Two big wins for Katie Garthwaite this past weekend (May 29 – June 2) at Grand Prairie and Leduc shot her right to the top of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Standings. The duo won $3167.80 at Grand Prairie and $2013.48. Her 10 year old mare Frenchie is ready to work as the CPRA season heats up with some of the largest paying rodeos right around the corner. We were able to catch up with Katie to ask her about her mare and her plans for this season.
-What is the registered and barn name of the horse you were riding?
Her barn name is Frenchie and her registered is FC Guys Prime Time
(click to enlarge pedigree at right).
-How long have you been running barrels on her?
I got Frenchie in the fall of 2011
-What is the training background on this horse?
A friend of mine was looking for a horse and I was trying to help her find one, when I saw the video of Frenchie on a friends Facebook page. She was in Oklahoma at the time and was 7. She had been started by a lady down there.
– How would you describe this horses running style?
She floats 🙂 She runs really really hard and is pretty level. I try to ride her to the backside of every barrel and then let her snap back. She is pretty honest. I call her my Ol’ Lady horse cause usually I have a hand in the middle of the rein and the other one on my horn 😉 lol
-What is it you like best about her?
Oh that is a tough one. I just love her! She is a tough mare that is pretty confident with herself. But I can also put my 6 yr old daughter on her and she can ride her around the arena. For the most part she is pretty laid back. She doesn’t really like any new horses in her space and can kind of be that way to people. Not overly friendly. But she and I have a good bond, she will come up to me in her pen or meet me in the pasture.
– Which was your favorite run of the weekend and why?
Another hard one!! They both were something special for me. Last fall I had struggled with her inside and feeling like she wouldn’t turn the 1st barrel so I decided to switch her and go left.
At Leduc I didn’t get the best approach to the first and she just worked for me. I almost ran her straight at it and yet she still got around it. In Grande Prairie she was really running hard to the first and kind of got by it just and bit but when she came around and left it I just figured to go on cause I knew she was fast. By the time we got around the 3rd I knew we were ok but sure didn’t figure we were that fast. I was just super proud of her for handling both inside and outside runs. She just seemed so confident in herself and I was really just along for the ride.
Katie and Frenchie winning Leduc, AB Pro Rodeo
-How do you prepare for your runs (warm up etc.)? Does this change having to make for than one run in a weekend? Do you change it for
different arenas?
Usually I like to get her saddled up and get on and go out by myself some where, I turn my iPod on and listen to some good music – I think when I do that Frenchie knows what is happening 🙂 I do a lot of long trotting to stretch and warm her up. But for the most part she is easy and doesn’t take a lot of work.
-What kind of saddle do you use?
I’m riding a old Cecil Phillips saddle right now
-What kind of pad do you use?
I just won a Best Ever pad and I like it. I also have a Wade pad that I use some. But because I am a little superstitious I’ll stick to the Best Ever pad 🙂
-What kind of bit do you use?
I have a few that I like and they are all Dave Elliot’s bits. I couldn’t even tell u what one it is. It is a new one that he made for a girl in Oklahoma and I begged Louise to let me buy hers that she hadn’t even got to try yet. We were at a futurity in the states in April. I used it there and loved the way she felt. 😉
-Are there any specific goals you set for yourself and Frenchie this year?
Like most girls I really want to make the CFR. I really believe in Frenchie. I have rode lots of horses in my life and when I threw my leg over her the first time I just knew she was special. I went to just over 20 rodeos last year and just missed it. I would like for that to be different this year 😉
-If you were to share a barrel racing tip what would it be?
I just try to keep it simple and consistent. What ever u do be consistent in what u do. Most horses are pleasers and if they understand what you are asking they will try for you.
Katie would like to extend a special thank you to her family. If it wasn’t for my husband, mom, and sister I wouldn’t be where I am right now. They are so very supportive! I have some really great friends as well that help me out and go the extra mile if needed. I’m just a pretty lucky person actually 😉 Life is good!
Katie and Frenchie winning the round down in Washington with a 16.8 on a Standard Pattern
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