2011 Warm Up with the Top 15 NFR Barrel Racers

One of the best strategies for success in any area is to find a mentor, someone you admire who has accomplished what you want to accomplish, and study their habits.  Learn in detail what it takes to reach their level and do the same. 

We recently caught up with the top 15 2011 NFR Qualifiers.  Each were asked a series of questions, and in return we received a special insiders peek into the world of barrel racing’s highest achievers.  The similarities were surprising, obviously more than just entertaining trivia, their answers provide a great learning opportunity for those with NFR dreams. 

As you enjoy coverage of the NFR brought to you by BarrelRacingTips.com take time to reflect on the words of professional rodeo’s leading ladies, let their answers really sink in, and then ask yourself…

• What are you doing that is similar? 
• What are you doing that is different? 

To become a champion, it’s important to first understand the habits of champions and develop them yourself.  Common threads noted in the interviews include making horse health priority, a willingness to make numerous sacrifices, intense dedication and the presence of strong support team.  Unlike the case of the chicken and the egg, an NFR qualification only comes next in line to those that develop the habits of champions FIRST.

What can you do differently to take your barrel racing to the next level? 

 “The results you achieve will be in direct proportion to the effort you apply.”  – Denis Waitley

Stay tuned for more from the top 15 barrel racers as action heats up at the 2011 National Finals Rodeo!  

Brittany Pozzi

1. Having just celebrated Thanksgiving, tell us what are you most grateful for that has helped make your barrel racing career possible?  My parents have always been super supportive and taught me to work hard to achieve my goals. 

2. Tell us about the horse(s) you’ll be riding at the National Finals Rodeo? I am taking Yeah Hes Firen, aka Duke, an 8 yr old gelding by Alive N Firen and out of Splendid Discovery and French Covergirl, aka Cosmo, a 7 yr old mare by Saintly Fellow and out of American Proof.  They have two totally different personalities. Duke is very sweet and high strung and Cosmo is a typical mare with an “I wish you would just leave me alone attitude.” 

3. What steps are you taking to prepare?  I have just made sure my horses were in good shape and sound.

4. What are you most looking forward to when you get to Las Vegas?  I am looking forward to going out there having a good time, winning lots of money and hopefully bringing home a third world title.

Lindsay Sears

1. Having just celebrated Thanksgiving, tell us what are you most grateful for that has helped make your barrel racing career possible? Martha first but I’ve also been very blessed to have many great horses.

2.  Tell us about the horse(s) you’ll be riding at the National Finals Rodeo? Sugar Moon Express, “Martha” who is an 11-year-old sorrel mare Dr Nick Bar X Babys Blue Jeans and Ima Guy of Honor, “Moe” an 8-year-old bay gelding Frenchmans Guy X Dontunderestimateher.

3.  What steps are you taking to prepare for the NFR?  Make sure the horses are sound and in shape, good physical condition.  Nothing really changes from year to year.

4. What are you most looking forward to when you get to Las Vegas?  Just basically competing.  The actual competition.  It’s what I work for the whole year.  So just getting to barrel race.

Sherry Cervi

1. Having just celebrated Thanksgiving, tell us what are you most grateful for that has helped make your barrel racing career possible? All the great horses that I’ve been able to ride.

2.  Tell us about the horse(s) you’ll be riding at the National Finals Rodeo? MP Meter My Hay, “Stingray” who is a 9-year-old mare by PC Frenchmans Hayday out of Miss Meter Jet and MP A Man With Roses, “George” an 8-year-old palomino gelding by PC Frenchmans Hayday out of Rose Patch.

3.  What steps are you taking to prepare for the NFR?  Just making sure my horses are in really good shape and are really sharp.  I’ll go to a couple of jackpots before hand and then I just make sure I’m ready.

4. What are you most looking forward to when you get to Las Vegas?  The competition.

Brenda Mays

1. Having just celebrated Thanksgiving, tell us what are you most grateful for that has helped make your barrel racing career possible? God has blessed me with great horses.

2.  Tell us about the horse(s) you’ll be riding at the National Finals Rodeo? Judge Buy Cash, “Jethro” who is a 12-year-old black gelding by Judge Cash out of Flashs Polly Vandy and Judge My Fame, “Dora” an 8-year-old mare by Dash Ta Fame out of Flashy Cashy Cat.

