Beckett helps run Rodeo Bible Camp, Grover, Colo. June 1-4, 2010

Name: Charity Beckett [Rodeo Camp Counselor Extraordinaire]
Location: Fort Collins, Colo.
Family: Austin-Brother, Racheal-Mom, John-Dad
Work: Employed with Bank of America Home Loans for four years

Bio:
I begin running barrels when I was 10-years-old and continued through high school and college at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colo., where I got into goat tying and breakaway roping. I have continued in the breakaway and barrel racing since and I am a member of the Wyoming Rodeo Association, Women's Professional Rodeo Association and Colorado Pro Rodeo Association where I serve as the breakaway director.

My brother and I are traveling partners, we believe in surrounding ourselves with Godly people and have found that we make a good team for traveling, as there are days when he can help me when I am down and I can help him as well. My Dad and Mom also travel with us and do church services at some of the rodeos we attend throughout the summer. I feel my family is my biggest inspiration and my mom is the one that seems to always be available for me when my brother and dad can’t go with me to the rodeos, she is a huge part of my success as no matter how we do whether we win or not she is always telling us how proud she is of us and that we did a great job. My Dad I would have to say is the glue that keeps us sane and keeps us focused on what is important and that is the faith in God and helps us to keep our eyes fixed on what is above and our chin up in all circumstances.

Events:
Breakaway and Barrel Racing our my events, and my brother rides bareback horses

Horses:
Roper-Breakaway horse, Rocky, Rocket, Rooster and Roxy-Barrel horses

Camp:
We started Bible Camps with Cheyenne Cowboy church back in 2004 and have continued through out the years. We are now part of River of Life Fellowship in Wellington, Colo., and the Grover Fairgrounds is where we put on our annual Bible Camps at this time. They are always the first weekend of June and will run Friday, Saturday and Sunday where we will have a rodeo and present awards for the campers after the performance on Sunday.

Events:
Bareback

Saddle Bronc
Bull Riding
Steer Riding
Team Roping
Tie Down and Breakaway
Barrels and Poles
Goat Tying
Basic Horsemanship

Do you have a favorite?
Picking a favorite camp is virtually impossible as each year it seems they continue to get better and better with more salvations and more kids. It is a awesome time to fellowship and to have the opportunity to bring kids to know the Lord while teaching them techniques to help enhance their skills in the rodeo arena. Last year we had more than 60 students and 20 new salvations and between counselors, instructors, helpers and campers we had more than 40 rededications. There is nothing like feeling the Lord’s presence in a place like Grover, Colo. Each year it just seems God continues to out beat the year before camp and all of us that have the pleasure of being involved in the camps find our lives get changed every year in a new and better way.

Cost for camp:
Cost for the camp is $150 for timed events and $175 for rough stock.

We plan to continue to have Bible Camps as long as God lays the path and we all know there is a need for a good foundation and good structure for kids these days as they will become the leaders of our nation eventually.

Goals:
My goals in my life are to most importantly to serve God in every area of my life and to hopefully one day have the chance to make circuit finals in the barrel racing.

The kids:
he kids I feel can be themselves at our camps because they are in a setting where they feel comfortable (rodeo). There are numerous kids I see on a regular basis that have attended our camp that range from ages18-27 now that were in our camp, they come in barrel racers, ropers to saddle bronc riders bull riders and bareback riders.

Favorite Scripture?
My favorite Scripture that I try to live by is Phil. 4:13 “I can do all things in Christ Jesus who Strengthens me.” Life throws us curve balls all the time, and kids of all ages and even adults are pressured everyday by the weights and temptations of this world and I have found that if I always remember that I am strong only because of God’s strength and that no temptation, no worry and no obstacle is too big for God as long as he is my strength.


Thanks Charity - I know at least one young girl who can't wait to get there!

