In 2015, Lakeland Rodeo Association barrel racer Stacey Ruzicka took home $8676.92 and went into Finals in fourth position. By the Sunday afternoon final performance, she had no idea she was in contention for the Championship title.
The Bentley, Alberta resident started out the season strong by winning High Prairie rodeo, the first co-approved rodeo of the year by three tenths. She also won Mayerthorpe, Lamont, and Smoky Lake, which also helped shoot her to the top of the standings in the Wild Rose Rodeo Association, and kept her well in the running for the L.R.A Finals. Stacey also made the Foothills Rodeo Association Finals, all on her bay mare, Known To Be Wild Cs by Known For Dash (going back to First Down Dash) and out of Running Wild Annie on the bottom ( by Page Oh Bobby). In 2012 she was the Central Alberta Rodeo Association Champion, and from there she kept on climbing.
Stacey grew up in Viking, Alberta being around Percherons and Quarter Horses that her Grandpa and Uncle’s raised. Her Uncle John got her hooked on the need for speed by taking her to roping jackpots and putting her on his many rope horses to run barrels. At 15 years old she made her first LRA Finals and is now proving at 37, that with hard work and determination you can be at the top.
We caught up with Stacey shortly after her run at the Lakeland Rodeo Finals to learn more about her and her great mare Kaye.
Stacey and Kaye
What was your favorite rodeo to run at this year and why?
Well Lamont was a huge win and was shocked when I heard my time of 15.441, which put us in the lead by 3 tenths.
How long have you owned Kaye for, who broke her, and who put the pattern on her?
She was bred by Colin Balin from Elk Point and I purchased her from Melissa Anderson as a green broke 3 year old and have done the barrel work myself. I definitely don’t consider myself a trainer but have taken a few Connie Combs clinics and mostly just “trained” what I’ve learned from her. There have been lots of people along the way with advice that I gladly listen to but I’ve learned to listen to your gut and know your horse and their style. What works for one doesn’t work for all. A well-known trainer Joe Butterfield definitely had an influence on her training helping me get her more broke.
Does Kaye have any quirks?
She can get her head up and dance around a bit before our run but that’s her telling me, “I’m ready let’s do this!” She’s a great traveling partner, especially for a mare, she gets along with any horse.
What saddle, bit and pad do you use on her?
Bit wise Kaye uses a Connie Combs stabilizer. I ride her in Tammy Key Fischers treeless with the Saddle-Right Pad and a Back on Track liner underneath. I also bought a Lisa Lockhart saddle this year and use a 5 star pad. I switch back and forth depending on how I feel that day.
What does your warm up consist of with her?
Basically we just long trot and lope a couple circles, I keep it simple.
Did you do anything differently at finals than a regular season rodeo run?
No I keep it all consistent, they’re all rodeo runs and this is just the end of the season .
Do you have any pre-run rituals?
I stay pretty relaxed before, I had done a lot of reading on mental preparation a few years ago and I just stay confident and know what I’ve got. I think we can overthink things and cause more problems, for me anyway. This year, I just go in a pick my spot on my first barrel and have learned to never quit riding aggressive because it’s not always the prettiest run that wins, it’s the fastest. Be confident in you and your horse and go for it.
Tell us about how finals were for you this year. Did you have any specific goals going into finals?
You know what; I just wanted to keep all my barrels up. I had a bad WRA Finals last year and tipped every round and all were MY fault. I never blame my horse, 99% of the time its rider error. Going into the last round, I had no idea I was even in contention to win. I don’t like to hear times or see who’s leading for points. People put too much pressure on themselves and then make mistakes. “Just go win the round” was all I wanted on Sunday. Luckily we did, and we posted the fastest time of the finals! When I rodeo now I never look to see who’s winning or the time, just go do your best and hope that announcer says, “Here’s your new leader!”
How many CPRA rodeos did you enter this year and how did you make out at them?
Well I finally got persuaded by some friends that I needed to get my permit and went to a handful of spring rodeos and unfortunately hit barrels and was right there with the pack.
What is your cocktail of choice?
That’s a loaded question! Everyone knows I don’t have the same thing twice, but fireball, paralyzers (cherry whiskey, banana root beer), and twisted teas were my favorites this summer!
What are your rodeo plans for next year?
I’m not making any plans as of yet, I’m just going with the flow for now, I’m sure when spring comes I’ll hit a few pro rodeos. If I had a sponsor of course I’d go pro, but I have to work full time to keep alive!
Stacey & Kaye in Valleyview gettin low
Do you have any tattoos?
