Canadian bred, home raised for the win

Welcome to the 13th edition of The Arena Feed!

It was another exciting weekend in Canadian barrel racer land with may jackpots, a futurity/derby and rodeos on the go. It makes it hard to pick when I’m “drawing straws” to see who to reach out to. This week we are hearing from two riders who have bred and raised their own winning mounts, both by Canadian stallions.

Traci MacDonald won the Lea Park Pro Rodeo taking home $5339.39 for the win on Foxys Mine a Ninety Nine Goldmine gelding out of her 2008 NFR qualifying mare Foxy Crime. Other CPRA barrel racing results can be found HERE

Over in Saskatoon, the Grace and Grit Futurity and Derby saw many great runs. Winning the derby and open two run average was Jane Corey on her Wagons West gelding Tipsy Wagon. We hear from her below.
Winning the derby short go was Casey Ann Nedeljack and Fancy Rum Shots.

In the Futurity, the average on two winner was Kirsty White on R Ace Of Spades. They also won the short go. We interviewed Kirsty in a previous newsletter and learned a lot about this stud and all that he’s overcome. You can listen to that interview HERE. 

Thanks you for reading and sharing to help celebrate these riders and spread the word about the newsletter. You’re appreciated.

In this issue:
➡From The Arena Floor: Interviews with Traci MacDonald and Jane Corey
➡Upcoming Events & Deadlines
➡Road Recipe of the Week
➡Featured ad
➡Road Apples - tidbits from around the web
➡Featured Ranch
➡Mindset Minute with Michelle
➡Meme of the week

From The Arena Floor with Traci MacDonald

It was a busy weekend on the pro rodeo trail with 4 rodeos running within a 4 day span. Winning the highest paying rodeo of the weekend (Lea Park Rodeo North of Marwayne, AB) for was Traci MacDonald riding her homegrown gelding Foxys Mine.

Tell us about Foxys Mine, the horse you ran and won on at the Lea Park rodeo.  Who bred him, who owns him, who has done the training etc.  Tell us about their personality and what they're like to run. 

Foxys Mine. He is a 10 year old gelding that I raised and trained. He’s pretty easy going and laid back on the ground, as soon as you get on his back he’s all go. He is not the easiest horse to run I really have to make sure to do my part. I do love that he’s so fast

Tell us about yourself.   Where you're from, how long you've been barrel racing and what do you like to do when you're not barrel racing.

I’m originally from Cardston Alberta. I’ve been barrel racing competitively since I was 5. So a really long time ago lol. In the winter I enjoy watching my kids at their sports.

Have you had to overcome any challenges with horse to make it to this level of success?

No not really. He kinda started having success from the start.

Tell us about your gear setup for this horse   What are you riding in for a saddle, pad, bit etc?  Shoes or no shoes?

I ride him in a Flaharty Duke bit. My saddle is an old Pozzi I won. The saddle pad is a weaver. Rim shoes

And how about the feeding and maintenance plan? What fuels this speedy horse?

Alfalfa hay. Purina grain.

What are your competition plans for yourself and this mare for the rest of the season?

Not much of a plan. If the horses are working good I’ll keep entering.

You've been riding many of Foxy Crime's offspring over the years.  What has it been like getting to ride such a great mare's foals?  Is there one that stands out as a favorite so far?

It has been fun riding her foals. Foxys Mine has always been a favourite. Foxy Fiona probably reminded me the most of Foxy Crime, unfortunately she got an injury her 5 year old year.

Do you have anyone you'd like to thank or sponsors we can promote for you?  

I don’t have any sponsors. I would not be able to rodeo if it wasn’t for the help from my family running things at home.

From The Arena Floor with Jane Corey

It was Jane Corey and Tipsy Wagon that came out firing the first round of the derby and the Grit and Grace Futurity and Derby in Saskatoon to be one of two times under the 14 second mark. The duo also won second in the second round securing the average on two in both the derby and the open. Jane also cashed in on some Select earnings as well.

Tell us about Tipsy Wagon AKA City. Who bred him, who owns him, who has done the training etc.  Tell us about their personality and what he's like to run. 

I bred City he is out of Tippy Too Badger and by Wagons West. This was her first colt after I purchased her. I own him and was able to watch him be born. He was started by my great colt starter Mitch Zeller as a 2 year old he got 15 rides then went back as a 3 year old for another 15 rides. I rode him a bit then he spent a month with Lucas Bertram the late summer of his 3 year old year. Then I took over. He’s a colt that has been ALL THERE so was really taking my time with him I did decide he needed a lot more steady riding so I sent him to Dwight Dokken in the winter of his 4 year old year for a few months and he did some great horsemanship training with him that helped me to get him started on the barrels. I only started jackpotting City in November of this past year. He ran in the 3D at the first few and then went straight to the 1D and and then even winning a few of them. I think it was a wise decision to miss his futurity year and let him get rolling as a derby horse instead. He’s pretty easy to run just get him to his points and let him work. He’s very smooth and fast he’s powerful but a smooth power.

Tell us about yourself.   Where you're from, how long you've been barrel racing and what do you like to do when you're not barrel racing.

I’m from Swift Current, SK been barrel racing since a kid at shows but got more serious in about 1995 I guess going to jackpots When not barrel racing it’s Ranching keeping the place going and the cattle happy

Have you had to overcome any challenges with horse to make it to this level of success with City?

