A mover and a shaker in the CPRA barrel racing standings for the last several weekends, has been Kerilee Noval and her horse Honor A Bully Effort (Bully). The 10 year old gelding has been making solid runs, one after another. The pair are holding their own in 4th place in the current standings (up to and including Medicine Hat and Bruce). Their latest paychecks came from Maple Creek (2nd) and a win at the Morris Stampede in Manitoba (video below) and in Teepee Creek. There haven’t been many rodeos in the last month and a half where you won’t find Kerilee’s name in the results!
Kerilee answered our questions about Bully and their program for success.
-What is your horses barn name?
HONOR A BULLY EFFORT aka “Bully”
-How long have you been running barrels on him?
I have been running him for exactly two years.
-What is the training background on this horse?
He was trained and futuritied by Chris Martin in Texas and we bought him as a derby horse. Chris came up to Canada to run him at the derbys here after we bought him.
– How would you describe this horse’s running style?
He isn’t very big but he has a pretty long stride. A lot of people think he looks bigger than he is when they watch his videos because he runs like a big horse. He is very smooth in his turns and really stays on top of the ground so he can handle the trashy stuff. In the big pens he is very free running but in the smaller ones you really have to push him.
-What is it you like best about him?
My favorite thing about Bully is his try and honesty. I have never left the arena and thought to myself that he didn’t put in the effort to win. He also isn’t the type of horse to cheat me on a barrel. I can depend on the fact that if I keep him feeling good and ride him well that he will do his part every time.
– You’ve made quite a few great runs lately. Which one stands out as one of the best and why?
The run that stands out most to me right now is from Teepee Creek. He slipped pretty good on the third barrel and it caused us to come out of it wide, but once he got his footing back he just kept running and we ended up tying for first place. I was just really proud of his try after that because usually a slip like that costs you the rodeo.
-How do you prepare for your runs (warm up etc.)?
I don’t like to do a huge warm up. I usually just do some long trotting to get him loosened up and then do some big and little circles to get him ready to turn the barrels. I’ll also do some counter arching to get him moving off my leg. Then I do some big and small circles at a lope and make sure he’s stopping good and really paying attention. Before I run I’ll stand near the gate and try to keep him calm by buddying up to another horse that will walk in with us.
-What kind of saddle do you use?
I use a Pro Rider saddle
-What kind of pad do you use?
Saddle Right pad
-What kind of bit do you use?
Martha Josey million dollar bit
-Are there any specific goals you set for yourself and your horse this season?
My goal is to make my first CFR and remain in the top 5 in the CPRA standings so I can qualify for the Calgary stampede next year.
-If you were to share a barrel racing tip what would it be?
Know your horse; know if they aren’t running good it could be because there is something bothering them. There have been times I was having trouble in my run, and was blaming my riding for it when it turned out my horse was hurting and it cost me a lot more rodeos because of it.
I am currently studying at the University of Calgary majoring in natural science.
Here is Kerilee and Bully winning the 2014 Morris Stampede with a 17.3!
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