In fact I just got my first one this spring! It says “Live Love Ride” with a horseshoe and my dear moms birthday underneath (she passed away with a brain aneurysm in 2002). I love my life and live it to the fullest doing what I love;ride.
Who is your favorite person to follow via social media (celebrity or otherwise)
Brook Robertson comes first into mind, she has been a coach, mentor and best friend the past 4 years. I call her often even right after a win when I’m still on my horse heading back to the trailer. My phone doesn’t fall far from me!
Who is your favorite pair to watch in the sport of barrel racing right now?
Lisa Lockhart and Louie, definitely. Always so smooth and effortless.
What is your favorite memory from this summer on the trail?
I traveled all summer alone putting on a lot of miles. I do love to drive, so just being with everyone sitting around a fire or cabaret. I love meeting new people and socializing with everyone, I can go from a young crowd to old and still have fun. I’m known to have shrimp rings every weekend and enjoy feeding them to my friends while having a couple beverages here and there too.
Rodeo family is the best family you could have, I’m so great-full for all the friends I’ve gotten to know better and the new ones I’ve met over the years. My goal this year was to meet someone new every weekend whether it be a junior or a friend of a friend. People come into our lives for a reason because you just never know when you might need them or they need you. Like my Tattoo says, live, love, ride!
As of late in Social Media we have been witness to many bashing the way people train, or bashing those who are taking horses in for training amongst the usual he said, she said typical gossip and rants. Jessie Vandenbroek and Kirsten Gjerde are well spoken, and friends of mine, so I asked them to come up with something regarding this issue, as I wanted to have a guest writer on the blog! It’s also good timing as many are looking to send their young horses away but sometimes have a hard time deciding who to send their animal to, and can get misguided with all the things a person sees on social media.
When you read this piece I hope that you read this with an open mind, and can take away something positive from it, or maybe see something in a different light. If you care to bash this piece in any way, please stop following my blog and keep your negative comments to yourself. I have NO need for that sort of thing. I am currently on a kind word diet, and I am avoiding negative BS as if its Ebola.
Kirsten:
“This is a hard world to break into. Barrel racers are selfish, greedy, cutthroat and compassion-less. Wait, no, that’s Pirates. Pirates are selfish, greedy, cutthroat and compassion-less. So why do I feel like every time I log into Facebook lately I am being met with drama caused by mean scoundrels? What is going on in barrel racing? I can attribute this crack in the surface of criticism to a couple of things. First, there are some big rising stars coming out, and a lot of them are young. Second, the game is getting tougher, big money is still everywhere but with the sport beginning to boom, our American friends venturing up for a piece of the Maple pie and the mass introduction of the infamous 5D, there are more barrel racers chomping at the bit. And hey, we all have a bit of cabin fever right now, am I right?
Admit it, we are all sorry 😉
So let’s talk trainers. Jessie and I had a funny text conversation the other day when a woman was posting about inexperienced people providing training and instruction to the public. One thing I think everyone is beginning to learn about Canadian barrel racers is that we will bicker, can be competitive and gossip but when someone slips and tries to nail a friend on social media, Lord have mercy on their silly soul. So we were texting away because although we have both done well through all levels of barrel competition, it never seems like it’s quite good enough. If you start making some jackpot money, well you haven’t made amateur money, if you start making amateur money well you haven’t made a finals, if you make a finals well you haven’t won the saddle, if you win the saddle well you’re just an amateur barrel racer, try breaking in at the pros. If you start making some CPRA cheques well you haven’t made CFR, if you make CFR well that’s good but you’re nothing compared to those NFR girls. If you make the NFR well you haven’t won the world, and if you win the world, you haven’t done it twice. If you do it 11 times, if you ARE Charmayne James, well you haven’t done it lately, it’s a new game now. Whoa. I doubt there is one person who just read that little blurb and thought,”No she’s wrong, I respect all levels of trainers and riders.” We all have that one person who we eye roll about when someone says they are riding with them, me included. But why? What makes a good trainer?”
Jessie:
“When people ask me who they should ride with or get training from, I generally ask them who they want to ride like or whose horses they admire. If you are an aggressive rider and want to perfect how to ride aggressive, look at who has a similar style and is successful. Also, if you are striving to be a quiet rider and to have a horse that goes out there, does its job and it looks like the rider didn’t do a thing, look for someone who has had success with that style.”