3.  What steps are you taking to prepare for the NFR?  Just keep my horses safe and in shape. 

4. What are you most looking forward to when you get to Las Vegas?  I just look forward to the whole experience.  It will be great to run again after being off for a few weeks.  I’m ready to get back in the groove and make several runs

Lisa Lockhart

1. Having just celebrated Thanksgiving, tell us what are you most grateful for that has helped make your barrel racing career possible? My husband, Grady and the whole team that pushes us.  We get all the glory but it’s the people and horses that are behind you that deserve it.

2.  Tell us about the horse(s) you’ll be riding at the National Finals Rodeo? An Oakie with Cash, “Louie” an 8-year-old Buckskin gelding by Biebers Oakie out of Lady Kaweah Cash and IP Peppys Breeze, “Sterling” a 20-year-old gelding by Colonel San Peppy out of Budhas Miss Breeze.

3.  What steps are you taking to prepare for the NFR?  In all reality, I don’t treat it any differently than I do the whole season.  I continue my same program and make sure everyone is healthy and ready to go.

4. What are you most looking forward to when you get to Las Vegas?  To finally get there and get the first run under our belt.  It’s nice to get doing what we are really there to do.  I also have a favorite Mexican restaurant that I look forward to eating at.

Sue Smith

1. Having just celebrated Thanksgiving, tell us what are you most grateful for that has helped make your barrel racing career possible?  Just better horses and all the support Kyle (my fiancé) gives me.

2.  Tell us about the horse(s) you’ll be riding at the National Finals Rodeo?  Real Claim Ta Fame, “Claimer” is an 8-year-old gelding by Dash ta Fame out of Alicia Rene, and then if I need one, Linda Vick offered to let me use her horse.

3.  What steps are you taking to prepare?  Basically, I make sure he’s sound and shod.  I did some drills on him to keep him soft and supple.  I have been working to just keeping my horse really low key.  I had my horse shoer make him some shoes by hand.  I made sure he is in really good shape and feeling really good because I think it’s pretty hard to make 10 runs on them.  I want him to be really healthy and happy while he is in Las Vegas.

4.  What are you most looking forward to when you get to Las Vegas?  It is really nice going to the back number party and seeing everyone.  The excitement of being here is really fun.

Jody Sheffield

1. Having just celebrated Thanksgiving, tell us what are you most grateful for that has helped make your barrel racing career possible?  Everything I have learned.  It takes both good and bad to make it.

2.  Tell us about the horse(s) you’ll be riding at the National Finals Rodeo? Skip the Finances, “Zoey” a 7-year old bay mare by Financially out of  Skip Chris Coy and Katmando, “Kat” a 20-year-old mare by Minx and Done to Badger.

3.  What steps are you taking to prepare?  I just tried to keep my horse and myself both mentally and physically in as good as shape as possible. 

4. What are you most looking forward to when you get to Las Vegas?  The whole experience.  The first run up the alley is going to be pretty amazing.

Angie Meadors

1. Having just celebrated Thanksgiving, tell us what are you most grateful for that has helped make your barrel racing career possible?  My family and my friends for sure.  The support that I have is amazing and they make this all possible.  I’m really thankful for Trip and Callie Duperier for allowing me to ride Bugs and I’m so thankful to have Mulberry back and healthy.  The horse owners have all been great to me.

2.  Tell us about the horse(s) you’ll be riding at the National Finals Rodeo? Mulberry Canyon Moon, “Mulberry” an 8-year old grey mare by Marthas Six Moons out of De Streaker and Heza Bug Leo, “Bugs” a 6-year old sorrel gelding by Shawne Bug Leo out of County Line Liz.

3.  What steps are you taking to prepare?  Really I just got Mulberry back the first of November so I took her to the Texas Stampede to make a few runs on her there.  Bugs just got exercised.  I just wanted to make sure that they were both in really good shape.

4. What are you most looking forward to when you get to Las Vegas?  I’m really excited to run this year.  I feel like I’m ready and that my horses are ready.  I feel lucky to be here.

Jeanne Anderson

1. Having just celebrated Thanksgiving, tell us what are you most grateful for that has helped make your barrel racing career possible? My husband and Tana pushing me to go.  I’m a home body so if someone didn’t push me, I probably wouldn’t go.

2.  Tell us about the horse(s) you’ll be riding at the National Finals Rodeo? I’ll be riding Flaming Fire Bug, “Firebug” is a 12-year old gelding by Tigeraflame out of Copper Buglet.  My back up horse will be a horse I call “Jo Jo.”

3.  What steps are you taking to prepare?  I use Turbulator ice boots and made sure he got Legend shots.   My aunt is coming to massage Firebug while we are here.

