Caitlyn Dahm 2023 CFR

Caitlyn Dahm is headed to her second Canadian Finals Rodeo, in the number twelve spot, with a $10,668.72 in her pocket. This year, the Spring Hill, Kansas cowgirl won High River, Williams Lake, Merritt, and Coronation and is looking forward to making the trip to Red Deer, Alberta for the finals.

What is your background with horses? How did you get started roping? 
Goodness, I was so lucky growing up! My mom ran barrels and my dad roped steers. I learned to rope from my dad. We would team rope every summer night and haul steers to an indoor in the winter. I continued my education with my horsemanship and calf roping with Roy Durfey. He allowed me to work for him in the summers while I was in college. 

What is your main mounts reg name, bloodlines and does he/she have any quirks? 
This summer I rode Gummy at 75% of the rodeos. His Reg name is Gum E Bear  He is full of quirks, he will untie himself, open gates, let other horses out of the pasture, and so much more. He really is a big goof. 

However, later in the year- Zeke and Jayne Thurston allowed Chelsea Moore and I to ride their great horse “Gold Peppys Hickory” aka Harley! He is 20 this year. I only rode him at 6 rodeos this year, and I wouldn’t have made the CFR this year without him. He’s a sweetheart, and has been everywhere! I will be riding him at the finals as he is so reliable and will go do his job every time. I am so thankful for the Thurston’s and their little red horse.

What is your horses story? 
Originally Roy Durfey and I purchased Gummy from Randi Holliday as a 3 year old. They had started him on the heel side and tracking the breakaway sled. Right before heading to Canada, Renea Bolling bought him from Roy and I. Thankfully, she allowed me to buy him back. I adored this horse! He had only been to 3 jackpots before his first rodeo where he pulled a check. He stepped up for me in a big way this summer. Going on to win High River and Williams Lake even though I had to start loping him an hour before the rodeo started!  The rodeos I didn’t place on him, he still gave me an opportunity. I am excited for his future. 

What is your go to saddle, pad and bit on your main mount? What do you like about them? 
I ride an old Allen Ranch calf roping saddle, and I prefer a 5 Star pad. I use a hinge square port made by Tristan Mahoney. 

What do you do to keep a sharp mental edge in the game of rodeo? How do you stay motivated throughout the season?
What helped me the most this rodeo season, was just realizing how grateful I was to be entering the rodeos on sound horses, safe rigs, and being surrounded by great people. I used to obsess over motivational books and podcasts (and I still enjoy them!) but if you put in the work and take care of your equine partners, the cards will play how they’re meant to be played!  

I find if you truly crave it, it’s not hard to stay motivated. 

Although- I am thankful for Bailey Hines this summer; I told her I was going to hang it up for the season before the Armstrong/Merritt run, as my goals were to season a horse, and I felt like I was accomplishing that but not putting it on the neck. She said don’t go home until after Merritt it’ll turn around. So I grabbed 20 year old Harley, and we were able to turn it around at Merritt. Thanks Bailey. 

Did you face any challenges this season? Tell us about them.
Absolutely! I am so thankful that Macy Auclair had let me ride her great horse in Falkland, BC 

I realized just how much work my horsemanship needed! That little mare in one run, taught me more about hand placement running to cattle than any other horse I had swung a leg over! Since that day, every practice we try to work on me riding my horses better out of the corner. It’s getting better, but I still have a long ways to go! 

Thank you Macy, this is something that will make me a better horseman and competitor! 

Tell the readers something good that happened to you this season, other than placing at, or winning a rodeo.
Well, it has nothing to do with rodeo, but I married my best friend this year! There will be no rodeo that will ever top that! 

What is the best advice you’d give to readers, about horses, competing or life?
This life is precious and it’s short! Give thanks, and work hard the rest will take care of itself. 

What has been your most memorable run over the years, and what made it memorable for you?
Honestly, probably this year at Merritt. It was the first pro rodeo that my Husband (Dawson Dahm) and I have won our event (he’s a bronc rider), the same day, at the same rodeo and we got to celebrate with awesome friends. 

Who is your travelling partner, and what do you enjoy most about travelling with them?
This year I traveled with Chelsea Moore and Cati McArthur! They both will put in drive time, are a lot fun and take great care of their horses. 

Which of the other CFR Qualifiers horses would you swing a leg over if given the chance and why?
Shleby’s mare Onna, they don’t make them much better than that. Scores, runs, stops, rates, and is pretty to top it off! 

What products can you or your horse not live without on the road?
Not that it’s really a product, but I am so thankful for my in-laws! They put up the best quality Alfalfa and oats. My horses look slick and shiny all summer and it’s all thanks to them! 

I also couldn’t travel without my dog, Frog. He’s pretty awesome. 

Thank you to my husband for keeping my horses shod, opening the chute, sorting mean longhorns, and being my number one supporter. 

Thank you to Joe and Sandra Dahm for allowing us to be gone every weekend of the summer, taking care of the horses that are home, feeding the highest quality feed to our animals, and be supportive of our dreams! 

Thank you to Brandy Rimmer at Westhills Equine Veterinary Services for keeping my horses feeling their best! 

Thank you to Heather and Alan Laird for their continuous support of the CPRA breakaway ropers and in me! 

Thank you to the committees who added us to your rodeos, we are so grateful! 

Thank you to Chelsea Moore, Shelbie Spielman, and Bryden Dahm for rides to the airport, keeping horses legged up, doctored, and fed while I’ve had to be gone. 

Thanks to my dad, Chad Wiswell, for multiple horses over the years, thousands of practice nights, and not allowing the word “can’t or quit” be apart of our family’s vocabulary. 

Thanks to my mom- for being supportive of our dreams no matter how out of reach they may seem. Thanks for always showing up in spirit or in person and always answering the phone on my 25 hour drives! 

Lastly- but should have been mentioned first, thank the Lord for this beautiful life I get to live! 

Gralyn J Photography