Kirsten:
“My favorite thing to say to girls when they ask who they should be riding with is, ride with people who beat you. Simple as that. If they are beating you, they are doing something different and you can learn from that, and if you start beating them, well then go ride with the next girl who’s beating you. You might not like everyone’s style but you can always take something from it and make it work for you.”
Kirsten and Jazz being badasses
Experience
Kirsten:
“They have ridden for long periods of time on a solid program or under an already established person. If you compare mine and Jessie’s resumes they are pretty similar, but I will be the first to say that she is the one I call when I am having troubles with a horse. Riding with Dee Butterfield for 10 years and spending a winter with Sherry Cervi ain’t no minor thing. You learn shit.”
Jessie:
“Don’t discredit a trainer that comes from a different background or has rode in different disciplines. There is so much more to being a good barrel racer, than barrel racing. Try to spend as much time as possible learning from people who are well-rounded and who have spent time learning how to get a horse broke and supple. There are Canadian champions that have taken large parts of their barrel program from the English world and World Champions that started out with a lot of roping influence. I think that we can get experience from anywhere, and as long as it is applied correctly it will lead back to the most important thing. Good horsemanship.”
Dee Butterfield with Jessie and her great horse Mitobility winning the trailer at the Don Laing Trailer Series
Diversity
Kirsten:
“They have had multiple horses do well at multiple levels, they have a style but can get on just about anything and make it work for them. How cool is it when a young gun can post runs on dozens of different horses that she made or is running for clients and can be competitive on all of them? That’s sweet, and that’s a quality you want in a trainer. But At the same time, don’t discredit the girls who have had one hit wonders, because like I said you can literally learn something from everyone. I had a barrel racer a couple years ago say to me “You know, when Jazz started winning I thought, she just got lucky. Then Donk started winning and I thought she got lucky twice. But then you won on so-and-so’s horse and I finally had to say, no this girl can ride.” That’s a hard one to swallow because yeah, I did get my start on Jazz but even if I hadn’t had the luck of coming across more kick ass horses I still worked my hiney off to turn a dangerous, soured halter bred western pleasure horse into a rodeo star and to me that counts for something.”
Jessie:
“There are a lot of really talented trainers that do outstanding jobs in numerous fields, and some in more select ones. Always have an end goal in mind when picking your trainer- What would you like to accomplish when the training process is through? Someone who starts colts is vastly different from someone who is taking futurity colts. If you are sending your horse to get ready for futurities, most trainers will require 30-90 days and want the colt well before we are even getting close to futurity season. If you want to sell your barrel horse, choose someone who will jackpot, show it well and advertise it for you. If you are just getting training so that you can go and compete successfully on your own horse, then this is where you pick the trainer that you’d like to ride with.”
Jessie and Mito being badasses
They do well at whatever level of our sport they wish to compete in.
Kirsten:
“I have a friend that has amazing pro rodeo material horses, but she chooses to hit the big jackpots because of the laid back family and friend involved atmosphere and opportunity to run all of her horses no matter their level of training. Jackpots are fantastic because they work for her lifestyle. Maybe you want to amateur rodeo because it’s more practical for your budget to pay the smaller entry fees and a more solid chance at making a cheque because you don’t have to compete against Baby Flo. And that’s ok. You might be on a CFR quality horse but if it doesn’t make sense for you to break your bank account chasing Edmonton, then it just doesn’t make sense. It absolutely does not discredit a barrel racer’s talent or ability to teach in any way because they haven’t made CFR or they don’t pro rodeo. You can learn from everyone.”
Jessie:
“At any level of competition it is worthwhile to keep your eyes open for trainers who have nice horses, who are happy, and want to work. Watch them, watch their jockey. If someone is consistently bringing out nice horses, and they are consistent in their field then they are probably have some basis to teach from. Being talented with horses is not enough on its own. Managing time and resources is essential to being a good trainer. A good trainer should be someone that you know will spend the committed time training your horse, keep your horse in a safe environment, stick with your nutritional program and is accessible to you for updates about your horse. You can’t expect to come see your horse every day, but coming out to the place to watch it get worked once or twice a month should never be an issue.”
