Nancy Csabay CFR 2016
Nancy Csabay is the 2015 Barrel Racing Champion after taking home a grand total of $84,714.89, and is heading back to Edmonton for her 7th time. This year Nancy and her main mount Wicked won Pincher Creek Rodeo and won the Cinch Finals Average in Calgary at the end of September.
Little Miss Wicked (Wicked) is a 2004 sorrel mare by Terribly Wicked and out of a Special Effort Granddaughter.
Does she have any quirks?
When I first started training her, she thought she knew everything so we would have an argument for the first 10 mins of every ride for about a year.
She’s not a fan of being tied to our little 3-horse aluminum trailer, she hasn’t pulled back this year (knock on wood) but I have been super cautious and watch her like a hawk
How would you describe her style?
4 wheel drive, easy, simple, let her do her job and stay out of the way
With all the miles made, varying ground conditions, and expenses, what kept the CFR dream alive for you?
I feel like I haven’t made a lot of miles, I go to about 25 rodeos a year and only go to the ones I like now. I usually turn out of muddy conditions (except for Calgary), so ground conditions don’t really play a factor. I’m not sure what kept the dream alive…is it because I love to rodeo and barrel race? Is it because Wicked loves to run? Is it because we only have so many runs, so let’s not waste them? Is it because Wicked deserves it?? I don’t know… Maybe it’s all of that…
How do you stay healthy on the road? Do you exercise or just eat as healthy as you can?
I try to follow the food combining principle. It aids in digestion and helps in absorbing nutrients from the food I eat. I love Yoga, but tend not to do it on the road, but I guess I could if I wasn’t so lazy.
What are your favorite bloodlines for barrel racing?
Jet of Honor, Special Effort, Streakin Six which is the sire to Terribly Wicked who is Wicked’s sire
What qualities do you look for when looking to buy a young horse?
I haven’t bought a horse for a long time. We have one broodmare, Reba. She is 21 and has produced 13 foals, I think. So I get what I get. She has produced multiple futurity, derby and rodeo winners and I’m so grateful to have her.
Riding a seasoned barrel horse, what exercises do you do for tune-ups on the pattern?
I really stay away from the barrels on Wicked. When I’m conditioning her, I go out to the field and go around the pivot tires, but mostly I just keep her in shape
Regarding legging a horse up, what is your routine?
When I first start out conditioning Wicked in the spring after having the winter off I set up an interval timer on my phone walk for 10 min, trot for 2 min, walk 1 min, trot for 2 min….etc and slowly increase speed, and duration
We all know that being competitive takes mental strength. What do you do to keep a sharp mental edge in the game of rodeo?
I visualize my run the night before. When I get to the rodeo, I like to have a routine. I change my thought from nervousness to excitement so I rarely get nervous any longer. But what keeps me in the moment the best is my breath, so I concentrate on that and give it to God.
What is your go to product for keeping your horse sound for the season?
I’m not a fan of injections, Wicked’s joints have never been injected, but I love Adequan. I like BOT, but really like this new product called EQUStreamZ. It’s a magnetic band I put on Wicked’s fetlocks. I use it on my self and have noticed a difference in aches and pains, so I use them on Wicked too. Equiwinner is another product I use on Wicked. I use it spring, summer, and fall. It helps keep her electrolytes balanced. I started using Sharpedge this spring and Wicked loves it. She’s usually picky with her grain but not with Sharpedge! Econets is another product I love. It makes Wicked slow down in her eating, but most of all, she can’t bury her nose in the hay which keeps any dust from going into her lungs.
Lung health is of utmost importance. I think we tend to concentrate on joint health when we should be concentrating on lung health. Equipulmin is what I use for Wicked. It’s great for allergies and keeps her lungs healthy naturally
What do you do in the off season?
We have a place in AZ that we usually go to where I train young horses.
My life wouldn’t be the same without Tony and Kate. They are my biggest support system and I wouldn’t want to be on this journey without them. I’m so grateful for my brother, Brian, at Haraga’s Health Management. He has done wonders for Wicked and I! To all the girls supporting the Retreats: I can’t thank you enough- we are One and we are changing the world of barrel racing. Last but certainly not least….Wicked….she has made my life miraculous….truly miraculous.
