Brooke Wills CFR 2021
Covy Moore Photo
In fifth position with $9,402.38 won, is the reigning Canadian Barrel Racing Champion, Brooke Wills and Fames To Blame aka Famey. Together they won Hanna, and placed at Dawson Creek, Cranbrook, Stavely, Okotoks, Regina, Innisfail, Taber, Coronation and High River.
Brooke and Famey returned to Canada in August as they were South of the border travelling with 5X WNFR Qualifier, Ivy Saebens. They had missed some of the large paying rodeos, but together the 2019 Champions pulled through and made it count everywhere they went.
Brooke says that Famey (by Lions Share Of Fame out of SX Frenchmans Peach), is full of quirks. “She bites when she doesn’t like something. She yawns almost every time you bridle her. No dog is safe around Famey. And most recently this year, she decided she will only eat her grain if it’s wet and looks more like soup.”
What is your background with horses and how did you get started barrel racing?
My background with horses comes from my Dads side of the family. They were ranchers and my Dad cowboyed. I was on a horse from the time I was 2. I started doing gymkhanas and Little Britches rodeos and then moved into the Peewees at our amateur rodeos in British Columbia. I was very fortunate to have some amazing horses growing up.
What is your go to saddle, pad and bit on your main mount? What do you like about them?
I ride in a Woodys saddle. My pad of choice is the Professional Choice Cowboy felt Air Ride saddle pad with the merino wool bottom. I love how this pad fits Famey, as well as my other horses. It never moves and holds good shape and is the perfect thickness. Famey runs in the Kerry Kelly Bogie bit with a twisted wire dog bone mouthpiece and a loose chin strap.
What is your horses story?
Ivy Saebens reached out to me and wanted to know if I was interested in Famey or knew someone who would be. My family knew it would be too good of an opportunity to pass up so we purchased her and brought her up to Canada in August of 2018. She was already amazing when I got her but I knew it was really going to click for her and I after we won all 4 rounds at the BCRA finals in September of 2018. I was very fortunate to not have any ups and downs with Famey. She’s super solid and knows her job and tries every single time. We made our first CFR the following year in 2019 and walked away being the Canadian Champion. She is everything I would want in a horse.
What do you do to keep a sharp mental edge in the game of rodeo? How do you stay motivated throughout the season?
I’m very lucky that I don’t ever get too nervous before I run and I trust my horse a lot. And there’s always another rodeo, so learn from your past run and move on. I’m also lucky to have a very supportive family and fiancé that always encourages me to chase my goals.
What does your feed program look like, keeping your horses in peak condition going down the road and even in the off season?
Renew Gold Senior, Platinum Performance, One a Day from Sharpedge and CEP Daily Lung is what you can find in Fameys bucket throughout the entire year. Along with a good alfalfa/grass mix hay that my family cuts themselves in Kamloops. Famey is a huge eater and drinker so that helps a lot with all the miles she makes in the trailer.
What do you do to condition your horses leading up to the season, and what does your pre CFR routine consist of?
My sisters and I own a little place in Maricopa, Arizona so normally I go South in January and ride every day and go to the rodeos down there so Famey is never really sitting for that long and stays in shape. I think it’s important for them to have a little time off but nothing too long so they’re not getting too fat sitting in a pen or turned out. My pre CFR routine will consist of more rides out in pasture with long trotting and some sprints. (Famey is pretty strong to ride so the sprints aren’t necessarily my idea, haha)
What is the best advice you’ve been given regarding life, rodeo, horses or barrel racing?
I think Sherry Cervi said it best~ “ Horses are like a pack of cigarettes, one day you’re going to run out of runs. You better enjoy it while it lasts”
I truly cherish every run I get to make on Famey and I try to be a bit selective on where I run her.
What has been your most memorable run over the years, and what made it memorable for you?
My most memorable run would have to be winning my first round at the CFR in round four. It got the ball rolling and we finished strong every round after that and made my dreams come true. It opened a lot of doors.
What is your favourite barrel racing bloodline, and what do you look for in a prospect?
I haven’t got a chance to ride one yet but I think the Goodbye Lanes and Blazing Jet O Lenas are winners. I also think mare power is huge. A kind eye and if there was a way to measure heart, then I would use that to pick out my next prospect.
What is the one thing you cannot live without on the road?
I can’t live without any sort of breakfast food. I get low blood sugar if I don’t eat, so my trailer usually needs to have some sort of breakfast food and I love tea. You can usually always find that in my trailer.
What is your favourite Canadian rodeo, and why?
Ponoka has this amazing atmosphere to it. The size of the arena and grandstands give off this energy that just makes you excited.
Which of the other CFR Qualifiers horses would you swing a leg over if given the chance?
I would swing a leg over Blondy. She’s a special mare.
Who has been your barrel racing/rodeo mentor and what is something they’ve taught you?
My dad taught me a lot growing up. He’s the one who got me started on nice, safe horses and that helped me be a confident rider. I also think people like Lisa Lockhart, Hailey Kinsel, Sherry Cervi and Ivy Saebens, have taught a lot of people about having longevity in the sport and what it takes to keep your horse at the top level for so many years.
What was it like to get to travel with Ivy Saebens when you were rodeoing south of the border this year?
It was lots of fun to get to travel with Ivy. I got to meet some pretty amazing people thanks to her. It was helpful to travel with someone who’s been down the road a lot and knows where to go and stay. To get to tie your horse next to J Lo is pretty special. She also has the best travelling dog and a huge variety of music so we never ran out of something to listen to.
What are your goals for 2022?
My goals for 2022 are to start the year off strong and get back to another CFR. I’d also love to get to run at Calgary.
Canada lost rodeo last year. What did you do with your time off, and what does it mean to you to have rodeo come back and to now be headed to finals.
In 2020 I was lucky at the start to get to compete at San Antonio and Fort Worth and the American semi finals. Once Covid broke out I went back to Kamloops and worked for my Dads company. I did get to go down to Colorado for the Ram National Circuit Finals so I was lucky I was actually able to make some runs on Famey. But with so much down time, the year felt like a waste. Horses got another year older and coming off such a huge win in 2019, it was sad that I didn’t get to showcase Famey as I had planned. So I am extremely grateful for the rodeo committees that put on rodeos this year. And everyone who helps put on the CFR, i couldn’t be more excited to be heading back to Red Deer.
Thank you to my sponsors, Sharpedge Supplements, Tim Cooper Custom Hats at Cowboys Choice, Cor Vet, XLR8 Canada, as well as Coulee Equine for always taking great care of Famey. And the biggest hug to my family and my Fiancé, Lane. You’re the best!