Kirsten and Jazz. I love this picture
Red Flags
Kirsten and Jess:
“Ok, since this article is positive and uplifting I don’t think red flags need to be ventured into too much. If you love your horse and you are compassionate you do not need a blog article to tell you to avoid a trainer when your gut instinct is screaming at you to run away. However Jessie and I agree on a couple of things, first pick up the traits of a trainer by watching them. I think the most important tell about someone is how do they react when everything goes wrong? You want to surround yourself with positive training and you want your horse to be ridden by a positive, patient rider. Watch how the trainer handles the nerves that come with the high intensity training we put into these powerful animals and listen to other people’s personal experiences to get an idea about the trainer’s reputation and integrity. And remember, just because one person did not like someone’s training methods, does not mean that they would not be a perfect fit for you and your horse. Take everyone’s opinion with a grain of salt, especially if it is on Facebook, and then ride with the person anyways even if it is just a 1 hour lesson because who knows, together you could make magic happen.”
Jessie:
“Kirsten and I do not have degrees, we cannot show you our masters in “Know-it-all-ness”. We are two girls that have dedicated their lives to their dream. The dream of running a ridiculously expensive horse, down a ridiculously long alley, after a ridiculously shiny buckle before we make a ridiculously long drive home. We have had setbacks and heartbreak; Mito tearing his suspensory was the biggest blow to my unwavering determination thus far. I had spent 8 months of rehab to be told that it didn’t work, we need to try again. It is almost impossible to keep your spirits up every day when you are putting all your effort and dreams into such fragile and breakable creatures. Then barrel racers, our support system, turn on each other, we post “rants” to get “things off our chest”, use other people’s failures, flaws, misguided opinions, misguided thoughts, or naivety to bolster our own self-esteem and serve them up as a mockery for the whole social media world to see. Our “inside” jokes aren’t so mysterious. This is the most discouraging part of all.”
Kirsten:
“We are our own worst critics. I hate watching myself ride in videos, it’s crazy but I do not like my own style, but at the end of the day it works, and the way I ride brings out the best in my horse. Sure I wish I looked like Sherry Cervi but that just isn’t practical. I am 5’2 and my legs would have stood a good chance for the casting of The Hobbit. Everyone has a different style, we don’t need to like it but we do need to respect it. Each barrel racer you meet is fighting a battle that you don’t know about, but we can all relate to the blood, sweat and tears it takes to win. You don’t know the sacrifices each girl had to make to get down the road, the hustle they put in all winter, the young children they are leaving at home as they chase their dream. Every successful barrel racer has worked her butt off to get where she is because you cannot put mediocre effort in and expect amazing results. You cannot buy your way into winning either; I think “Rodeo Girls” proved that with the fancy horses what’s-her-name was running during the season. This game is so mental and can change so quickly that if you’re at the top, there is a reason for it, you are meant to be there, you are a talented rider and a dedicated athlete.”
Jessie:
“Barrel racing is full of inspirational stories of amazing horses and wonderful, hardworking women. My first amateur rodeo check was made off of a lame, blown up barrel horse that my cousin saved from the meat truck. I bought him off her for next to nothing and with lots of love, a ton of time, and even more patience he came around to be my first really competitive amateur rodeo horse. Those are the horses that make all the hard work and sacrifice worth it.
The comradery that can happen when a group of barrel racers are happy for each other’s successes and can admire other people’s horses, talents and point of view, is an amazing thing. We are all different. There are no two paths that are the same. Every girl at the NFR got there a different way. I hope that soon we can all begin to celebrate that fact. It is liberating. I can’t be Kirsten, I can’t ride like Kirsten, but I can learn so much from Kirsten. I am going to do the best job of being Jessie that I can. I am going to fail, I am going to make mistakes, I am going to wish I could go back and do something over, and do it better. However, at the end of the day, I have to live with myself and my choices. I am accountable for the things I do and say, and I can choose to be better than I was yesterday. As they say; be the change you want to see in the world.”
Big thanks to Jessie and Kirsten for writing this! Ladies, take what you will from this article, but I hope it will be a positive! 🙂
Lipstick & Cowboy Boots is only half a year old now, and when I started out, I didn’t imagine interviewing the likes of Lisa Lockhart, Nancy Hunter, or Britany Diaz. I have been sitting and thinking a lot of what I want to write about this year for my blog, and my favourite part of this journey has been the interviews. I love hearing what the top girls are doing with their horses, how they handle the pressure etc. When I read their replies I can feel the passion and emotion behind their hard work. It gets me so fired up to write and share their journeys with you! So, I have a handful of interviews brewing, and if you have anyone specific you want me to try to get ahold of, shoot me an email and I will try my best!
