Jenna Dallyn CFR 2022
Jenna Dallyn is off and running to her second Canadian Finals Rodeo with $13,964.43 in her jeans after 32 rodeos this year. She won Brooks, Rocky Mountain House, Bowden, and Millarville to boost her to fourth position heading into the finals.
What is your background with horses and how did you get started roping?
I grew up in the lifestyle with my mom and dad both competing in rodeo. My dad is a team roper and my mom was a barrel racer, so I started roping and riding at a young age. I heeled my first steer when I was 9 yrs old and mainly team roped. When I got into junior high rodeo I started getting into breakaway roping as well.
What is your main mount’s registered name, bloodlines, and does he have any quirks?
His registered name is WS Smart Date, and he is a grandson of High Brow Cat on the top and has Smart Peppy Date on the bottom. He has always been good at taking care of business at rodeos, but definitely a little watchy on the ground. We are not sure of fireworks and strollers yet!
What is your horse’s story?
I bought Kat as a 5 yr old from Lakota Bird right before I headed to my first year of college. I watched her breakaway, heel and goat tie off him at a young age, so we had to inquire about him. He was the first real calf horse I have ever roped off and the first night I tried him I had an outstanding practice and knew I had to buy him. He was raised and trained by Carl Gerwin who is a cutter in Nanton and did a great job. I knew very little about the logistics of breakaway and how to keep a horse working when I bought him, I mainly just knew how to swing a rope so he is definitely the horse that got me to where I am today!
What is your go to saddle, pad, and bit on your main mount?
I have rode in a Teskey’s Patrick Smith rope saddle for the last couple years and it has fit all my horses really well. I use a Zone fleece saddle pad by Classic Equine, and I have mainly rode Kat in a Myler bit this year. The Myler has worked for me because its solid enough I can hold my horse in the corner with even pressure in his mouth but the port is not too harsh since Kat is pretty light.
What do you do to keep a sharp mental edge in the game of rodeo? How do you stay motivated throughout the season?
I like to listen to podcasts and read books. I love to listen or read about successful people in rodeo or not, I am always very curious on how people get to where they want to be. I also have a few favourite mental game books. I recently finished, With Winning in Mind by Larry Bassham, and it was really good. Staying motivated was not too hard this year just because it was a dream to have the opportunity to go to all these rodeos and compete, but also the roping was very tough this year and it kept me wanting to go practice everyday during the week just because you had to be on your A game every weekend.
What does your feed program consist of, and how do you keep your horses in shape? What is your riding routine usually like?
I feed alfalfa hay morning and night and a scoop of Hoffmans Maintenance in the morning. I rode my good one 3-4 days a week depending on how many days I was home. My practices mainly consisted of scoring and keeping it easy on my horse. I would only make 1-3 rodeo runs on him each week and maybe free him up the day before the rodeo. The main thing was keeping him doing his job and with that I knew I would have a lot of confidence riding him at the rodeo.
What is the best advice you’ve been given regarding life, rodeo, horses or roping?
I remember one time I was team roping at Kolton Schmidt’s place in Texas and I was struggling with my heeling and I told him it just feels hard, I don’t know why it all feels like a struggle today. And he told me you are never going to get to a place where it feels easy all the time, no matter what level you are at. And that always stuck with me for some reason. I see other people rope and think, wow they make it look really easy all the time, but I have learned it’s just an illusion. So I always try to have a plan for practice and work on something, but when it feels off or like a struggle I try not to get caught up in it and move forward. That is just part of the game.
What has been your most memorable run over the years, and what made it memorable for you?
Probably this spring I was a 2.1 in the short go at the WCRA Women’s Finals against some of the best breakaway ropers going. I ended up third place and it was the biggest cheque I have ever received at a rodeo. (Editor note: The cheque was for $15,000).
Who was your travel partner this year, and what is your favourite thing about your travel partner?
I travelled with a number of really good people but Shaya Beiver and I travelled the most together. We used to team rope together in high school rodeo and made Canadians and Provincials together a few times. It's kinda funny now we would never have thought we would be travelling together to the pro rodeos to Breakaway.
What does it mean to you to have the Breakaway Roping at the CFR?
It's so special to have the opportunity to rope at the Finals and it has opened so many doors for girl ropers in Canada. Last year they included us in the grand entry to introduce Breakaway Roping and I just remember my legs shaking. I have watched the grand entry and so many CFR perfs that it felt unreal to be in the middle of it. I am very thankful to be part of this group of girls that is growing the sport and setting the foundation for a bright future.
“I would like to thank my sponsors Classic Ropes and Rattler Ropes. Ken. Billie, and Paden Bray have all helped me one way or another while I went to school in Texas and it is special that they would recognize me to represent their brand. They also are one of our sponsors for the Breakaway Roping at the CFR and Circuit Finals so we really appreciate them for that!
I would also like to thank my family and friends for all the support this season. My mom ran the chute more nights than anybody and would help me get through my practices before the sun went down. My dad was always there for rodeo advice since I rarely knew where I was going or what to expect. Their support along with the rest of my family and friends means a lot and that's what makes this sport pretty cool to be part of.”
