Rene LeClercq CFR 2016
It was only a matter of time for our Number 4 barrel racer to make it to the Canadian Finals Rodeo. Holden, Alberta resident Rene LeClerq’s list of accomplishments is about as long as my arm. Working her way up from the amateur associations winning Junior and Ladies titles, winning the 2012/2013 Canadian College title, then moving up into the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association. The only thing stopping Rene from making it to her first C.F.R in 2015 was $2.00, and a missed entry to Grass Roots (Cinch) Pro Rodeo Finals.
This year Rene took home the title of Ponoka Stampede Barrel Racing Champion, which helped push her into the top of the standings, and for a while she held the number 1 position. After 39 rodeos and $22,375.76, LeClerq is bound and determined to take home the C.F.R Championship title. She will be bringing Preppies Sundowner & Flirt For A Diamond with her to Edmonton.
Do they have any quirks?
Flirt really dislikes loud noises and spooks very easy. She is a young soul.
How would you describe thier style?
Flit is very turny & stays more flat with a rollback style where as Flirt runs the same pattern every time and keeps her speed around the barrels.
What is the best piece of advice you were ever given regarding barrel racing?
“Never a failure always a lesson, & Go for broke and have fun.” Both told to me by my mom Corleen LeClerq.
With all the miles made, varying ground conditions, and expenses, what kept the CFR dream alive for you?
I have always dreamt about making it since I was a kid and that the big picture was to always get there come November.
What is one thing you can’t live without on the road?
Gusher Joints…. my travelling partner Kerilee and I love sugar… so we buy fruit roll ups and gushers and roll the gushers in the fruit roll ups.
Also anything horse related, I hate forgetting anything.
What is your exercise routine for getting your horses legged up?
When I’m first starting to get them legged up I long trot a lot until they are in their best shape. Once they are really fit I breeze them a bit and then make a couple runs before I head to rodeos.
Riding a seasoned barrel horse, what exercises do you do for tune-ups on the pattern?
I don’t work the pattern very often but I like to keep them round and driving through the turns. With Flit I focus on keeping my circles big and keeping her up and off of the barrel to keep her from shutting down too early. Flirt on the other hand just gets loped around the barrel until she cools down as she can get quite hot.
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?
Overthinking is what I try to avoid so I always like to keep positive and joke around before my run and keep my run off of my mind until I’m going down the alleyway so that I don’t second guess myself.
What is your go to product for keeping your horses feeling their best for the season?
I have a lot of products that keep my horses at their best and each horse has their own special treatment according to their needs.
I use my RevitaVet on everything, and all of my horses wear Back on Track, Soft Rides & their Hidez compression suits on the road.
Flit gets her supplements from Sharpe Edge, Excel EQ, Hoffmann Elite Ration and Glucosamine.
Flirt gets the same but I also feed her DeStress before her runs and I have found it to be very effective.
Cruella is my 6 year old that I won the second round of the Cinch Finals on and she is on the same as flit but she is also on a special feed for her hoof care & growth.
What do you do in the off season?
When I’m not rodeoing I am riding training horses, my colts & Hart Quarter Horses full time.
What qualities do you look for when looking to buy a young horse?
Personality is the biggest thing for me along with proper confirmation. I don’t do a lot of colt buying though.
Who is your barrel racing idol?
My mom, Corleen LeClercq has always been the biggest influence on my barrel racing career.
Will you be going south to rodeo at all for 2017?
I’m hoping to go but I’m taking it month by month and I will see how well the CFR goes and if I can afford to go down there, especially with the dollar.
