Nov. 30, 2011 -



Well, Jeanne and the other top 15 are in Las Vegas getting ready to compete for you the fans. Until you have been there, you cannot imagine how much work the next two weeks is for them. I wish them all good luck, and I know it will be good watching. Saturday I had the priviledge of working with the Ottawa County Horse Club in Miami, OK.The kids gave me a work out. It was raining and cold outside but we were dry and warm inside the NEO College Arena. We worked hard on fundamentals and worked on the barrel pattern. It is always fun for me to give back to the sport I love and the youngsters ignite a spark in me. I realize that I really do LOVE horses and running barrels. God has truly blessed me to allow me to do this full-time.

Here are the Top 12 WPRA Barrel Racers from the Prairie Circuit.

Thanks to the SWOSU Rodeo Team for hosting the Circuit Finals this year, and to the team for getting the ground ready for us before and during the barrel race.

November 21st, 2011 I was proud of Amigo at Dallas. We had to run twice each night, and he gave me his all each time. We ended our season on a high note, winning the final round and third in average. A slight mistake on my part cost us a lot more, tipping a barrel in round 2.  Amigo is getting some well-deserved time off. Meanwhile, Goose and I have started over. We are coming to a better understanding of each other and what is actually happening during our runs. It's going to take several more intense sessions and much repitition, but we will have our championship form back soon. Not making the NFR this year has been a good thing. It has forced me to stop and re-evaluate many things, and given me time to work on them. Thanksgiving is coming soon, and I am most thankful to Jesus for loving me enough to die so that I could have a relationship with him.I am also very thankful for my husband and son who love me and support me, as well as the rest of my family. My prayers go out to all the families who have loved ones that have gone on to Heaven. I am grateful for every day I have with those I love. Special thanks to Jan Vreys for the photo.

July 21, 2011 – Rodeo people are the greatest in the world. The rodeo committee at Pretty Prairie, Ks, tops my list right now! We limped into PP at 45 mph (which is really tough on me) at 3:30 am for slack Wednesday morning. After slack, several of the rodeo committee men helped me figure out what was wrong with the truck, tried to find parts and a place to fix it, etc. One of the air hoses blew a hole, and we had to order a new hose from Chicago which were shipped to Pratt, Ks (another friend/roper picked them up Thursday on his way to Cheyenne). The guys at PP, with a little cowboy ingenuity, spliced the hose, so we could drive the truck and make it on to Woodward. Thanks so much! God sends us angels everyday dressed in Wranglers, so don’t forget to thank Him and pray blessings on those who go out of their way to help others! Marty came to Pretty Prairie, and Jeanne went onto Manhattan and Hardtner with her husband, Rick. Marty and I are headed back to Cheyenne so he can rope in the morning. I am making the short round at Nampa, ID, so I will head west Friday to run there Saturday. Marty ropes at Deadwood on Tuesday, so I’ll go up there to watch him. We don’t run there till Thursday morning, then it’s a fast drive to Burwell, Ne for the perf that night. Amigo did so good our first run at Cheyenne! We split 4/5 with a 17.66, a 17.50 won the round. That puts us in the Saturday perf on 7/30. We are running well, our timing is back and finally feel like we are where we should be! Rodeo – it’s a marathon.
Some times you just have to ride through the bad times, have faith in God and what He is doing and keep on going.

July 8, 2011 - Well, the 4th run is over. Jeanne and I didn't go to four rodeos and had to turn out of two others.
Jeanne won Belle Fourche handily, and I got a check. Greeley was good to me again. Amigo placed in first round, third in second go and fourth in average.
We lost a dear friend, Randy Lindsey, on Saturday, 7/2. God used Randy to heal people and horses for many years. He used his God-given abilities to their fullest, and he leaves a big hole in many people?s hearts. I was very blessed to have known him, and I will strive to live my life more like he did, in the service of others. A memorial scholarship fund has been set up through the International Association of Equine Osteopaths. www.theiaeo.org.
Amigo collicked at 9 Tuesday night and we spent all night and the next day at the vet in Greeley. At 5:30 am, they thought we were going to have to operate, but GOD. By 6:30, he seemed to finally be getting better. Big thanks go to all the people at Countryside Vet for their care and concern. Also, I can't say enough about good friends who stand beside you. Jeanne and Brandie and Shawn Halls; you are the best. Now Jeanne and I are headed to Vernal, Ut for slack after tonight. We run at Laramie tomorrow night after in slack also. Then back to Brandie?s to rest for a couple of days before the real July marathon.

June 5th, 2011 - Rodeo season has hit, although I have been rodeoing from home, we competed 5 days in 4 states this week. Ground conditions were so different each night. Ft. Smith, AR, has sandy ground, but it is hard just a few inches down. Hugo, OK, also has sand, but it digs out and gets deep. Bennington, KS, which got 3.5 inches of rain Wednesday, is also sand which is great for absorbing the water. Not many other pens would have been is as good of shape with that much water. Unfortunately, the left barrel had a hardpan and was very slick. Strong City was hard under several inches of dry, loose dirt. Licking, MO, which usually is muddy, was hard this year with no rain.It takes a special horse to be able to figure out how to protect themselves and still run competitively on all different kinds of ground. One missed step can end a career, or at least cost thousands of dollars in vet bills and missed competitive opportunities. This is what sets rodeo horses apart from the divisional barrel horses. We barrel racers often say "if they'd have done this or that to the ground, it would be better." Hindsight is often 20/20. Many committees ask us, how was the ground? Which is great. Then, just as often, I've heard them say, we'll have it good by Saturday night. We appreciate your efforts to make it better, and that's good for the 10 girls up Saturday night, but what about the other 50 or 100 that entered? Use that hindsight next year, and start working on the ground a week or so out, so that it is safe and consistant for everyone. We know it is hard work and we applaud your efforts. We are partners: Rodeo committees and contestants. We. barrel racers provide the highly skilled athletes, and you, rodeo committees, provide the safe, consistant ground conditions and together, we'll provide a fast-paced horse race that excites the fans!!

April 15, 2011
April 15, 2011 - It rained last night, and then turned cold. At least it feels cold considering it has been high 70s and 80s the last few days. I put the sheets back on the horses, and will need the heavy blankets tonight. I have been wanting to put those up, but we haven't been to Guymon yet! If you haven't given your West Niles booster shots, now is the time.

On my tour of the Boys Ranch, Carla took me upstairs in the Chapel to show me a "special" classroom. It was cool. Needless to say, we had fun! Thanks again to MAXX Sunglasses for introducing me to the Boys Ranch. Check out www.calfarley.org.

March 1, 2011
The last ten days at home have been wonderfully refreshing for me. I've been able to decompress and spend quality time with my Lord, Jesus. I get caught up in competing and the business of the WPRA and just being on the road, and I forget to get off to myself where I can really pray and hear from God. I have adjusted my attitude back to where it should be.
  
 My horses are doing well. They both physically look better than they have in a long time. I am backing off of Goose, and just going to ride him and get him physically fit for the next month and have faith in God that He will heal whatever needs healing. When I ride Amigo, he feels lots freer and more fluid moving than he has since last spring. I plan on going to a jackpot tomorrow to tune up before Houston. We run there next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Then on to Marshall.