Memories and Stampedes

Welcome to the 17th edition of The Arena Feed!

It has been an exciting week of rodeo and barrel racing here in Canada. I had the most enjoyable time watching the barrel racing at the Calgary Stampede this year. What a breath of fresh air to be able to watch with joy and excitement rather than getting gray hair and sympathy pain and frustration watching to see who stood up the best. Kudos to the ground committee and I hope this inspires others to continue to use their resources and do their best as well.

In this issue we hear from Sandy Stewart who just won the Laurie Cooper Memorial barrel race and Shayna McCannell who won the Wood Mountain Stampede CCA Rodeo. Read those below.

Another Memorial race that ran over the weekend was the Joan Lenfesty Memorial at Selkirk, MB. Dawn Vandersteen and Little Miss Chrissy won that average and coveted handmade clock. We heard from Dawn’s daughter April earlier this season with her win on Little Miss Chrissy. Read that HERE

Things are heating up and the dollars are climbing in the CPRA barrel race. You can find those standings HERE. It was Jill Parsonage who won Bowden, AB and Sissy Win who won Teepee Creek barrels over the weekend.

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: Interview with Sandy Stewart and Shayna McCannell
➡Featured ad
➡Road Apples - tidbits from around the web
➡Featured Ranch
➡Mindset Minute with Michelle
➡Meme of the week

From The Arena Floor with Sandy Stewart

Sandy Stewart won the Laurie Cooper Memorial Barrel Race held at Oly’s near Whitewood, SK this past weekend. Sandy has been barrel racing for a few years now and it’s always fun to watch her bring on young horses and see who they move onto next. In this case, it looks like Rocky wanted to stick around a little longer so he could take Sandy to the winners circle! This isn’t her first win on Rocky this season but I’m happy to feature her and Rocky now.

Tell us about  BDB CAPTON QUICK  AKA Rocky .  Who bred him, who owns him, who has done the training etc.  Tell us about his personality and what he is like to run. 

I bought Rocky on November 7 of his 4 yr old year from B= Quarter Horses (the Bennies). He was barely halter broke so I dropped him off at Stoughton with my colt starter, James McDonal. I told him he was only 3 because I thought he wouldn’t take a 4 yr nearly 5! The next day he was working him in his wooden round pen and Rocky bust out, wood flying everywhere! James almost called me to say “I don’t think this horse is for you, Sandy!” Anyway he put a month on him and I took him to AZ for a couple months! Everyday after I rode him (and before Happy Hour), I’d sit leaning against his stall reading a book and swore he was going to start liking me (he was so standoffish, impersonal) On return it was Covid times so nothing much going on so I sent him to My son, Graham, to swing a rope on, drag a log , etc. as I had full intentions of making him a HS rodeo horse and selling him! The Horse Spirits and the Universe had different plans as he got really sick with an ulcer and I spent the whole year doctoring him. As years went on, he became fairly solid by 2024 and more so this year! He’s a hot little horse but paws a lot less at the trailer - I always said he was digging a hole to China to bring up another virus! 😂😂 when he goes in the arena, he’s ALL business! He goes to run barrels!!

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 Kennedy Saskatchewan and now live near Weyburn Saskatchewan. I was a teacher for at-risk youth till I retired! I’ve been barrel racing since dinosaur days! I once beat Dick Stewart (no relation) at the Kennedy Rodeo (boys could barrel race too) on Frisky, a coal black feral ponyxthoroughbred , bareback!! Hope he reads this! 😂😂 When I’m not barrel racing, I’m running around getting my 5 broodmares looked after! I’m 71 so I am looking to keep in the barrel racing world raising some prospects! My latest purchase is a Royal Quick Frenchman mare from Montana! I love the Royal Quick Dash breeding! I also teach First Aid to support my habit! In the winter we background 300 or so calves to grass in the summer! Very busy!!
So many great horses and so little time left for me!

You have a few years of wisdom under your belt that you've been able to take into training this one.  Can you share two nuggets of wisdom you've learned along the way that has helped you train Rocky?

Slow is fast! You can’t put too much rate in a barrel horse!

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

Hang on and hope for the best!😉

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

Elliott Bit, Burns Saddle (game changer), Shannon Kerr ROM pad, shoes all round

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

I’ve been through the whole range of feed but soon as I get on one, it either isn’t available locally, sold out, or the store closes, etc. so I’m feeding whole oats (totally against recommendations for an ulcer prone horse), lots of beet pulp, Camelina Plus, camelina oil. My horses are only stalled when required at an event and I get them out to tie to trailer as long as possible !

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

I will continue to to go to the bigger, close to the heart jackpots, but my main focus is KCRA rodeos. Barrel Racing is tough at those.

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

#fuelbyallan (husband)
#horsesbyBDB B= Quarter Horses
#shoesbycurtis Curtis Marcenko, farrier
#familysupport
#paymyownway
Waiting for a ton truck sponsorship as mine is getting old!

