Brittany Schuk CFR 2022
Off to Red Deer in twelfth position is Brittany Schuk. She pocketed $8,725.92 after 34 rodeos, and is on her way to her very first Canadian Finals Rodeo. This year, Shuk placed at Innisfail, Wainwright, Williams Lake, Kennedy, Medicine Hat, High Prairie, and Hanna Pro Rodeo.
What is your background with horses? How did you get started roping?
I was raised on a ranch west of Williams Lake B.C. and have been riding horses for as long as I can remember. My family raised our own ranch horses, that we used on ranch year round and took to the CRA/BCRA rodeos in the summer time.
My grandpa gave me a rope when I was five or six years old and it went with me every where roping stumps, ground dummies and got to rope one calf at branding. When I was ten, my parents bought a older heading, barrels, breakaway roping mare for my older sister and I to learn to rope on. And the rest is history...
What is your main mounts registered name, bloodlines, and does she have any quirks?
Main mount is LBJ Black Magic (Magic), she is a Fast Moon Chic granddaughter, Magic is not a quirky horse and gives 110% when you ask for 100%.My second mount DLM Pistolena Doc (Biscuit), he goes back to Peppy San, Biscuit can be cold backed and is a tough little horse with an edge.
What is your horses story?
I bought Magic from my neighbor Duncan MacMillan as a started three year old. My younger sister was working for Duncan that summer starting his colts for the fall horse sale and I liked her from when I first saw her. I really liked her after I found out she was full sister to my older sister's gelding we had started the year before. Magic has always had a neat feel to her so I had no doubt that she would be great. Biscuit my other sister picked him up for me out of an auction in Turtleford, Saskatchewan for a heel horse prospect. He was last horse in the sale and went cheap. There was a reason for that, so I sent him home to BC to learn how to be working horse for a year, then brought him back and started roping on him.
What is your go to saddle, pad, and bit on your main mount?
I typically use a Martin Roping saddle, five star pad, and a Mike Beers Chain or Short Shank three Piece.
What do you do to keep a sharp mental edge in the game of rodeo? How do you stay motivated throughout the season?
Remember the good runs, learn from the less than ideal runs and look forward to the next opportunity. Roping is challenging and the opportunity for making the run that feels amazing keeps me going throughout the season.
What does your feed program consist of, and how do you keep your horses in shape? What is your riding routine usually like?
Spend the money on good feed and minerals for the winter, my horses run on large pasture to allow them to exercise at their leisure and ride as much as time permits.
What is the best advice you’ve been given regarding life, rodeo, horses, or roping?
Keep it simple, remember why you rope, believe in your horses so they can believe in you, roping is position, angle and timing.
What has been your most memorable run over the years, and what made it memorable for you?
Well this is a tough one to answer, it is hard to pick just one; so the one I will talk about is 2021 at Sundre AB.
Saturday afternoon performance, there was standing room only, the crowd was so enthralled in the arena action that you knew what had happened without watching. If I remember right, I was fourth breakaway roper out, the breakaway roper just before me put together a really nice run and a tough time. I was next out and matched her time to split the win.
What made it memorable was the challenges that had to be overcame to get there to be able to rope. My sister, her boyfriend and I were travelling south in two separate rigs so she could go to one rodeo and I could go to Sundre and High River then meet back up with her. I had worked night shift and was sleeping in back seat when a high pressure fuel line went in one of the pickups by Lacombe, we got the pickup to a good spot and had to make some decisions. Thankfully I was able to call a friend who came and hook onto my sisters rig and got her to her rodeo so I could continue on to Sundre. As I think back on that run, it humbles me as it was the support of family, friends and a good horse that made that run possible.
Who was your travel partner this year, and what was your favourite moment together this year, or what is your favourite thing about your travel partner?
My travelling partners for the year was Jennifer Schuk, Quincy Squair, Mackenzie Loren, Ashley Gunsch, Natalie Atwood and Tracy Aipperspach. Great memories were made and a lot of fun was had with each of my travelling partners this year. I have travelled a lot of years with my sisters which great and we have our system. Having the opportunity to haul with my other travelling partners was a great learning experience and opportunity to learn others ladies travelling system/preferences.
What does it mean to you to have the Breakaway Roping at the CFR?
Having Breakaway Roping at the CFR is a amazing opportunity for lady ropers to be able to rope on a big stage without having to go south. The amount of talented ladies entered in Breakaway roping this year was outstanding.
“I would like to thank all of the rodeo committees that added Ladies Breakaway Roping this year. Thank you for your hard work and thank you for giving us a place to go and compete.
I would also like to thank my sisters for all their help getting my horses and me to the rodeos around my work schedule.”