If anyone is interested in learning more about the camp or donating to her mission to help bring the Lord to as many kids as she can please email Charity at charitybeckett @ hotmail .com    (remove the spaces from the email address first!)  or call 970-218-2283
Grover, Colorado

June 3-6
Check in June3 from 5-8:30 p.m.
Tuition $175 for Rough Stock and $150 for Timed Events
Family Discounts available
If you are a past camper and bring a new camper discounts apply.
Deposit of $75 due by May 24th
Ages 10-18 yrs old


 

Colleen Shyrock of Yuma, Colo.

Name: Colleen Shyrock

Business: RED ROSE BLOODSTOCK, LLC & HOCH REAL ESTATE

Location: Yuma, Colo.

Family: Mark Murphy

College: Lexington Community College

Websites: http://www.redrosebloodstock.com/ and http://www.hochrealestate.com/

Are you a Colo. native?

No, I am a Kentucky native and have lived in Colorado for six years.

How long have you been involved in horses/barrel racing?
I was riding horses with my grandmother at two-years-old, and even skipped kindergarten to be able to stay home and go riding with her. We had a small dairy and after my baby calves were fed I would ride my mare in the small pen next to the barn.

I got involved with 4-H at age 9 and was very active in the local club until graduation from high school. I focused on western pleasure, horsemanship and the hunter jumper classes. When I was 14 or 15 I bought a nice Gunsmoke gelding from a friend and dabbled with barrels, poles and team penning. It was not until 2006 that I got serious about barrel racing and went to a couple of Marlene McRae’s clinics and was ready to compete again!

Where do you compete?
WPRA, NSRA, Mile Hi Barrel Horse Association, Burns Ranch Arena and as many different jackpots that I can! For 2010 I am also going to join the CPRA and WPRA.

What would be your dream race to run in?
Calgary Stampede and Pendleton, and of course the NFR would be okay with me too!

Your mentors or heroes in the BR'ing world?
I watch all the top barrel racers and rodeo competitors very close for style, technique and horsemanship.

If there was a bloodline you could bring back to life, which would it be?
I loved my Gunsmoke horse and wish there were more of those bloodlines around.

Do you have a day job as well?
I sell residential real estate in Yuma, Colo., with Hoch Real Estate.

How did you get into the livestock insurance business?
I have been in livestock insurance for ten years and got involved when I worked in the Thoroughbred breeding industry in Kentucky. I was the in house agent for a bloodstock agency and had the opportunity to learn about all type of coverage from basic mortality to stallion infertility insurance.

What kinds of livestock can be covered? (Just horses?)
We mainly stick to cattle and horses, but many different types of animals can be insured including zoo animals and exotic animals.

Your main mounts and why you love them?
Ms Fancy Jack Barr is my main horse, I have owned her for five years and learned so much from training her. She is a push style horse that tries very hard and gives me confidence.

Streakin Diablo is quickly becoming my second-in-line barrel horse. I have a feeling he will be outrunning Fancy very soon. He is big, covers the ground with ease and will not run past a barrel, which makes my job easy. He is still green, but we are going to have a fun summer! I also have several young horses that are doing well at the jackpots and will hopefully make rodeo horses in the near future.


Thanks Colleen!~

Lanette Pritchard and Tanner Time

Name: Lanette Davis Pritchard
Location: Rocky Ford, Colo.
Business: Tanner Time Training Center and Cowgirl Candy Store (Tack Store)
Family: Husband; Shane Pritchard, my best friend and my coach
Daughter: Sky Mae Bogner, runs barrel horses and ropes when she can. She Jr. rodeo’d and High School rodeo’d and won lots of titles.
Son: Tyrel Trainor competed and rode when he was very young but did sports like football and wrestling in Jr. High and High School.
College: Otero Jr. College – Rodeo Team
Websites: http://www.tannertime.com/ and http://www.cowgirlcandystore.com/

Lanette and Pistol

Brief bio: I am a native of Colorado, born in Trinidad. Parents were Don and Ethel Davis. I grew up in La Junta, Colo., with two sisters and two brothers. My dad was a calf roper and steer wrestler, and was one of the starting members of the Colorado State Rodeo Association (now CPRA). He won lots of titles in Calf roping and Steer wrestling, including national titles as a Senior Pro. Growing up, our whole family rodeo’d and competed in the local roping club events, my dad provided us with three really great horses that we all shared, including him.

