Jackie Ganter CFR 2016
Miss Jackie Ganter had an outstanding 2016 season both in the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association and in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association standings. In Canada, Ganter ran at 18 rodeos, taking home $23,402.78 winning Airdrie for $2,350, Teepee Creek for $2,444, Medicine Hat for $3,421.60 and High Prairie with $1,470.23 in her pocket. South of the border Ganter ran at 100 rodeos winning $116,386.69 throughout the year. $2281 at San Antonio 2nd Go, $2281 San Antonio 3rd Go, 3rd at the Calgary Stampede for $15,000, Cody Wyoming Champions Challenge winner taking home $3,944, and $4781 from Pueblo Colorado Champions Challenge.
This will be Ganter’s first Canadian Finals Rodeo & I have no doubt it will be a successful one with the horses she is bringing with her. Recent Release “R”by Light On Cash out of a Citation Bars mare, Cartels Fame “Cartel” by Dash Ta Fame out of a Corona Cartel Mare, and Faminator by Dash Ta Fame and out of a Special Leader Mare.
What quirks do they have?
R is older but is definitely the baby in the group, he acts like a little kid but he is very fun to be around, he loves his job. Cartel is a little less personable, he’s about getting the job done. Faminator is my young horse but he has taken a loving to the rodeos, the crowd, fireworks, acts, etc. he loves it all.
How would you describe their style?
R is incredibly fast and can wrap himself completely around a barrel, I have never ridden anything like him. Cartel is very stiff, he runs by his barrels then snaps back quickly. Faminator is a little bit of a mix, he goes into his barrels rounded and snaps back on the backside, Sue Smith trained him and I wish I had ten more just like him.
What keeps you hauling down the road to so many rodeos per year with all the hurdles you face throughout the year? What motivates you?
It can be very hard when you hit a slump to keep going. This year I was fortunate enough to get to take a young horse so when things weren’t going right at the rodeos I’d try to find a jackpot to go to on him to get my mind off of the high pressure and just go make a relaxed run.
Who is your barrel racing idol?Lisa Lockhart and Louie as a team.
What was your favourite CPRA and PRCA rodeo this year and why?
My favorite rodeo was definitely the Calgary Stampede. That rodeo is very limited so it was an honor to qualify for it then to advance to the final four was a dream come true.
How do you stay healthy on the road? Do you exercise or just eat as healthy as you can?
It’s very hard to eat correctly on the road, a lot of times the only place you can find to get into with the trailer is fast food restaurants or truck stops. I try to exercise to make up for sitting long hours in the truck.
Riding seasoned barrel horses, what exercises do you do for tune-ups on the pattern?It really depends on the horse for what specific exercises I do but generally I will set up one barrel in the middle of the arena and lope circles around it adjusting the circle to where it’s really big, then really small, or just a good average distance away from the barrel. It gets their mind off of the actual pattern but is still asking them to be correct in their job.
Regarding legging a horse up, what is your routine?
When I am home we definitely swim them in our pool but since that’s not an option on the road I just try to long trot, lope, and even walk for about an hour every day. I just try to get them out of their stall and let them move around.
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?I watch the world standings a lot, people tell you not to do that because it can make you get down on yourself but I think it does the opposite for me. It was a goal of mine to stay in the top five of the standings for the duration of the season this year and anytime I felt like someone was within reach of catching me it would spark a fire to try harder and be better.
What advice would you give someone wanting to chase the NFR dream?
The best advice anyone can give you if you want to make the NFR is to never give up. That sounds so cliché but it is so valuable to have that phrase in your head when things get hard.
