Sydney Daines CFR 2016
In 2014 Sydney Daines took home 3 Go Round buckles at the Canadian Finals Rodeo, and was headed to the Calgary Stampede in 2015 after finishing the season in the Top 4. In 2015 Daines did not make it back to Edmonton. She set her sights on a 2016 C.F.R Qualification and is coming to Edmonton in 8th position with $16,694.69 after 35 rodeos.
The weeks leading up to the C.F.R have been quite busy for Sydney.
“I’m in my 3rd year of Education/Kinesiology now attending University of Alberta. I am a starting striker for the UofA Pandas soccer team and so far we are ranked in the top 10 best teams in Canada. This time of the year is really busy for me trying to ride Flame, go to 3-4 hours of practice everyday and school work on top of that. I’m so lucky to have my Mom and Coulee Equine to help with Flame to keep him in shape and healthy for me on days I can’t be home.”
Flame is a 12 year old gelding sired by Dash ta Fame out of a Jet of Honor Mare. Raised on the family farm and named after the Calgary Flames the year they made it to the 7th of the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2004. Sydney’s Mom Cheryl trained Flame, and Sydney began riding him when he was 7 years old.
Does he have any quirks?
Flame has a very funny personality and is terrified of cattle and pretty much everything else, but once he starts walking down the alley he is the quietest and most relaxed horse.
With all the miles made, varying ground conditions, and expenses, what kept the C.F.R dream alive for you?
What kept the C.F.R dream alive for me was 2 factors. First was competing at C.F.R in 2014 and knowing what the atmosphere is like in Rexall Place. Then in 2015 not qualifying for the 2015 C.F.R and how heart breaking that was. After watching the 2015 C.F.R I made it a goal that I would not be in the stands next year feeling sorry for myself but rather putting in all the effort I can to make it back running down the alley in 2016. Second thing for me was sometimes when you go to the small town rodeos on cold days or early morning slack there in no energy in the arena and it is hard to remind yourself what the year end goal is or why I am putting myself through this. Every week in the summer I drove past Rexall in Edmonton for soccer practice and I remained myself why I am travelling all over and running on good or bad ground because I want to be in there competing in November. Overall coming back into Edmonton each week made me reset my main goal.
What was your favorite rodeo this year and why?
My favorite rodeo this year would have to be Innisfail because it is my home town rodeo and I get to spend time with family and friends.
How do you stay healthy on the road? Do you exercise or just eat as healthy as you can?
I try to eat healthy but that usually only lasts the first day! But I did have to stay in good shape this summer for soccer. On long road trip I would pack my running shoes and do mile training which is basically running a mile in a certain amount of mins and then doing 4 reps. On the North run is was really nice I got to do my training right beside the Peace River which was a beautiful view. Overall I did most of my training in the week though.
Riding a seasoned barrel horse, what exercises do you do for tune-ups on the pattern?
Flame is a very hard horse to tune up on because he is very hot when working barrels. For him we just do everything at a walk and keep him as happy as possible. Happy Flame, Happy life. Basically I just walk him around the pattern with a buddy horse just making sure our turns our tight and staying on a straight line. If the pattern is angled then I make sure I get a chance to ride him in the arena before the rodeo to just remind him of the set up, since he has a harder time with his first barrel on angle patterns. Also he is 12 now, I’ve came to the conclusion that there are some arenas he loves and others he really dislikes. On that note, next year I’m considering running him at the rodeos he loves since he never seems to do good at the ones he dislikes.
Regarding legging a horse up, what is your routine?
I do lots of long trotting in the field, which he is extremely fast at. I swear he would make a great trotter on the race track if he wouldn’t be scared of the cart! Another factor is taking him to Coulee Equine where they swim him and back him up on the treadmill and also put him in the walker where he pushes the gate in front of him to go faster. I try to ride him in the field as much as possible to keep his mind off barrels though. Flame always keeps himself in pretty good shape since half the time he’s running in his pasture worried about his buddy horse being taken away from him. He loves working out!
We all know that being competitive takes mental strength. What do you do to keep a sharp mental edge in the game of rodeo?
My Dad Duane helps me with the mental part of the game. During his rodeo career he has been in very pressuring moments and has done very well through it all. I honestly like pressure because I think it makes me compete better. To keep my nerves down I just breath and refocus and remember how lucky I am to be on this horse and how far we have came as a team. My main go to is having fun and enjoying every second of competing at this top level because life can change in a second.
Who is your barrel racing idol?
My barrel racing idol is Lindsay Sears because she is a Canadian that has won 2 world titles. To win 1 world tittle is hard enough but to win 2 and be Canadian is very tough to do and I give her all the credit in the world to do that and represent Canada.