Just really had to be patient with City and let him come along at his pace

Which was your favorite run of the weekend and what made it great?

Favorite run was winning the first go of the derby. He was so honest and sharp and really fired for me.

What do you think about before you go to make a run on this horse?  What's the game plan?

To try to be patient in the turns on him let him work

Tell us about your gear setup for this horse   What are you riding in for a saddle, pad, bit etc?  Shoes or no shoes?

I run him in a Elliot bit pretty sure it’s the spur up 03 SS with a port and the beads inlaid mouthpiece I use a 3S pad on him and a Martin BTR saddle He runs barefoot

And how about the feeding and maintenance plan? What fuels this speedy horse?

City gets beet pulp along with the Farmstead Cool Care and G’s formula. He gets oral Zesterra when being hauled and before runs. And he’s on the Zesterra lick tubs. Thankfully no maintenance he’s a very easy moving horse so hope he continues to take care of himself

What are your competition plans for yourself and this City for the rest of the season?

I hope to hit more of the events that have some derby’s and some slot races. Ones that have the sidepots he’s eligible for. Might run him at the odd rodeo that might suit him.

Do you have anyone you'd like to thank or sponsors we can promote for you?  

I need to thank my husband Jason for always staying home looking after things. The horses that are left at home while I’m gone and make sure the cattle are staying in and looking after our dog Addie. She’s not a great traveller which I wish she was but I think she prefers to stay home lol

Upcoming Events:

If you want YOUR event listed free, please reply to this email or use the “hot tips” form on the website. Everyone is welcome to help me out and submit events whether you’re the producer or contestant. ;)
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Entries are open for the June 28/29 Canada Race in Rimbey, Alberta. Enter HERE
There is a futurity, derby and open race. Answers to questions in this post HERE
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The 20th Twirl and Whirl in Brooks, AB set their dates for September 19-21st and announced $15,000 added. Info here
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I started a spreadsheet with many of Western Canada’s barrel races listed including 4 Provinces. It is a work in progress, please send changes or additions. Have a look HERE
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Use this post to buy and sell slots for the Red White and Gold Slot race in Biggar, SK
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Find info on each of the Canadian Barrel Futurities Events HERE 
the next CBF approved event is the Big Bang, Aug 5 -10.
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Supernova Productions announced a move from Wetaskiwin, to Red Deer - Westerner Park for their event The Big Bang Aug 5-10, 2025. Entries are open.
It was also recently announced Futurity and Derby contestants can enter either pool A or B this year. HERE
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CBHI announced and exciting 2D Slot Race to be added to their weekend. More info HERE The CBHI Flagship event is October (9TH-12TH) 2025 in Ponoka, AB. The have indicated this event and their approved race derby age is continuing to be 7 & under.
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The Prestige Barrel race is also noted as CBHI approved and scheduled for June 21-22 in Brandon, MB. There is a post running for those wanting to buy and sell slots. FB page here.

Road Recipe Of The Week - Keeping it Simple!

Roast Beef & Horseradish Wraps

• Ingredients:

  • Sliced roast beef (great use of leftovers)

  • Arugula (or lettuce if you’re not that fancy)

  • Horseradish mayo (or your choice of sauce)

  • Tortilla or wrap

• Instructions:

  1. Spread horseradish mayo on the wrap.

  2. Add arugula (lettuce) and roast beef.

  3. Wrap tightly and refrigerate.
     

Presented by: Rodeoclassifieds.com

RodeoClassifieds.com is 25 years young this year! To celebrate we are having an ad sale. Post now, pay later.  Free upfront, pay only if we have helped to sell your horse. Stallions and businesses only after 500 views. Post today, pay later.

🍎Road Apples - tidbits from around the web this week

🍎Need some guidance oiling your saddle? Here’s a good overview.

🍎Use a dog collar to help ice a knee. Good idea HERE

🍎Energy Equine shared about aerobic and anaerobic conditioning HERE

Featured Ranch

Would you like your ranch or business featured? We’d love to promote yours, get in touch.

Mindset Minute with Michelle Davey

Last week I mentioned a “grounding practice” as one idea for a mindfulness or mindset practice. Let’s talk about what that might look like.

To put it simple, if you’re connected to the ground, you can’t be all up in your head. Think of how your electric fencer needs have a grounding wire to be effective. You’re an electric being yourself and not a lot different.

Since energy follows intention, you can get your boots on the ground, sit on the ground, lay on the grass, take your boots and socks right off if you really want to “plug in”. But you can also use your imagination and connect and ground. You can follow my prompts now. Check in with how you’re feeling and take a deep breath. Imagine roots growing from your feet and into the core of the earth. Taking a breath and exhaling while you imagine a root growing out of your butt and through your seat (or saddle) and into the earth. Taking another breath in and exhaling slowly while you feel connected and settled into your body while it’s plugged into the earth. Check back in with your body and see how you feel. You will feel less in your head and more in your body. Your horse will sense this shift and be more apt to connect with you from a grounded frequency. The more often you practice this ahead of being nervous the easier it will be to connect when you are a bit amped up. You’ll create a grounding anchor in your mind and be able to center and ground easier each time.

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Until next week,

Michelle