I am beyond excited to start my 2015 Interviews with this girl. Sarah Rose McDonald is the 2014 WPRA Rookie of the Year. You may have seen Sarah and her mare Bling on Facebook recently, or maybe they’re familiar because they have been on the cover of Barrel Horse News FOUR times! Bling is a drool-worthy 2006 mare out of A Streak of Fling, and a Dash Ta Fame mare that Larry Ammons had purchased as a yearling at the Fulton Ranch Sale. Sarah’s Uncle, Steve McDonald had trained the pretty roan at 3, and by 4 Sarah was taking her through the pattern.. You could say the rest is history!
Last year Sarah decided to leave the Coastal Georgia College, where she was studying nursing, so she could hit the rodeo trail full-time. So far it has really paid off! In 2014 Sarah won the Wrangler Million Dollar Tour stop in Spanish Fork, Utah with a 16.77, second place was a 17.0! {I remember seeing a video of this run on Facebook last year, but to find it now of course is impossible. It was Uh-MAZING!!} She also got to travel to Las Vegas to accept WPRA Rookie of the Year awards. She had finished 2014 in 19th spot, just 4 away from making the NFR! So far this year Sarah is qualified for the RFDTV – The AMERICAN Semi-Finals, and has won the first round in Fort Worth with a 16.42. {Second round Feb 5th, they ran a 16.37!!!} Look out girls, there’s a new wolf in town! McDonald has picked up Oxy-Gen, Triple Crown, Iconoclast, Wilson Leather Co. Cinch & Cruel Girl for sponsors. Smart of them to get their brands on this duo cause they are HOT!!
Photo provided by Sarah Rose McDonald
Up to Date List of Accomplishments:
2014 WPRA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
CASPER, WYOMING FINALS CHAMPION
SPANISH FORK, UTAH CHAMPION AND SET NEW ARENA RECORD WITH A 16.77
PERRY, GEORGIA CHAMPION
FLETCHER, NORTH CAROLINA CHAMPION
DAVIE, FLORIDA CHAMPION
HILL CITY, KANSAS CHAMPION
SIDNEY, IOWA CHAMPION
BREMERTON, WASHINTON CHAMPION
OMAHA, NEBRASKA CHAMPION AND ADVANCED TO CHAMPIONSCHALLENGE
OMAHA, NEBRASKA CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE RESERVE CHAMPION
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA RESERVE CHAMPION
FRANKLIN, TENNESSEE RESERVE CHAMPION
OGDEN, UTAH RESERVE CHAMPION
PHILIPSBURG, KANSAS RESERVE CHAMPION
ABILENE, KANSAS RESERVE CHAMPION
COFFEYVILLE, KANSAS RESERVE CHAMPION
FREEDOM, OKLAHOMA RESERVE CHAMPION
ELLENSBURG, WASHINGTON FINALS RESERVE CHAMPION
PUYALLUP, WASHINGTON (JUSTIN BOOTS CHAMPIONSHIPS) RESERVE CHAMPION
ALL AMERICAN PRO RODEO SEMI FINALS CHAMPION
ALL AMERICAN PRO RODEO FINALS CHAMPION
WPRA SOUTH EASTERN RODEO CIRCUIT RESERVE CHAMPION
QUALIFIED TO COMPETE IN DODGE RAM NATIONAL CIRCUIT FINALS
FINISHED 19TH IN 2014 WPRA WORLD STANDINGS (ONLY 4 PLACES OUT OF MAKING NFR DURING ROOKIE YEAR)
FASTEST TIME OF THE 2014 TURKEY RUN IN FLORIDA
ANDALUSIA, ALABAMA FORTUNE 5 1D AVERAGE CHAMPION
OCALA, FLORIDA FORTUNE 5 1D AVERAGE CHAMPION
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA FORTUNE 5 1D AVERAGE CHAMPIOM
2014 DIXIE NATIONALS CHAMPION
2014 FLORIDA STATE NBHA CHAMPION
2013 FLORIDA STATE NBHA CHAMPION
2013 GEORGIA SPORTS ARENA CHAMPION
2013 PRESIDENTS CUP CHAMPION
2013 JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA SHAMROCK SHOWDOWN CHAMPION (WON ALL 3 GO ROUNDS AND AVERAGE)
2012 DIXIE NATIONALS CHAMPION (WON ALL 3 GO ROUNDS AND AVERAGE)
2012 TURKEY RUN CHAMPION
2011 TRIPLE CROWN 1D CHAMPION
2011 ALL AMERICAN YOUTH 1D CHAMPION
2010 DIXIE NATIONALS 1D CHAMPION
2010 PRESIDENTS CUP 1D CHAMPION
2005 DIXIE NATIONAL 1D CHAMPION
2005 NBHA OPEN WORLD 1D CHAMPION
3 TIME NBHA TEEN WORLD RESERVE CHAMPION
4 TIMES ON THE COVER OF BARREL HORSE NEWS
2 TIMES DIVISIONAL RIDER AND HORSE OF THE YEAR (FAME FLING N BLING)
FAME FLING N BLING WON BARREL RACINGS REPORT HORSE OF THE YEAR AS A 5 YEAR OLD
I am sure you have made quite a few memorable runs, but what has been your favourite run thus far in your career?
