Connolly and "Sugar" ride with the pros

Wow, what a year! Barrel racing, I suppose, is literally just running around and turning. But the wet saddle blankets that it takes to get to a point so in tune with each other that each movement and thought of horse and rider are a reflection of each other, and being fast enough to outrun competitors by tenths and thousandths of seconds is what leads up to the rodeo pen. Then, what making and breaking points are, having the motivation and determination to work all week, then jump in your rig and drive hours upon hours to make your performances, sometimes entire day-long drives, and then spending lots of time camping in your horse trailer and riding in the cold, rain, snow and heat, just to turn around and drive all night back home to start the week all over again.

What I have learned this year is that I have a lot more wet saddle blankets to go before my horse and I will be as tough as some of the other “toughs” out there, whose performance at the rodeo seems unaffected by anything – no condition, weather or anything else.

I have had quite a lot of fun this year. My horse, Miss Wrangler MC Pep “Sugar” and I went to most of the Columbia River Circuit rodeos, some Pro West amateur rodeos, and quite a few 4D and jackpot barrel races. I purchased my WPRA permit this spring and was able to win enough money at the professional level to fill my card before the July 4 run, which is when I bought my WPRA card and was officially designated a rookie for the year.

My favorite rodeo this year was definitely the Pendleton Roundup, where we won our first go and finished 10th after the short go in the average. Sugar is such a neat horse, and she loves the mud, which we had never run in until this year. So the rodeos at Union, Prineville and Molalla in Oregon were no big deal and quite fun even in torrential downpours. At Sisters (Ore.) it snowed shortly after I finished running, and in St. Paul (Ore.) there are cute little trees placed in the arena.

July 4 was quite exciting. Those were the biggest, loudest rodeos, and drive times were strategically made around parade start times. The Omak Stampede was full of tradition, and of course I just love the coliseum rodeos of Central Point,Ore. and Billings, Mont.

Another high point was being named the National Barrel Horse Association Reserve State Champion of 2012, which is extra special, as Sugar’s sire, Our Hush Money, was the NBHA state champion himself back in his day.

We also were fortunate enough to win the Washington Barrel Racing Association Rookie of the Year award, as well as 9th place in open standings after the finals.

Having never competed at the WBRA finals before, I was very excited for the opportunity to run in the top 15 and to have such an experience. I just learned the other day that Sugar and I also finished fourth in the Open for the Inland Empire Barrel Racing Association for the year.

So, it was quite a year, and I appreciate everyone who has sent me well wishes and come to watch, and given me support in my endeavor. I couldn’t have done it without my support team!