She’s on FIRE!

Laci Suitor has been blazin’ fast and on fire lately.  With three different horses on the go, Laci has been a busy girl.  The weekend of May

25-28 Suitor was down in Pasco Washington competing for the first time at the Barrel Racers National 4D (otherwise known as BRN4D)  2012 Championship Finals held at TRAC, Pasco, WA.  There were over 900 runs over the three days at the event, and Laci qualified all 3 horses to the top 20 short go (a feat never done by anyone before).   She won approximately $4000, 2 saddles, a buckle, a fancy saddle stand, vet box, RES Bell Boots and a steel fire pit for her efforts.

Not only did she qualify all three horses, Laci and Colorsomebugsonme (Bugs) ran the fast time (16.832 on a regulation pattern) of the event to win the 2012 Barrel Racers National 4D World Championship. This the first time the Championship has been won by a Canadian.   Laci stated how proud she was of all her horses and how they handled the electric crowd and loud music. Her other horses worked great too. Wizard (for sale) ran a 17.560, and Friendly ran a 17.037 in the Championship round.   Over the weekend the contributions of all three horses made Laci the Alberta Season Leader Saddle winner.

In order to qualify for the finals each horse needed to have 6 runs at BRN4D approved events (18 runs total with 3 horses at BRN4D jackpots).  Laci was able to qualify her horses through jackpots in Arizona this past winter, including the Greg Olson Memorial and Classic Equine barrel races in Buckeye, AZ.

We asked Laci some questions about her horses:

What are the names of the horse you ran are how old are each of them? Coloursomebugsonme (“Bugs”) 14yrs

Click to see larger.

old, Swift Machine (“Friendly”) 7yrs old, and Barbauinos Gray Boy (“Wizard”) 14yrs old (click here for his for sale ad).

You won the finals on Bugs, how long have you been running barrels on him? This is my third season with him. I bought him in 2010 from Allie Lait, and ran him at the FCA rodeos that year. We won season leader that year, which automatically got me my semi-pro card with the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association. Last year, I filled my semi-pro and got my full card. We made the Tour Finals in Armstrong, BC last year which was really exciting!

What is the training background on this horse? He was trained by Chris Coffey. I don’t personally know Chris, but It’s easy to tell when you ride Bugs that he did an amazing job, and put a very solid foundation on him. 

What is your training and riding style with Bugs? I have rode a lot with Rayel Robinson over the years and have found that her training/riding style works best for me. I have incorporated her riding style into the way I ride Bugs, as well as doing a few things that took some experimenting myself. I also do a lot of slow work with him. This winter I switched him from going left first, back to going right.

What is it you like best about him? Super athletic, great to haul, and an absolute sweetheart to be around. 

Bugs, Friendly, Wizarad and Laci

 

You ran a 16.8 on a standard pattern on your final run.  Did it feel that fast? He really nailed his first barrel, which set the pace for the rest of my run. He was definitely trying his heart out for me. I didn’t use a quirt in the run, and he didn’t need one! 

How do you prepare for your runs (warm up etc.)? To warm up, I like to trot and lope a few circles getting bend in the rib cage and bend at the poll. Then, I like to do a few rollbacks. I want that “snap” to transition into my run – In my run, I want to get in and out of the turn as quickly as possibly. I also like to do a few quick stretches on myself, and visualize my run to get mentally prepared. Oh, and I always carry one treat in my pocket (After my run, I walk my horse up the alley, get off, un-cinch, and give them a treat).

What kind of saddle do you use? On Bugs, I use my old Cowboy Country Qualifier saddle I have used since I

Swift Machine (Friendly) was bred and raised by Suitor Quarter Horses. By JKH Quater Horses Stallion "Plain Special" out of one of Suitor's ranch raised mares Miss Swift Tivio.

was 12 yrs old. On Wizard, I use a Rayel Racer saddle, and I use my FCA Season Leader saddle from Cowboy Country on Friendly.  

What kind of pad do you use? I use a different pad on all three horses. I have been using a CSI pad on Wizard, an Impact Gel pad on Friendly, and a Professional Choice SMX Air Ride pad on Bugs.

What kind of bit do you use? I use Dave Elliot bits on both Friendly and Bugs. I use the Oscar bit on Bugs. With Wizard, I currently use the 321 Reinsman bit.

Are there any specific goals you have set for yourself and your horse this season? My main goal is to make the Canadian Finals Rodeo this year.

There were other contestants from Canada at the event. Here are some of them with Laci and her Alberta High Point Saddle

What lead you to be a barrel racer? My family has always been really supportive, and I’ve been very fortunate to have all the opportunities that were given to me as soon as I became involved with the sport of barrel racing. My mom used to barrel race (and still rides) and my dad team ropes, which got me interested in horses and barrel racing at a very young age. Also, I grew up on a ranch around horses. I owe a lot of my success to my family, who is helping me every step of the way.

If you were to share a training/rodeo tip what would it be? I think a solid foundation on a horse is really important. From there, believe in yourself, your horse(s), and your abilities!

Do you have anything else you would like to add?I have some pretty lucky horses because RES Equine Products president Brett Mills approached me after the World Championships round and said RES would like to supply all my wrap and boot needs for my horses as a sponsor! Also, if anyone else interested in getting some RES products themselves, send me a message because I can get them to you at a really good price. I used the bell boots and polo wraps this weekend, amazing quality and customizable velcro colors. 
I also have to give a huge thank you to Kolby for helping me over the weekend!

Here is a look at Laci and Bug’s BIG WIN (it is really exciting to watch! :))

Just last weekend at the Silver Sage Futurity in Brooks.  Laci continued her winning ways.  Under Laci’s steady guidance Swift Machine (Friendly) and Suitor handily won the Derby championship.    She also went on to place at the Leduc pro rodeo adding to her season earning in the quest for a CFR qualification.   We wish Laci all the best this year and look forward to seeing her in the results each weekend.