I'm going to do so I try not to overload the riding schedule because I'm the kind that I'll give up sleep in order to get everything done and then I end up making myself sick. So, I try to keep a balance. I am sure I take on too much sometimes, but in the end I feel like I make sure I "do right" by people. That includes the horses that I sell.
Where do your kids compete, if applicable?
My son Brayden doesn't have the passion for horses like we do so he doesn't compete with the horses. He plays football and is getting ready to start basketball. He likes computers and probably knows more about them than I do. Boedy isn't old enough yet, but I can already tell he is going to be a competitor. He loves the horses and goes non-stop. I keep telling my husband that he better get ready because Boedy is going to need a horse and he is going to be one of those "full-time" competitors.
Where does your husband compete, if applicable?
Ricky is a calf roper and he competes in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), Colorado Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA), United States Calf Roping Association (USCRA), Nebraska State Rodeo Association (NSRA), and at jackpots. He also team ropes, but his love is certainly calf roping. He trains some incredible horses and always has some for sale. (I’m tired just reading that!)
Where do you compete?
I compete in the WPRA, CPRA, NSRA, Mile Hi Barrel Horse Association, some futurities, and lots of jackpots.
What are you goals for rodeo/racing?
I guess I would have to say right now that my goals are to continue to have nice horses and enjoy what I do, wherever that may be. I also enjoying selling and training horses and seeing others go on and do great on my horses or horses that I have helped them with. That's where I'm starting to focus a lot of my time and energy.
Favorite rodeo?
I enjoy Cheyenne and Casper, Wyo. But, there are so many it's hard to pick a favorite.
Favorite movie?
We just watched The Hangover and it was hilarious but my favorite movie would be Tombstone.
Traveling with rodeo dogs?
We have a Maltese, Haylee, and she is with us most of the time. She's sort of a prissy rodeo dog because she is pure white and I'm pretty protective of her. She's so little that I don't let her around the horses much. I guess it wasn't the best choice of "rodeo" dogs. We also have two border collies here at the house, but they don't travel with us.
Hardest rodeo you've ever competed at?
Each and every rodeo is tough in its own way.
Most fun rodeo you've ever competed at?
Cheyenne, Wyo.
Thanks Laura !!
