Justine Elliott - CFR 2023
The 2021 CPRA Barrel Racing Champion, Justine Elliot is back for her 5th Canadian Finals Rodeo appearance on her great mare, Blondy, aka Blondys Starlight (by Von Starlight, out of a Small Town Baker mare.
This year the duo won Brooks Pro Rodeo, and the long go at Wainwright. They placed at 17 other rodeos, and brought home $26,111.46 in the 2023 season.
What has been your most memorable run this year, and what made it memorable for you?
My most memorable run this year would have to be my run from Ponoka long go run. This was the first year I was able to make it back to the top 12. I've run at Ponoka four times and just seemed to be stuck in a rut in that arena. I finally broke the curse there this year.
What was different about your rodeo season this year compared to last year or other seasons?
This year, I ran a few of my other horses at a couple of rodeos so I could get some seasoning runs in on them. For the last few years, I’ve mostly run Blondy at the majority of the rodeos, but this year I decided to run a few of my other horses. Though sometimes it was challenging, it was fun to get a few runs in on my other horses at some rodeos.
Did you face any challenges this season? Tell us about them.
This year, I had a lot of ups and downs. My year started out great and then I just seemed to go into a downward spiral after that my year was very up and down. It was difficult not to be hard on myself during the the downs, but I did all I could do and keep going. I did my best to not let anything get to me, no matter the circumstances, and just keep pushing on and just keeping positive.
Tell the readers something good that happened to you this season, other than placing at, or winning a rodeo.
Something good that happened this season would be that I spent a lot more time doing things with friends and family. I took the time to enjoy the simple things in life for the first time in awhile.
Who is your travelling partner, and what do you enjoy most about travelling with them?
My travelling partner is my Dad. What I enjoy most about travelling with my dad would have to be that if I need help with anything or any advice (even though I might not always like what he’s telling me) he’s right there.
What is the best advice you’d give to readers, about horses and or competing?
The best advice I would give would be to appreciate your horse no matter what. They don’t know what's on the line when they run down that alley but they do it for you. You’re a partner with your horse, keep them feeling their best you can perform your best together.
Favourite Canadian rodeo this year, and why?
My favourite rodeo is Armstrong, the atmosphere is crazy. Your adrenaline is crazy high just from how loud the crowd is, and everyone is so enthused by the rodeo. It’s such a thrill running through the alleyway into that arena.
Which of the other CFR Qualifiers horses would you swing a leg over if given the chance and why?
I would absolutely love to be able to swing a leg over Brooke Wills’ mare Famey, though I don’t think I would do her much justice. Brooke jockeys her so well! I would also love to ride Karli Cowies’s mare, Fling. That mare is an incredible athlete. Karli has done an amazing job with her!
What products can you or your horse not live without on the road?
When it comes to something I must have on the road are some good snacks, and a book. Whereas Blondy needs her Back On Track boots, XLR8 Blanket, Neutrabac, and her Flexineb. She’s my queen, so I have to treat her like it no matter where we are.
Mental game; what do you do to stay sharp, and shake the nerves of competing?
To keep my mental game sharp I try not to think about what happened in my past runs, especially if I’m in a slump. I think about what I need to do in this run and not what I did in my past run. I also only give myself 5 minutes after a bad run to be upset about it. tough runs happen sometimes there's no sense in being upset about something you you can’t change.
What is your coffee order?
I’m not much of a coffee drinker but when I do, its usually a caramel macchiato.
I would like to thank Alberta Veterinary Centre, Roger Lewis Equine Therapy, Weaver Leather, Flexineb, Calibre Equine Naturals, Jones Boys Western Store, Lucky Star Ranch, Jody Elliott Training Stables, and Neutrabac Canada for all the support all year!
Check out past interviews with Justine:
2022 CFR Interview
2021 CFR Interview