Tell me about your history with barrel racing and big wins: Believe it or not I roped long before I started running barrels. In college I roped and tied goats. I joined the New Mexico State Rodeo Association in the 80’s because it offered breakaway roping before Colorado did. I always loved running barrels but, my dad trained roping horses. The roping horses had to run barrels so they while they were good at local stuff, we were not really competitive in barrels at big rodeos.

I have not kept up with all my winnings and titles. Back in 90’s I ran a gray horse named Spinner that really got me into the barrel racing scene. I was one of the first members of COBRA, which was a numbered organization, like team roping is now. They numbered the horse and rider and you entered your number combination class. Spinner was just loping when we started in 1995 and by 1997 we were competing in rodeo’s, winning the Rocky Mountain Rodeo Association barrel racing title in 1997, along with the Horse of the Year title for 1997. I started the NBHA District 6 in Southern Colorado in the early 90’s and did that until we moved to Dallas, Texas, in 1998 to start doing Tanner Time. At that time we started hauling to big races like NBHA Super Shows and NASHORSE barrel races around the country. We would be in Florida one weekend and Reno, Nev., the next weekend. While doing Tanner Time and teaching barrel racing clinics with Lynn McKenzie we would pack up the motor home and leave in March and not get back to Colorado until July. So it was really hard to keep a horse going. My daughter started running Spinner at High School rodeos, and, did very well until he got hurt.

Tell me about the challenges of living in Southern Colorado such as 1. traveling to have to compete and 2. trying to put on events and get people to travel to you: Living in South East Colorado is a blessing and a curse. We have great winter weather, not much snow and we usually get to ride all winter long in outdoor arenas. The curse is we have to travel an hour or longer to get to any of the barrel races. It is really hard to get to go north to the barrel races in the winter.

Therefore we do not get a lot of northern runners down here either. When the weather is good, we have lots of barrel racers that come and stay the whole weekend to run in our jackpots and use the Tanner Time system to work on their runs. We do not have a lot going on outside of the TTC (Tanner Time Training Center) arena in the winter. I do not get to barrel race very much in the winter, because I do not compete at the barrel races I produce. The TTC is a business to Shane and me. We have been privileged to be a part of producing some of the biggest barrel races around the United States so when we put on a race at our arena we try to do it the right way.

Shane runs the tractor and keeps the ground great, and videos all the runs. I run the office, announcing, timing and taking entries. I want every rider to feel welcome and be glad they are coming to our races, therefore I want to take the time to help them. I never run at our races because we never want the runners to feel slighted or that the only reason they are there is for me to take their money. I am always looking for other barrel races to run at, but they can be hard to find without having to travel several hours. When God spoke to me and told me to build the Tanner Time Training Center in Rocky Ford, Colo., I tried to explain to him that I lived in Southern Colorado where if 15 barrel racers showed up for a barrel race that was great. But, he has blessed us with great turn outs for our barrel races and super people to work with for the clinics. He always knows what he is doing and does it with people that would not be able to do it on their own.

Where are you putting on events and what are they? We offer barrel races to the public with Tanner Time reports and video available for each run for the barrel racer to study. We hope to be able to buy the land next to us so we can have more parking in the future so that we can offer two-day barrel races with much more added money and church services for the barrel racers. We offer barrel racing clinics, pole bending clinics and horsemanship clinics here at the TTC. I give private riding and barrel racing lessons here at the TTC. I provide horse and saddle for people that want to learn to ride but do not have a horse. A lot of people come from out of state with their friends and family to train here at the TTC.

Do you train as well? I train my own horses as well as client’s horses. I have two really nice finished mares for sale right now that run barrels and poles.

