The 57th Annual Foothills Cowboys Association Finals were held October 5-7th with 4 performances used to declare the finals champion. Each round paid 4 places, with the winner receiving $1000 for a round win. Winning the average, the 2rd round plus 2 seconds and a 3rd was enough for Brook Robertson to come out the finals barrel racing champion. Brook finished 50 points ahead of season leader Bobbie Goodwin.
We caught up with Brook to learn a little bit more about her success:
-What is the name of the horse you are running?
DBF Skipadash Jewel (Jewel)
-How old is Jewel?
She is 10
-How long have you been running barrels on her?
Since March of 2011
What is the training background on this horse?
Tanya Blacklaw trained her. She did a lot of different things with her. Rode pens at the auction market, cattle sorting etc. She didn’t limit her to barrel work.
-What is your training and riding style with your horse?
Jewel runs pretty straight. Not a bendy type horse. She also has a lot of rate so I have to ride pretty aggressive.
Even though she has a straighter style I spend a lot of time on suppling exercises because I still want her to be soft in her face and soft in her ribcage. She has a tendency to get flat sometimes on her first so I school her with more shape then she would run with and really make her be soft in her body. I don’t give her much pocket when I work her but I do work her long to help keep her free and keep her feet moving.
-What is it you like best about Jewel?
Her heart and her try.
-You won the FCA finals…. which run do you think was your best there and why ?
Our 2nd run was our best. It was fluid and smooth and was the fast time of the finals.
Here is a look at that run:
-How do you prepare for your runs (warm up etc.)?
Our warm up is pretty simple. I long trot for a bit and only a few circles each way. I then do a little bit of suppling and then get off and stretch her. After that I just keep her walking and then visualize my run a couple times and then get on about 5 out.
-What kind of saddle do you use?
Dee Butterfield flex tree
-What kind of pad do you use?
Dee Butterfield wool pad
-What kind of bit do you use?
I use a few. I ride her in a snaffle when doing dry work. I run her mostly in a medium shank gag Dee Butterfield bit made by Dave Elliot and School her sometimes in a long shank gag. I ran her in a long shank at the finals.
-Are there any specific goals you set for yourself and your horse this season?
My goal in the beginning was to just qualify for the finals. When it was going so well I had hoped for season leader but we ended up 2nd which was still pretty great! Winning the finals was the goal going into last weekend.
-What lead you to be a barrel racer?
My mom is a breeder, trainer and competitor so it just happened. She hauled my pony to all the rodeos with us. I went through stages when I was younger when I didn’t want to do it but it never lasted long. I would always miss it too much.
-If you were to share a training/rodeo tip what would it be?
Put a good foundation on your horse before starting it on the barrels.
Brook would like to send a special shout and out and thank you:
Thank you to my friends and family who encouraged and supported me along the way. My mom for being a great coach and mentor. So many families have helped me along the way and I am very thankful to all of them!
Big thank you to my finals sponsors, Wild Creek Contracting, Butterfield Performance Horses, Simalta Farms ltd. , and Big Country Energy Services
Here is a look at Round 3:
Click to enlarge the 2012 FCA Barrel Racing Results
Congratulations Brook and best of luck in 2012! 🙂
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