Jade Kenney CFR 2022
Canyon, Texas cowgirl, Jade Kenney spent the summer in Canada and managed to cash in $13,575.51 at 27 rodeos, sending her to her first Canadian Finals Rodeo in fifth position.
This year, Kenney won Innisfail Pro Rodeo and Merrit Pro Rodeo. She finished second at Grande Prairie and Lea Park, and placed consistently at eleven other rodeos.
What is your background with horses? How did you get started roping?
My dad grew up on a ranch and my mom grew up around the race tracks and feedlots. We have always had horses and I’ve always been around the cowboy lifestyle. Right around my sixth grade year of school my cousin, Brittany Stewart, gave me my sorrel gelding (Q) which made me fall in love with breakaway roping. He took me to four national events all from different state (2x Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico), the American and so many more accomplishments I will forever be thankful for. My dad was primarily a saddle bronc rider or that was what he was most passionate about but he has helped me the most with my horsemanship and roping.
What is your main mount’s registered name, bloodlines, and does he have any quirks?
Monday is my main mount right now. He is the little bay horse with a buzzed mane. He is out of a Dual Rey Mare and by Bobs Hickory Rio, so he is straight cow bred. I don’t know if I would call Monday quirky, but I would call him consistent just because he consistently gets humpy every time you through a saddle on. Monday has a lot of personality and some things you just have to look past because he for sure wants to be the boss.
What is your horse’s story?
My great grandad loved the cutting world, and owned Bob Hickory Rio when Boyd Rice won the NCHA open in 2005 with Bob. Monday has a pretty big sentimental value to my family because of his breeding and that he is a son of Bobs Hickory Rio. Our good friends, Skipp and Elaine Jones, bred their mare to Bob and raised Monday. I brought Monday from them my sophomore year of high school. Monday was a big challenge for me. For how little he is, he can be a lot of horse to handle at times. When my dad and I start him on calves we worked on a lot of slow and consitent things. Monday likes to do things fast. My dad definitely knew Monday would be special before I did, and encouraged me many times with keep going with Monday. I’m pretty thankful because Monday is a solid horse for me now.
What is your go to saddle, pad, and bit on your main mount?
My go to saddle right now is a Terry Henson, my pad is a CSI saddle pad.
What do you do to keep a sharp mental edge in the game of rodeo? How do you stay motivated throughout the season?
I try to have a consistent diet when I am on the road. Being consistent with my habits and routines helps me with my mental game. I think staying motivated comes with wanting to do good and win. Win, lose or draw if you aren’t motivated enough to get in the rig and drive to the next one its you should probably think about going home. i do get that there’s always going to be hard times but the hard times make us better and the good times remind us why we love what we do.
What does your feed program consist of, and how do you keep your horses in shape? What is your riding routine usually like?
I am a really big fan of the High Pro Alfalfa Pro Pellets and my MVP exceed 6 way and gastroplex pellets and paste. MVP products are in each my horses feed program I and for sure tell a difference in my horse when using my MVP.
What is the best advice you’ve been given regarding life, rodeo, horses, or roping?
Hustle and have fun. Rodeo is something that we are so lucky we get to do. It does not define who we are and its not what I am. I am so thankful that I have the opportunities to travel and do what I love with the people I love. The amount of friendship I have made through rodeo and the cowboy lifestyle is something most people will never have. I absolutely love rodeo and wouldn’t change any of my memories for anything!
Who was your travel partner this year, and what is your favourite thing about your travel partner?
I traveled with Kendal Pierson this year and wouldn’t have been able to do it without her! Kendal is such an awesome person and we worked really well together no matter what we did at the rodeo we didn’t dwell on anything. Kendal and the whole Pierson family (which is pretty big) has been a big blessing to my life!
What does it mean to you to have the Breakaway Roping at the CFR?
I think its a really cool factor to be one of the first American girls to qualify to the CFR in the breakaway roping. Its only the beginning for breakaway ropers but it been a really cool experience to see all of the Canadian girls work hard, encourage one another and just be part of what the CPRA had to offer.
“I would love to thank my amazing parents, Jim Blain and Beth Kenney, for everything y’all have pushed me to do and all of yalls hard work to help me be successful. The Pierson Family for treating me like their own and allowing me to be part of their chaos. As well as my sponsors Panhandle Leather Company, Resist Hat, MVP and CSI Saddle Pads.”