From The Arena Floor with Shayna McCannell

On the CCA Rodeo trail this past weekend the cowgirls and cowboys made a stop at the famous Wood Mountain Stampede, near Wood Mountain, SK. Navigating the old time arena and coming out on top was Shayna McCannell and her horse Handsome.

Tell us about Six Moons Guy AKA Handsome.  Who bred him, who owns him, who has done the training etc.  Tell us about his personality and what he’s like to run. 

Handsome is 13. He was bred and started by Rick and Paddy White of Oak Lake MB. He is by their late stud Six Moons Guy. In 2018 I was lucky enough to campaign him at some jackpots and MBRA Finals and then I bought him that fall.

Handsome has quite the personality! He is very spooky, has been from day one. You don’t know what he’s going to spook at (inside or outside the arena) so you just have to prepared for anything and everything at all times lol! I truly don’t think anyone understands just how spooky he is unless they know him lol. He is an in your pocket and loves attention type horse.

He is very athletic and a free runner. He has a fairly big stride and is nice and smooth. For as spooky as he is, he thrives in the loud and packed arenas!

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 grew up in Carievale SK and now live in Brandon MB. I’ve ridden horses all my life and have been barrel racing for 30 years. Started out in the MBRA/SBRA, MHSRA, MRCA, RRA in ND and CCA. I’ve also entered a few pro rodeos.

When I’m not barrel racing I’m working at a Child and Family Services Agency as a clerical supervisor. And in the winter months you can find me at the curling rink.

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

I think at some point in everyone’s seasons there’s going to be struggles to overcome. Last summer Handsome got hurt in August and was off the remainder of the year. We started back slowly this spring and it’s definitely taken some time mentally for me to get back on track with my timing but these last few runs I feel like we’re getting our groove back!

What was it about this run that you think helped you take the win?

I think Handsome was really locked on, focused and wanting to work in our run. The ground wasn’t ideal and he had some slips like other horses but he stayed smooth and straight in his lines.

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

I try to just stay relaxed and visualize my run. I’m very much about repetition and consistency. Staying calm for him too because he can definitely get amped up!

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

Martin saddle, 5 Star pad, Ed Wright ported bit and shoes all around.

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

Good quality hay. Podium and alfalfa pellets with Galozyme by Techna Vet and equine power. He gets 4cyte for his joints and any maintenance by our vet as needed!

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

We’re going to continue entering the CCA rodeos and just take it a weekend at a time. Finals in October is always an end goal but we need to first continue to focus on one rodeo at a time. We’ve also been prepping for the Legends Slot Race in Saskatoon July 26th.

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

I would like to thank Elders Equine and Dr. Chris Bell for always helping to keep Handsome feeling his best.

McMillan Motor Products out of Kipling SK for their support throughout the seasons.

My family and circle of friends for always being there and Rick and Paddy White for selling me Handsome and all of their knowledge and help throughout the years.

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. ;)

Here is the Runaway Slot Rental Post. You can rent right up till you walk in the back pen for your turn. HERE
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Breeders Elite Event Schedule is posted 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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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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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. They have recently shared the arena set up. 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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Presented by: Rodeoclassifieds.com

🍎Road Apples - tidbits from around the web this week

🍎Here’s the knot you need when tying to rails! HERE

🍎How to use kineseo tape to support ring bone (and a look at a bone with it!). HERE

🍎A Famous First Kiss and Krystal Grad won the 1D Derby average at the Glacier Chaser in MT watch their interview 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

Going down my list from this original post, where I talked about different ways to implement a mindfulness practice, we are onto talking about gratitude.

“Just be grateful” sounds a little incentive when someone is going through something hard - I get it, easier said than done. This isn’t about bypassing the things you are feeling, it’s about moving into an energy that supports where you want to go, rather than where you’ve been.

It’s been said and experienced that you can’t be angry or fearful while also being grateful. Therefore, if you’re ready to get out of angry or fear, focusing on things to be grateful for can help shift that energy. Universal law also says that like attracts like, so this may also help you create more experiences to be grateful for, if that’s where your focus lies.

How to practice gratitude:
It’s more than making a list and checking it twice, although that’s a good start. Start with paying attention to your breath with some slow breaths in and out. Then access your heart space and ask yourself to come up with three things you can feel grateful for today. Don’t just list them, but feel them. How does that gratitude feel in your heart. You’re accessing a frequency here that would be amazing to attract more of. Write them down if you’d like, take some more slow breaths and carry on with more things if you’d like or move on with your practice or day at that point. Notice the shift in your energy as you’ve done that and pat yourself on the back for slowing down long enough to do the practice. Do it again tomorrow and be sure to insert it into your day where it’s likely to become a daily habit.

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Until next week,

Michelle