The Doenz sisters from Milk River, AB have been a force to be reckoned with this year on the Canadian Cowboys Association circuit. Both Jodi and Josey find themselves within the top 12 in the CCA standings. At this time, Jodi holds the number 2 spot and Josey is in 11th. A big rodeo weekend in Manitoba sent Jodi home with the win in Grunthal, MB and Josey took the win in Virden, MB. The girls took the time to answer our questions about their horses and what its like to travel with and compete with your sister.
-What is your horse’s registered and barn name?
Jodi– Registered name Chics Easy Bug
Barn name Aero
Josey– Registered name Full Cycle
Barn name Okey
-How long have you been running barrels on Aero and Okey?
Jodi– I have been running Aero for three years now.
Josey– I have been running Okey three years now.
-What is the training background on this horse?
Jodi– Aero was futuritied in Canada.
Josey– Okey was futuritied in Oklahoma.
– How would you describe this horse’s running style?
Jodi– Aero is a push style horse and runs good on all types of ground.
Josey– Okey isn’t completely consistent yet but he always tries hard. The speed he goes into the arena he will maintain through out the run so I always start from the back 40 to get some momentum built up and the zigzag out of my run.
-What is it you like best about your respective horse?
Jodi– I really like that he’s turny but still has lots of run.
Josey– I really like Okeys please me attitude and effortless style.
Aero and Jodi photo by www.lewisimages.ca
-How do you prepare for your runs (warm up etc.)?
Jodi- I saddle and boot right before I have to get on to warm up, and I always try to wait as long as possible to prevent extra time to get nervous. I do the exact same warm up before every run. Which consists of alot of long trotting, loping some big and tight circles and I always finish my warm up with reverse arcs to make sure he’s being soft with his bit. I only warm up for about ten minutes to keep him calm.
Josey- I do whatever Jodi’s wants to do cause we always warm up together and I feel like it doesn’t really effect my horse and Jodi needs me beside her to keep Aero calm.
-What kind of saddle, pad and bit do you use?
Jodi– I use my CCA finals champion saddle on Aero which I really like to ride in because it fits every horse at my house. This spring I purchased a Bestever pad which I really like and I ride in a Dave Elliot bit which I love and would recommend all of his bits.
Josey I have an unhealthful attachment to my Circle W trail riding saddle that I got ten years ago when I was little, even tho it’s falling apart I can’t let go lol I ride in a felt pad and I also ride in a Dave Elliot bit.
-Are there any specific goals you set for yourself and your horse this season?
Jodi– Every year I set a goal I want to accomplish and try to up it every season to keep improving. Last year I set the goal to make finals which I was fortunate enough to accomplish and this year my goal was to win season leader in the CCA.
Josey– My goal this year was to become consistent with Okey and make CCA finals.
-If you were to share a barrel racing tip what would it be?
Jodi– I would share don’t let yourself get into your head about the ground or the arena I think this will psych yourself out. So don’t over think it which I am definitely guilty of haha
Josey– I always tell myself it’s race and don’t worry about the little details. You ain’t going to be winning if you are training so ride em like you stole em.
Josey and Oakey – photo by Blackmer Photography
-What do you do when your aren’t barrel racing?
Jodi and Josey- We both pick up shifts during the week at local bars and help out on the family farm and ranch. Our horses are our number one priority so they always come first whether it’s graining them morning and night or going to ride with our favorite barrel racer Monica Wilson.
– How long have you been barrel racing and how did you get started?
Jodi and Josey– since we were toddlers we rode ranch horses helping our dad move cows which started our passion for horses. When we were 5 and 4 dad bought us our first barrel horse and continued to buy us the next level of horses to be competitive in our age group which we are extremely thankful for the opportunities he has given us.
– What is it like competing as sisters?
Jodi and Josey – We are both extremely competitive but completely supportive of each other. We both equally like winning but rather see each other win than ourselves.
– Do you feel you ride similar? Have you ever swapped horses and how did that go if you have?
Jodi and Josey– Once in awhile we have been put in a situation that we have had to swap horses and have always had little success which tells us we do not ride the same lol
Jodi and Josey – We would like to thank Dave Elliot for helping us keep our horses 100% and feeling good. Also we would like to thank Monica Wilson for all her advice, support and being our second momma over the years. And we would like to thank our parents for their support of our expensive passion and driving us up and down the rodeo trail. We definitely couldn’t do it without them.
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