Deltas First Candle Lit Up The Arena In Barrhead

Winning four out of five rounds, the 2014 Wild Rose Rodeo Association Challenge Champion Barrel Racer was Sonda Marks.   Sonda is a busy futurity and derby horse trainer who has also left her mark in the rodeo world.    Her rodeo super star Deltas First Candle (Tiny) was a horse that she had brought up through the futurity and derby ranks and transitioned into the rodeo world.    Sonda answered our questions to give us an idea of some of the work that goes on behind the scenes and the gear she uses to make it all work.

– What is your horse’s registered and barn name?

Click to enlarge

Deltas First Candle aka Tiny

-How long have you been running barrels on him?
Hes been running since the age of 5.  I futuritied and derbied him.

-What is the training background on this horse?
He ran as a 2 and 3 yr old on the track having a 83 speed index.  I trained him myself.   Ran him in all of the futurities and derbies.  He was quite successful.

– How would you describe this horse’s running style?
He is more of a free runner.

-What is it you like best about him?
He has quite the personality.  He is one of the most playful horses I have on and off of him.  He will snake his neck everytime you go to lope him in a playful way.  He has always been a good feeling horse.

– Which run stands out as your best at finals and why?
I would say his first run was his best as he won by 4/10ths.

-How do you prepare for your runs (warm up etc.)?
I just do some long trotting and lope circles.-What kind of saddle do you use?
Tammy Key Fisher treeless.

WRA Championship Saddle

Sonda Marks and Tiny

-What kind of pad do you use?
Saddle right

-What kind of bit do you use?
Les Vogt fast time bit.  Called the sidewinder.

-Are there any specific goals you set for yourself and your horse this season?
I wanted to make both WRA and LRA finals and try to win one of them.

-If you were to share a barrel racing tip what would it be?
Consistency and timing.

-What do you do when your aren’t barrel racing?
I am a licensed sugaring and vasculyse technician in Leduc.

– You train many futurity and derby horses, how does the rodeo scene compare?

I love training futurity horses.  I have to admit it is hard doing rodeos and futurities.  I had to miss some good rodeos from being at futurities and vice versa.  Over all though if I had to pick I would do the futurities over rodeos.  I usually sell my horses after there futurity or derby year so I don’t have anything left to rodeo off of.

Here’s a video of Sonda and Tiny winning the round at the 2014 WRA Finals —  Click on it to start it.

Post by Sonda Gray Marks.

Barrel Racing Results from the Wild Rose Rodeo Association Finals