Taci Bettis WNFR 2017
The 2017 Rookie of the Year is coming into the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 8th position, after $97,023.14 at 71 rodeos.
Taci Bettis of Round Top, Texas is a two time AQHA World Champion in the Amateur barrel racing, and has certainly proved herself to be a champion this year in the WPRA, keeping up with the best in the Womens Professional Rodeo Association. Taci has been featured on Racers Edge on RFD-TV, and the preview gives me goosebumps.
Bettis will be packing Bogie is a Smash “Smash” by Bogie Biankus out of a Remember Smash mare, Bogies French Bug “Bugs” by Frenchmans Bogie, and LK Sheza Hayday “Ziva” by PC Frenchmans Hayday, out of a Pie in the Sky mare, with her to Las Vegas this December.
What are your main mounts quirks?
Smash is a bit needy, he has to have a buddy he is familiar with when we are on the road.
What was your favourite rodeo this year and why?
I would say Reno because It really got my season going. That was our first big breakthrough and kicked everything off.
What has been the best advice you’ve been given regarding barrel racing or rodeo?
There is no substitute for hard work in barrel racing/rodeo. If you put the work in and stay committed, it will pay off.
If you were just starting out now, who would you train under, what clinics would you be taking? Who do your morals line up with?
I have a great coach, mentor, hauling partner, and friend in Tammy Fischer. She knows how to push people to get the best out of them and she is a big player in why I am where I am today. From starting colts to seasoning barrel Horses, she has done It all and has had a lot of success.
With all the miles made, what kept the WNFR dream alive for you?
The WNFR has always been a dream but I was really out there this summer to take it all in. I tried to treat it one week at a time and fortunately I had some great weeks this season. it gets hard being away from home for so long but as the season came closer to an end, the dream looked more like a reality and here we are, packing to go run at the Thomas & Mack.
We all know that being competitive takes mental strength. What do you do to keep a sharp mental edge in the game of rodeo? Do you do anything before a run to keep your nerves in check?
Drink… A lot… just kidding. But seriously, the sport of rodeo is very humbling and you MUST be strong mentally. There is no guaranteed money like in other professional sports, there are no days off, we have to compete and win to get paid, bottom line. When you have those kind of stakes at play, the pressure can feel overbearing at times. But we breathe, talk to our family, friends and mentors, and we realize that we are living the dream, and I wouldn’t trade that for the world.
Under your program, what do you do when a horse feels off to you? Who/what therapies do you include in your program?
I think it’s important to know how your horse feels so you can catch the little things before they become much more serious. If it’s something I feel needs attention I’m usually on the phone with my vet for a consultation.
When shopping, what areas of conformation turn you off? What points of conformation do your prospects absolutely must have?
I seem to always pick ranchy looking horses. Honestly, I don’t look hard at much, I ride them and if I like the way they move and feel then I give them a shot.
What would you like to see be done in the industry to better rodeo as a sport?
I think there is a lot we can do as an association. I think the PRCA/WPRA have done a great job in growing the sport to what it is today, but I genuinely feel that there is a lot more ground to gain moving forward. We have some of the best, most humble, good hearted, genuinely pure athletes in the world in our sport and I’m excited to be a part of helping to gain exposure to the world for my fellow athletes.