If so, what do you love about training? I love training horses and helping the client with their barrel racing which in turn helps the horse. I love showing a horse an easier way of running barrels, one that is not hard on them and is easier and faster to learn. Horses can only do so much, and a lot of times riders are asking them to do something they can not do physically. We have to show them a way that is as fast in each part of the pattern (verified by Tanner Time) but also physically possible for the horse. I introduce them to the proper saddle and tack to also help them become a better barrel racer. You would be surprised what a good saddle can do for your riding and how happy it can make your horse when it really fits.

How many horses do you have - your own, outside horses? I own six and have three outside horses right now.

Tell me about your main mount: Skip’s Knut, aka Pistol, is a beautiful bay mare. She is a registered Paint. I have had her since she was a year-old, and she is now a finished barrel horse that is also running 22 second poles. This mare is so much fun to ride and I love her but, she has proven to run better for a younger rider so I have her for sale. We have been running in the 1D locally and I believe she is now ready for bigger shows and rodeo.

Lanette and her horse Easy - 16.445 at a Mile Hi event

Tell me about Tanner Time and why it works (or is a good thing)? Tanner Time is one of the most awesome tools a barrel racer can use. It breaks up your time into seven segments to tell you how fast or slow you are running in your barrel pattern and compares your time segments to the top three runners of that barrel race. With this, we can help you find those tenths or seconds that are hurting your run. I have saved a lot of horses that the husband thought could not run very fast when TT proved them able to run just not fast enough in the turns. When I go over the TT report, I can usually find one good segment to make the rider feel good about their run. Lots of times I have helped the rider find what is costing them the most time in their run. We discuss how to change it and in their next run they improve.

Tell me about the saddle line and your tack shop: Because my store is very small I try to carry only top quality saddles, pads, bits and tack. I can get almost anything the rider is looking for; I just have to order it. I primarily carry Double J Saddles because I think they are the best barrel saddle being built.

Because they offer four different trees, we can find a saddle that really fits the horse and the rider. I love riding them. I also carry Alamo saddles and lots of used saddles that I have on consignment. I have new and used tack at the store and I bring it with me to larger barrel races where we set up our tack trailer. The Cowgirl Candy Store is my on-line web site where you can buy it now.

Don't you have tester bits and everything you haul with you? That's a real bonus! Yes, I have bits from the Lynn McKenzie Signature Myler line and other bits for riders to try, as well as saddles and pads. When you have to pay a lot of money for good quality equipment its nice to get to try it out first and make sure it is going to work for you and your horse. We offer this to anyone that comes to the TTC or the tack trailer.

How many shows do you travel to a year? I usually start traveling in March and try to hit at least two local barrel races during the week and three bigger shows a month on the weekends. I try to spend at least one weekend a month with my husband doing what he likes to do, riding motorcycles. This year my goal is to buy my WPRA permit and hit some rodeos, before I turn 50!

What is your dream show that you'd like to get to? I timed some of the first World Barrel Races and I always wanted to run at one, now I guess I will never get to. I loved running at the Mile Hi slot race this fall. It was exciting. I hope to get to run at many slot races in the future. Like everyone, I have always dreamed of running at the NFR!

Are you competing? Yes, and even at my age I am still competitive and I am blessed to get to ride really nice horses. I have learned a lot from Lynn McKenzie over the years and it has really helped me in my training and competition. She is a great role model for barrel racers that want God in their life as well as barrel racing.

What is your fondest (or funniest) memory of racing or training? My fondest memory is of my biggest rodeo. In 1997, I got to go to South Carolina and run at the NARC (North American Rodeo Commission) finals, the run was on TV and I got to sign autographs. The worst thing that happened to me was also at that rodeo. I really messed up my first run because of stage fright. My horse had to make the run pretty much on his own therefore, we ended up second in the average and I could have won it. Another great memory was this year, when I was running at the Mile Hi Finals slot race. I felt like I was running for all my friends and family that were cheering for me. I think I made them proud and it was so exciting. I ran a mare that I had only been riding since July so we were still trying to get it all together. I hope to be back there this year and do even better.

Is there anything that you want to add that I'm not thinking to ask? I just love teaching and running barrels and God has blessed me with the greatest play pen in the world here at the TTC, I get to compare my runs with Tanner Time and the world’s greatest horses. I have a wonderful husband that makes it possible and supports everything I do. I feel so blessed and I just want to share it with others.

