Jessi Everett - CFR50
Tarzan, Texas cowgirl, Jessi Everett has qualified for her first Canadian Finals Rodeo, in her first year competing in the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association. She finished ninth in the regular season standings with $14,416.77, after entering 29 rodeos. Everett won Leduc, Wainwright, Fort McLeod, Williams Lake, and split the win at High Prairie and Bonnyville! She will be headed to Edmonton with her horses Bacardi, and Lady 8 Special (Sauce).
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What is it that makes your horse so special to you?
Both of my mares have grown up a lot with me this summer. I have such a bond with them after this year.
What has been your most memorable run in 2024, and what made it memorable for you?
My most memorable run was my second run at Calgary. I had missed my first calf and was really down on myself. I was in a weird in-between stage of not knowing if I really belonged at the pro ranks, and then I had an amazing second run. It is really what gave me my second wind this summer.
What was different about your rodeo season this year compared to last year or other seasons?
I was in Canada! I have been going to the same stuff since I was in Jr. High, so stepping out and getting a whole new experience without my family close by was really different.
Did you face any challenges this season? Tell us about them.
Oh boy. From breaking down MULTIPLE times, throwing my sucker in the dirt, dealing with crippled horses, and navigating a whole new country, I feel safe in saying that this whole season was a challenge! I think that is why it was so worth it in the end. I have learned so much from this summer, and even though lots of things went wrong, so so many things went RIGHT in spite of it!
Tell the readers something good that happened to you this season, other than placing at, or winning a rodeo.
I met so many amazing people this summer. Many of them will be lifelong friends. Whether I would have made the finals or not, the people I met would have been worth this whole experience.
Who is your traveling partner, and what do you enjoy most about traveling with them.
I had two traveling partners this year, and both were AWESOME!
I started off the summer hauling/ living with Jessie Armstrong. I helped out on the feedlot where they lived and genuinely worked harder than I ever have in my life. I gained so much respect for her and her family. She was one of the only people I knew when I came to Canada and she showed me the ropes and really took me under her wing. I would not have been able to come north at all if it weren’t for her. Not many people would take in a wide-eyed, stray college kid, but the Armstrong’s did it with open arms, and I am so grateful to them for that.
About halfway through the summer I had been going to the states to rodeo down there some two, and I started hauling with Macy Auclair when I got back to Canada. I didn’t know her before I came up here and I am SO THANKFUL I met her. Aside from her drive, this girl truly pushed me to be my best every single day I was with her. Her faith and optimism are something I absolutely admire! We really came into eachothers lives at the perfect time. I needed her and she needed me. It was truly a God thing.
What is the best advice you’d give to readers, about horses and or competing?
The two things that have been my motto this summer are #ropebetter and “rent is due”.
There are very few problems in my life that simply roping better wouldn’t fix.
When saying “rent is due”, we aren’t talking about literal rent. Success isn’t ever bought. It is rented, and the rent is due every day. Success isn’t earned in one big practice session. It is every day of doing SOMETHING to earn your spot at the winner’s table.
Favourite Canadian rodeo this year, and why?
My favorite rodeo was Armstrong! I didn’t even do good at that rodeo, but it was such a fun environment that I would love to go back one day. It was also the weekend I said bye to everyone before I came home, so it was bittersweet.
Which of the other CFR Qualifiers horses would you swing a leg over if given the chance and why?
Macy Auclair’s Pistol!!! I have gotten to watch that horse a lot and I think our styles would line up great.
What can you or your horse not live without on the road?
My horses LOVE the Kickstart probiotic and electrolytes from Winner’s Edge! They all get excited when they see me pull out a tube, and its the only thing that they don’t pitch a fit about me giving them!
As for me, I am a Diet Coke fiend. I really tried to get off the energy drinks this summer, so I replaced one vice with another.
Mental game; how do you stay mentally strong in the rodeo game, with many ups and downs?
I have a mental coach that I started meeting with this summer. He has completely changed my perspective of competition. I was really not doing good on my mental toughness so this was something that gave me a turn around. Other than that, I have also really been leaning in to my faith. So much has helped me do that this summer, so I would be crazy to say that leaning on Christ didn’t help me more than anything.
Do you have plans of heading south this winter? If so, what does this look like for you, where do you plan on entering?
I’m from Texas, so of course! I am going to school at Texas Tech University and competing for the rodeo team there. I am really focusing on making the college finals in the coming months to represent my team on a national stage.
Do you have any up and coming prospects, and or, what do you look for in a prospect that you could share a little about with readers?
When I am looking at a prospect the one thing I look for is their ability to handle pressure. I’m pretty hot headed myself (which I am working on), but I need something that is eventually going to handle the big stages well.
What was one thing a committee did this year that you appreciated the most?
Anywhere that still provides hospitality for the contestants is going to be one of my favorites. We notice and appreciate it more than they will ever know
Who is your inspiration or mentor and why?
Other than my parents (who put up with more from me than anyone should ever have to deal with) Joe beaver has been an instrumental mentor for me. From the time I was little, he has supported and always had high expectations for me. Not only that but he is always in my corner and cheering me on. I was so happy the first time I saw him and Jenna in Canada. His support and words throughout the season were the difference in me making or not making the finals. Being in a part of the world where no one knows you, it was so nice to have someone that I knew was on my team no matter what.
What is your advice for someone who wants to take a shot at making the Canadian Finals Rodeo?
GO! There was no logical reason for me to come to Canada this summer. I wanted something different, and I just went. There really wasn’t much of a plan. Make friends, be a friend, and just enter the rodeo.
I would like to thank my Parents for their unwavering support this year. Aside from that, I would like to thank the Beaver Family, the Armstrong Family, and the Auclair family for all taking care of me and treating me like their own. Also thank you to my sponsors who help ensure my success.
