Q: You’re leading the WCJR 19-&-Under barrels with 20,755.5 points while also leading the breakaway and poles and sitting top 5 in two other events. What has this year been like balancing all of that?
A: Well, I can’t say there is a lot of down time, but I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve gotten pretty used to getting all my horses rode and making sure everything is tuned in before I head to the next rodeo.
Q: In your mind, are you a barrel racer too, or do you still think of yourself more as a breakaway roper?
A: In my mind I’ll always be a breakaway roper who runs barrels, but I’ve been blessed enough to have success at both. There are days where I would much rather be backing in the box, but other days running barrels is a spot where I wouldn’t complain to be in.
Q: Tell me about your barrel horse, Arnie.
A: My barrel horse, MP Secret To Money, who I call Arnie, is a pretty chill dude and is up for about anything. He’s 12 this year, and I’ve had him for three years now.
Q: What is Arnie’s style like?
A: My biggest struggle in the barrels is keeping him freed up across the pen. Arnie is a very, very, very push-style horse and requires me to be in attendance for most of the run. But I honestly prefer them that way, so I won’t complain about his style.
Q: What does conditioning him look like through a busy rodeo schedule?
A: When it comes to conditioning him, I try to stay consistent with what I do. Riding him at least three to four times per week for at least 30 minutes. There are some weeks, depending on when we’re up, that we just go for a nice long walk down the gravel roads just to keep his mind at ease. I try not to overcomplicate it for both of us and just form to how he is feeling.
Q: Who has helped you improve in the barrels?
A: I would say a couple different people have helped me to really improve in the barrel pen, one being Becca Fellman, who took Arnie for a summer and helped me find some things that I was missing. And Robin Tierney, who actually helped me find him originally, but also rode with me and helped me get a better understanding of him.
Q: What has the mental side of barrel racing been like for you?
A: My mental game when running barrels is what I would call a little weird, mostly because I don’t get nervous when running barrels. It has never been an event where I overthink it. I just go make my run and hope I do my job as good as I can.
Q: You do so many events. Talk me through your horse lineup right now.
A: Arnie is my barrel horse. Woodrow, my breakaway horse, is 17, and I got him from Paul and Robin Tierney about four years ago. He’s a big reason for the successes I’ve had roping calves. I’ve recently had to make a head horse change due to my main guy, Flynn, getting hurt, so Phoebe, who is 7 and I just bought a couple weeks ago, will be my go-to in Guthrie. My pole bending horse is Coon, who is 13, and I’ve had her since my seventh-grade year. Elsa, who is 14 and was home-raised by my dad’s stud horse, is my main heel horse and gives me the same shot every time. Lastly, Ice is my goat tying horse, which is also a sudden change because of Flynn getting hurt a few weeks ago.
Q: What is your goal going into the WCJR in the barrels?
A: My goal is to go in and make clean, solid runs, which hopefully will let me advance on and get me to the final round.
Q: You’re coming into the WCJR leading the barrels. What would you tell someone who is struggling to get something going?
A: Don’t give up when it gets hard. It took me a year and a half to have success in the barrel pen. There were multiple times that it crossed my mind how much easier it would be to just give up on the idea of running barrels. Man, am I grateful that I didn’t, because now we are sitting first coming into the WCJR and are headed to two other sets of nationals.
19-&-Under Barrel Racing Standings
as of June 22, 2026
15-&-Under Barrel Racing Standings
as of June 22, 2026
19-&-Under Pole Bending Standings
as of June 22, 2026
15-&-Under Pole Bending Standings
as of June 22, 2026