Thanks Lanette!

Dan Ballard: 23 and has traveled to 40 countries already!

Name: Dan Ballard

Age: 23

Location: La Junta Colo.

Hometown: Kim Colo.

College: Decided to travel instead.

Family: Jean, Jeff, Doug

Camera used: Nikon D700

http://www.danballardphotography.com/

So, what started your interest in photography? I started traveling, and of course I wanted to take memory shots like everyone else. Each trip I got a little more serious about it, and now its a big part of my life.
                                                                                                                                                   
You are so young, how did you get so good? (laugh) I would argue that. I have a long, long way to go before I will consider myself good. But in reality, photography is more about hard work then anything else. Willingness to get up at 3 am in the freezing cold over and over again is half the battle in getting a good shot.

Is this your forever career goal? Definitely

Racer at Tanner Time event in Rocky Ford.

How many places have you been? Around 40 countries, on five continents.

What was your favorite? Very, very tough question! I can narrow it down to three, but one is impossible. Turkey, Laos, and Bolivia (in no order)

Why? A combination of amazing cultures, stunning landscapes, great food, and just plain good vibes.

Is there any place you'd never go back to? No, I can't even think of a place I didn't like.

If you could live anywhere forever, where would it be (or could you do that after being a gypsy?)?Staying in one place is hard for me:) But to be totally honest, home is home. I have no plans to leave Southeast Colorado permanently.

What is your day like? Traveling (laugh) -- things move much slower at home! (but that's okay, it's nice to have a warm bed and more then three shirts:) Normally I'm out taking photo's at least four or five times a week (early morning and late evening). And I work as graphic design artist/laser engraving tech in my parents business during the day to pay the bills.

How did you get into barrel racing photos? I'm really interested in western photography in general, and barrel racing is a great part of that. It's great for action shots and wild expressions.

Do you like it (I like your shots btw)? It depends. If I am just doing it to get a few keepers for my gallery, I love it. If I have to get every racer and have to forget about being an artist because I'm getting paid, no not all that much.

Is barrel racing something you are going to pursue or is it just something that was close and they needed you? I basically try to go where the cowboy/cowgirls are. There's as much chance that a favorite image will come from the parking lot when everyone's loading up as from the race or rodeo itself.

What are your future plans (just in general)? I would love to see Africa, so that's my biggest plan as of now. Hopefully I will make it over within a year or two. I also want to publish a book (of images) on western photography.

On 2-7-10 we lost an awesome horse “Jewels” ridden by Tiffany Dziuban. I have seen some of the best barrel horses in the world and this mare was right up there with them. She had so much heart and she loved her job and her rider. Tiffany loved riding this mare so much she would come home after work and saddle her up in the dark and ride when it was below freezing. She took such good care of her, putting laser lights on her for hours the night before she would run her and much more. She was a friend and companion and she will be missed very much! ---- Lynette Pritchard

What are your prices like? I have the prices for prints on my site, but if someone wants to hire me to take racing or just family pics at the ranch they can call me at 719-469-0608. If they want creative shots and I can do my own thing my prices go way down.

Thanks Dan - very, very impressive for 23!!

World breakaway roping championship for Fowler resident, Tana Fellhauer

By Elaine White

Fowler Tribune

Posted Feb 03, 2010 @ 06:51 PM

Fowler, Colo. —

A lifetime of hard work, dedication and living her dream has culminated in a world breakaway roping championship for Fowler resident, Tana Fellhauer. In November, Fellhauer, a 2003 graduate of Fowler High School claimed the Women's Professional Rodeo Association world title in Tulsa, Okla., by a mere two tenths of a second.