4. What are you most looking forward to when you get to Las Vegas?  I just think this year is just going to be so much better.  The competition is great and I hope to win some money.  I think I am more relaxed this year.

Jane Melby

1. Having just celebrated Thanksgiving, tell us what are you most grateful for that has helped make your barrel racing career possible? My family being supportive of what I am doing.  I couldn’t have done this without them.

2.  Tell us about the horse(s) you’ll be riding at the National Finals Rodeo? RC Back in Black “Beauty” a 7-year old black mare by Ninety Nine Goldmine out of Rabbit Redux; RC Brooks A Streakin “Brooks” a 5-year-old gelding.

3.  What steps are you taking to prepare?  Beauty has been on the mend so I guess I tried really hard to mentally prepare.  I ran Brooks three out of the six runs at the Canadian finals to get him ready.

4. What are you most looking forward to when you get to Las Vegas?  I think just feeling that first run is going to be wonderful.  I can’t wait for the first round to start.

Britany Fleck

1. Having just celebrated Thanksgiving, tell us what are you most grateful for that has helped make your barrel racing career possible? I am very grateful to have bought a horse that is this talented.  We bought her as a baby and I’ve done everything on my own with her.  She is amazing and I feel like we really are a team.

2.  Tell us about the horse(s) you’ll be riding at the National Finals Rodeo? Dasher Dude, “Rootie” an 11-year old mare by Texas High Dasher out of April Dell Dude. 

3.  What steps are you taking to prepare?  I brought lots of extra vet stuff to make sure I’m prepared on that end.  I also brought two bits with me that are exactly the same.  I made sure that I have extra of everything.  Everything else, I just kept the same as normal.

4. What are you most looking forward to when you get to Las Vegas?  Getting to make the first run in the Thomas and Mack Center.

Christina Richman

1. Having just celebrated Thanksgiving, tell us what are you most grateful for that has helped make your barrel racing career possible? My horse!  I think we got lucky getting her and she is such a blessing.  She has surpassed all of my expectations.

2.  Tell us about the horse(s) you’ll be riding at the National Finals Rodeo? Xtrared, “Stitch” a 9-year old sorrel mare by Red out of  Attract and Jackfork Billie, a 17-year-old mare.

3.  What steps are you taking to prepare?  Nothing really any different than I do for any other rodeo.  I gave my horse about a month off and then I really tried to make sure she is in shape.

4. What are you most looking forward to when you get to Las Vegas?  To just run barrels in that arena and do a little better this year.  I’m looking forward to knowing more than I did last year about being here.

Jill Moody

1. Having just celebrated Thanksgiving, tell us what are you most grateful for that has helped make your barrel racing career possible? The thing I am the most grateful for is my family.  They always support my decisions and not second guessed me.  Then I would have to thank the Thomas Ranch, the owners of Dolly, I know I wouldn’t be where I am today.

2.  Tell us about the horse(s) you’ll be riding at the National Finals Rodeo? Chasin Firewater, a 10-year-old stud by Fire Water Flit out of Has the Touch; Moss Me Moe, a 9 year old gelding by Driftin Gin out of Viva Chargette; DS Doco Daisy, an 8-year-old mare; Shes Gonna Be Good, an 8-year-old mare by Good Timin Hank out of Miss Bird Jet.

3.  What steps are you taking to prepare?  I knew Dolly wasn’t coming to the National Finals Rodeo in September and then my Firewater Flit mare bowed a tendon about 3 weeks ago.  For the last few weeks, I’ve been scrapping to find a horse to ride. 

4. What are you most looking forward to when you get to Las Vegas?  The bright lights and the big city.  This is the National Finals Rodeo and it’s exciting to be here.

Tammy Fischer

1. Having just celebrated Thanksgiving, tell us what are you most grateful for that has helped make your barrel racing career possible?  Roundpen.  A great horse teach you things that a medium horse can’t.  I’ve been blessed to get to ride a GREAT horse.

2.  Tell us about the horse(s) you’ll be riding at the National Finals Rodeo? MP Quick Money, “Money” an 8-year old grey gelding by PC Frenchmans Hayday out of Quickern A Wink; Easy Dash Oak, “Roundpen” a 16-year-old bay gelding by Victory Dash out of Easy

3.  What steps are you taking to prepare?  I try to find some buildings that are small and that the horses have to run up against the walls.

4. What are you most looking forward to when you get to Las Vegas?  The competition and the chance to run at $17,000 every night.