Unlike a lot of barrel racers, I remember my first barrel race...because it wasn't that long ago! Oh, I rode horses a little bit...you know, the neighbors horses when I was growing up. And, like a lot of other kids, we had a Shetland Pony for a couple of years. He was okay, but he refused to get out of a walk when I was on him.
Then finally when I was 29 years young, I got the opportunity to learn how to ride and I went to my first playday and first open 4D barrel race - all in 2003.
Wow! What an amazing year 2003 was for me. Not only had a dream come true, but a whole new dream was created. You see, I thought I would be happy once I just did it - barrel racing. But, it got worse and worse...now I am totally hooked. I went from just wanting the be a barrel racer, to wanting to barrel race all the time! I love it!
I have been fortunate enough to have the perfect horse for me to learn on. Gunsmoke is Harry Fulton's team roping horse. Gunsmoke has been wonderful at helping me learn how to run barrels. We even had some success in our first year. We placed in three barrel races and won two halters along the way. 2004 proved to be a fabulous year as Gunsmoke and I, won the 5D and a Gist buckle (my first) at the Saginaw arena on January 3rd.
Gunsmoke has taught me so much and I owe so much to him for getting me started. Gunsmoke has been turned out in the pasture to enjoy life and my young horse Go Jo and I have teamed up for the future.
It's 2007 now and Go Jo and I are working out the kinks and starting to make some progress. Gunsmoke is loving life in the pasture and we ride him some - he's now 23.
Unlike a lot of barrel racers, I remember my first barrel race...because it wasn't that long ago! Oh, I rode horses a little bit...you know, the neighbors horses when I was growing up. And, like a lot of other kids, we had a Shetland Pony for a couple of years. He was okay, but he refused to get out of a walk when I was on him. 