Fellhauer practically grew up on the back of a horse, first riding at the age of three years old, then competing in Little Britches Rodeo when she turned six. The daughter of Bill and Linda Fellhauer, she and her sister Becky regularly helped their dad on the family farm and ranch. Over the years, Fellhauer says she tried every event available; barrel racing, goat tying, team roping and breakaway, but always had a knack for roping. Fellhauer also trains colts and found breakaway roping was a good fit for her young charges.
Read more here:

http://www.fowlertribune.com/features/x1090837235/Fellhauer-claims-world-title

Karrie Dean of Yoder, Colorado, works the horse events with her camera

Name: Karrie Dean
Business: KD Photography http://www.karriedeanphotography.com/ kar2774@hughes.net

Tell me why on earth you are getting in the dirt and standing in the sun to take photos of snot nosed little kids riding horses (don't worry, I won't print the question like that..........LOL): {I lied}

I stand in the hot sun, sweat and get dirty....because I love getting that perfect action shot or capturing the look on the riders face! I have also found that some riders use my photos as learning tools for themselves!

Ardith Bruce, 1964 World Champion, 78 years young competing in

Fountain, Colo., at a small riding club in 2009.

Tell me about your kids:

I have three, very entertaining, adorable boys. Dallas is almost 11-years-old, thoughtful and kind. He enjoys sports and playing his accoustic and electric guitars. Dyllan will be 9-years-old in a few weeks. He is very outgoing and inquisitive. He loves to read, play basketball and baseball. Justin is almost 7-years-old. He is very quite, shy and yet has a great sense of humour. This kiddo loves to spending time at home.

Tell me about your camera:

The main camera that I use is a Digital Canon EOS Xs. For the action shots I use a 75-300mm lens. I also have two film cameras, a Minolta QTsi and an old Minolta X-570.

Tell me how long you've been taking photos:

I have been taking photos since High School. I fell in love with the camera when I took a photography class and became a yearbook photographer. That was the only photography class I have taken. Over the past 18 years I have collected knowledge from books, other photographers, the internet and trail and error. Sometimes those are the best ways to learn. Recently I was asked to teach a photography class at Ellicott Elementary School. That was an honor. Seeing the student's world through their eyes was incredible!

The best part of doing it?

Being able to capture the beauty, the emotion and the fun in the world is truly the best part of my business. Besides my family, photography is my passion.

What other events do you try to cover or hope to cover?

I try to cover a variety of events and subjects. My goal is to be a verstile photographer with very few limits. Currently I have taken individual/team shots for local sports teams and games. Also horse shows/events, weddings, family photos and Senior photos. I also volunteer my time and efforts for some school events. These photos are displayed in the Ellicott Elementary School.

The worst part of doing it?

For me, there isn't a "worst" part of doing this. It is hard to find a downside to something you love doing.

FRRC gymkhana rider, 2009

Do you have a million shots of your own kids or is it like the mechanic with the broken car?

Yes I do have a million shots of my kids. They are mostly "candids" and not portraits. Those are my favorite types of pictures to take. I find that candid shots capture the personnality of the subject the best. Where I lack are photos of myself - It is hard to get pictures of you when you are the one behind the camera!

Future goals (in general)?

We will set up a studio for indoor portraits. I would like do more marketing and advertising. One of my dreams is to have my work displayed in an art exhibit.

What events are you not doing right now that you'd like to do?

I would like to offer my services for Birthday parties, Baby showers, Family reunions, Dances, School field trips, etc. How many times are the parents or hosts too busy to take pictures at their events? Even if they do, like me, they are not in any of the shots.

I could not do what I love without the support and acceptance from my wonderful family, friends and community members!

I often work with my trusted associate Terri Fannin. She has been a great friend and inspiration for me and my business! I often call on Terri when a second photographer is needed. She brings an artistical "eye" and outlook to any of our jobs together.

Karrie Dean and her son, 2009

Thanks Karrie - sorry for spelling your name wrong for a year!!!! But I was a reallllllly good customer :)

Kelly Yates of Pueblo, Colorado

Name: Kelly Yates

Location: Pueblo, Colo.