When I won the NBHA world in 2005 on my gelding GC Highly Motivated. I was 13 and he was 9. He made me the rider that I am and that was a huge accomplishment for my career in barrel racing. He is now 19 and my niece Anna rides him now.My favourite run from this season is Spanish Fork Utah where Bling and I set the arena record with a 16.77. Second place was a 17.0 so that was awesome! {Note- Spanish Fork is a full set/standard pattern}
How is the 2015 season going so far?
It is going great! I just won the first go of the Fort Worth Stock show and I am entered in San Angelo, Jackson, San Antonio, the American semi finals, and Houston.
Photos provided by Sarah Rose McDonald
I love hearing what goals people have set for themselves. What goals do you have set for 2015?
I want to be as consistent as possible and try to place every run that I make. I will only be running the big rodeos on Bling because I don’t want to run her too much.
Tell us how it felt to receive the buckle for WPRA Rookie of the Year at the 2014 NFR?
It was awesome being able to go to Vegas. That was the first time I have ever been on a plane and my family came with me so we had a lot of fun! They also gave me an awesome saddle, saddle rack, and a lot of other awards.
Being at the level you’re at, how do you keep focused and have a sharp mental game?
I spend a lot of time with my horses and I enjoy taking care of them. Bling is the reason I’m here so I try to pamper her and make her as comfortable as possible. To be rodeoing full-time and being able to be with my horses and running at all these arenas is a blessing so I try to soak in every moment. Bling and I have a close bond so that helps as far as right before we run. I try to do the same routine before every run. Right before I run we say our prayers and go for it!
Photo provided by Sarah Rose McDonald
What sort of things do you do to keep your horses sharp?
I try to keep a balance between exercising them, letting them be turned out to play and roll, and letting them rest. Sometimes I like to sprint Bling and let her open up. Other times I like to long trot or just get on her and walk her around. I will walk around the barrels once or twice and that’s all of the barrels she sees except when we run. I like to give them off after a long drive and also the day before I run. I want them to be rested and feel fresh. They know their job.
Girls are always wanting to keep up with new and improved supplements. What supplements and feed do you have your horses on, specifically Bling?
Triple Crown horse feed, Oxygen Immune, and a fat supplement. I always keep hay and alfalfa in front of her.
Tell us about Fame Fling N Bling! I LOVE this horse!!!
She is very very smart. She knows her job. I’ve learned a lot about her on the road. She’s my partner and my best friend. She let’s me know when she doesn’t like something she will snort and I better fix it soon. Lol She is very confident. She walks so gracefully and when I turn her out she shakes her neck back and forth. That means she feels really good! She is very fast and turns really tight so you know every time I leave that alley way I need to push her the whole way and keep the forward momentum in the turns. She has a unique style but it is so fun! Shes an athlete. She runs with all heart and gets low in the turns.
Photo provided by Sarah Rose McDonald
What are your must-haves in the trailer; for your horses and for yourself?
Thankfully my friend Erika Norris hauls with me and her truck and trailer is awesome. I’m blessed to have her helping me! I always keep shavings in the trailer and clean it every time we get the horses off. Also I like to keep alfalfa and hay for the horses in their hay bags. I always wrap their legs with back on track wraps and I like to pack their feet the day before a run with magic cushion and poultice her legs. I like to keep waters and cokes in the fridge. We usually eat on the road. One thing I love about our trailer is the horses have big stalls and the bed is so comfortable!
Since the blog is called Lipstick and Cowboy Boots, if you wear lipstick ever, what is your fave brand, and what are your fave pair of boots!?
I don’t wear lipstick but I do wear EOS ChapStick. I currently have a pair of Cinch boots and I love them! I go through so many boots in a year!
Check out Sarah and Bling on Facebook and follow their 2015 season! {if you click her name where it’s highlighted in the beginning of this interview, it will take you right to her Facebook page 🙂 }
Huge Thank-You to Sarah for taking the time to do this interview. I wish her and Bling all the best! 🙂
Lipstick & Cowboy Boots 