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Name: Bonnie Wheatley
Business: Hobby/side business: Spin3 Productions www.spin3productions.com
Location: Calhan, CO
Brief Background:
Born in Bozeman, Mont., and moved to Colorado about 15 years ago. I grew up a horse trainer's kid so we lived in some different places over the years. I have the best parents ever.
Watch Bonnie run at Fountain on a Friday night from this summer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urkqUimpL-c
Family:
Sage, 3, and Regan, 7 - they are awesome kids! We're blessed beyond measure. My husband, Scot, is a former bull rider who converted to team roping a few years back
College:
UC Davis, with a BA in Literature. I've learned a lot through the years from the mistakes I've made!
Tell me about your career:
I was honored to get the position of Editor with BHN after freelancing for BHN for quite a few years. I also worked for the WPRA for a couple of years before managing the PBR's Challenger Tour. I later worked in the PR/Marketing Dept for the PBR and learned a great deal in my 10 years with the PBR. It's incredible to be part of the growth of such an organization. I met some very fantastic people there and now at BHN I work with and interview some really awesome people.
Future plans:
Just keep doing what I love to do, work hard and raise two great kids. I pray for strength every day to get it all done.
Bonnie runs the Super Race in May and in September. How did you come into that business?
Nancy Rinaldo offered to let me purchase her business after the passing of her parents. It has been a real learning process but it's a fulfilling business. I think our first one was in September '07. I got into doing the races because basically I didn't want to see them go away and Nancy and Ty had done an awesome job with them over the years. Between her and her sister they had done them for almost 20 years when I came on the scene.
Tell me about the race:
In a nutshell the events pay out approximately $90,000 annually in cash and awards combined. We do two big races – one in September and one in May - 2010 dates are May 8-10 and Sept 5-7, 2010 and once in a while a smaller one in between.
One thing about events is that they are only as good as the people you have working. That's number one - a great crew and I'm thankful to have one! Every single crew member is integral - you can't do it without them all knowing and loving what they do. I'd say the rakers we have are the very best I've ever seen anywhere.
Best memory so far:
I'd say my best memory so far would be our September 2009 event - it was truly our best and they continue to get better. When you present a Bob Berg buckle to someone that is truly gracious and proud to wear it because they understand how tough the competition
at our event is, that is gratifying every single time.
The hardest part?
Hardest part is for sure trying to keep everyone happy. And the weather.
Who are you affiliated with?
We are affiliated with MHBHA, SCBRA, AW4D, BBR, ABRA - we get a lot of approvals because I feel it's important for the barrel racers to have options. These organizations are all well-established and also help promote us.
What sets your races apart?
In my mind it is the ground and overall production quality that sets the races apart. It's always been my goal for it to be a tough race where legitimate professionals can showcase their horses’ right along with the novice riders and horses, the kids, etc. I think when you draw the top names it gives all of us something cool to watch. It raises the bar. We had a 16.8 run on a standard pattern at the September event and it was truly awesome - I think everyone there could appreciate that it was a special moment.
Tell me about the novice program:
The Novice programs are awesome because it gives every level of horse and rider a place to compete and excel in a non-intimidating atmosphere where great prizes and payouts are available.
Personal goals with barrel racing:
My personal goals are always to do the best I can with what I have. I like a horse that is calm, broke and wants to run the barrels. My ultimate goal is to have a horse that is nice to ride at the rodeo or at the ranch. I know it doesn't always go that way with barrel horses but that's the kind of horse I prefer. My goal for the next couple of years is to have a snaffle bit horse in training with my dad. I've always loved showing at RHAA shows and to do that and rodeo is just a special mix to me. It's what I grew up around and what I want my kids to be exposed to. Great horsemanship is, at the end of the day, what it's all about to me. I love doing cowboy stuff, just about anytime I can. I love that lifestyle and want it for my kids. I love it when we get invited to a branding or get to go to a show. Just being around good hands is a treat and they always tend to have the best manners too - it's special.
Who is your main mount right now?
My main mount right now is a Sun Frost/Flaming Jet bred horse called Shadow that I recently bought from Laura Lambert. He is wonderful and is a young horse that I have high hopes for. He has a great mind and is very athletic and enjoyable.
Tell us about your sponsors:
My sponsors are great because they have the same desires I do - to promote barrel racing, the Western lifestyle and family-oriented activities. We all want an event that caters to the family where you can bring your kids to ride and enjoy safe, wholesome entertainment. Great West Truck and Trailer has been a major sponsor the past couple of years and we've had people just jump on board and want to help since we started this, like Emerald Ranch and the Colorado Springs Visitor's Bureau. Sponsorship is a huge challenge especially in these times.
Tell us your funniest story so far:
There are always funny things that happen that you don't really think are funny at the time and that maybe you hope that no one else noticed except for you! I guess the first race we did was the biggest cluster ever and I'm really happy to say that they're a whole lot more organized now. Once in the very beginning I thought Ty Rinaldo had the rakers lined up and he didn't and it made for a pretty hilarious first day (I can say it was hilarious now, but it was very tense then). That was pretty epic and quite an initiation. People just pitched in and helped out and that's what makes any event work is when the barrel racers are helpful and the crew is working hard . . . even if it's a rough day, you get through it. And if you can laugh at the end of the day then you know you have your priorities straight anyway! It can be exhausting and fun all at the same time.
Anything you want to add?
My goal is just that people have a fun time and enjoy each other in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere where they want to return. I love that people camp out and enjoy each other after the race is done. It's like being at a big camp full of horses and people you like! That's what I want as a producer: FUN.