Business: http://www.kellyyates.com/

Family: Jan and Dick Yates, parents—J.D. Yates, brother—Trey Yates, nephew

College: University of Southern Colorado (now CSU Pueblo) graduated from Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas

Brief overview of your start in horses and your family:

I was put on a horse the day a came home from the hospital—it has been a part of me forever. We grew up in a rodeo family and we have been extremely thankful and successful; but it has been a lot of hard work, but I wouldn't change it for anything.

How long barrel racing and were you doing something else before that or has it always been barrel racing?

I ran barrels at the age of five—high school rodeo—college rodeo—became a professional at the age of 13 so I could go with my father. I competed in the goat tying, breakaway roping, barrels and poles, and also team roped. I was a gymnast for seven years and a cheerleader also in junior high and high school.

Your main mount?

I train and raise horses and have been successful on several of them. My claim to fame is Firewater Fiesta, she was a winner in the barrel futurities, derby’s and pro competition. She became lame at nine and now is producing babies.

How many do you work with on average?

Anywhere from three to six—depends on my schedule and my location. I have a place in Ft. Worth and when I go to Texas I only take three horses with me, and leave the others in Pueblo.

Do you take in outside horses?

No, I do not anymore---I will just ride colts out of Fiesta; as I sell the eggs to her.

Tell me how you split your time between states and why?

I enjoy the holidays with my family and return back to Texas the end of January, stay there for two or three months and come back to Pueblo. Trade horses and go back south for a few rodeos and the Ft. Smith Futurity, then I came back to my new home in Pueblo; rodeo thru the summer and fall, then go back the end of September and stay thru December at the World Championship Barrel Futurity.

Tell me about your breeding program and how that's going?

It is going great!!! The first set of colts out of Fiesta were 4-year-olds last year (2009) and the the colts that were in the futurities estimated $80,000.

How is Denver going?

My horse worked nice, but I realized why my time was not as I expected . . . I started to the left of the alley way and when I crossed the time line, I crossed it to the left of the electric eye which made my time be a little longer. I should have went more down the middle of the alley and go straighter to the first barrel (right). The pattern is set square with the alley, but not square with the arena; which means it is set at an angle. Me, the pilot, got in the way!!

Where are you competing nowadays?

I have another Fiesta colt for the futurities this year; plus I will go to some rodeos. I will be riding two Fire Water Flit horses: one I raised that is now eight, I C Elegance and a 7-year-old gelding " Flyin Hi Firewater"

Do you ever see yourself going for the NFR again? Or is that always in the back of your mind?

Times have changed, and I do have some bad memories from the NFR. I really like riding my colts, as I have a lot of patience with them. It's a lot of work to get to the NFR, and then it’s work and time consuming for 10 more days. Yes it does cross my mine, but when I said times have changed, they have. It is real hard to go down the rodeo when there are rodeos that limit their entries. It is not profitable for me to go across the country to try and win money to be able to go limited rodeos. I've been there and done that and I am enjoying riding my colts and spending time with my family.

Worst habit? Smoking

Best attribute? I am a very giving person.

If you weren't barrel racing, what would you be doing?

As a child I always was fixing peoples hair; so if I wasn't barrel racing I would own a beauty salon.

Any other horse sports that you love?

I like watch Quarter Horse Racing, the quality of horses at the World QH Show, team roping and I like to watch a calf roping.

If there was one thing you could change about how people enter the arena (or a bad habit you see on a regular basis) what would that be?

My main concern in the 4D or 5D barrel races is SAFETY . . . people don't watch out for other contestants or horses. Be considerate of others during the warm up time and stay out of the way. A number of accidents happen when people are not thinking about others and just themselves. If there is a person having trouble entering the arena, be kind and ask if they need assistance, or stay away from the situation.

Best part of the sport?

It's exciting, fast and the spectators love it. The people you meet are great and you are never too old to learn. The stories, learning experiences, and knowledge is worth a million dollars.

Worst part of the sport?

I feel the worst part of the barrel racing industry is paying equally throughout the divisions . . . this happens a lot in barrel races in Texas more than Colorado. You should want to get better and your horse also, but paying equally is not an incentive.

Thanks for your time Kelly!