Lane Wills - CFR 2023

Lane Wills has qualified for another Canadian Finals Rodeo, after raking in $17,964.98. She was the Bonnyville Champion, and finished as reserve Champion at Williams Lake, and placed at numerous other rodeos throughout the season. She will be competing on her great horse Halston aka ASTREAKOFWOODBRIDGE, who is a 9yr old sorrel gelding by WOODBRIDGE and out of STREAKIN CC who is by STREAKIN LA JOLLA.

What is your main mounts back story?
Halston was bred by Billie Bird. He was started and then sent to Kirsty White in Alberta for additional training as a 3 year old. My sister Brett Wills and I were living at Kirsty’s for the summer. We didn’t know much about him other than he moved nice and was easy to be around, like his sibling “Easy” of Nicole (Pana) Hicks’ who was a fantastic mare. Brett and I just knew that we needed him and bought him from an online auction. I don’t think we realised how special he was until Brett did well at CBHI his futurity year and he won the 2019 Futurity Hi-Point horse of the year. Shortly after that, Halston severely cut his front foot in the Spring of 2020 and spent a couple months living at Cor Veterinary Clinic, in and out of casts. After that, my expectations were lowered and I was just happy to have a horse to still compete on. I think I still feel the same way a little bit today. I had an idea that he was capable of these great things, but you never really know for sure. Looking back, every experience in his life has shaped him into the special horse that he is today.

What quirks does your horse have, and what quirks would you say that you have?
Halston definitely has a few quirks. He becomes more and more spoiled as the years go on. He is absolutely in love with my sister’s horse Famey. He lacks confidence and gets scared very easily. He will scoot his butt and give you whiplash if you’re not hanging on. When he is relaxed, he is lazy to ride. He is a notorious water bucket dumper and loves to have his head out the trailer window when we drive. I guess my quirk would be that I am an identical triplet and I chronically chew my finger nails.

What has been your most memorable run this year, and what made it memorable for you?
My most memorable runs this year were at Bonnyville and Olds. They were both late night performances where I got to compete under the lights. Halston runs a lot faster in performances and those runs were so fast, smooth, and easy. It’s an incredible feeling!

What was different about your rodeo season this year compared to last year or other seasons?
This season was very similar to last season in the fact that I travelled with my sister from Dawson Creek, B.C. and continued to work full time.

Did you face any challenges this season? Tell us about them.
My goal at the start of the year was to give Halston the best care I possibly could. That meant driving 9+ hours to the farrier, timing vet appointments, missing rodeos after tweaked stifles, seeing massage, chiro, osteo after an injury to his neck, etc. Not to mention lots of flying back home to B.C. so I could be in the office for work on Monday morning. There’s pressure to fulfill goals and I struggled with my riding timing a lot this season. To sum it up, the whole season seems like one long challenge haha.

Tell the readers something good that happened to you this season, other than placing at, or winning a rodeo.
I went to Switzerland for 2 weeks in June and missed a few rodeos (Wainwright, Sundre, High River, Bassano, and Raymond). I am relieved that I was able to enjoy that trip and still accomplish my goal of qualifying for the CFR again.

Who is your travelling partner, and what do you enjoy most about travelling with them?
My sister Brooke Wills is my travelling partner. I don’t think there is anyone you could be more comfortable travelling with than your own sister. With the amount of miles we put on travelling back and forth to B.C., we have a good routine and know each other well. She has a lot of knowledge about rodeo and barrel racing.

What is the best advice you’d give to readers, about horses and or competing?
Love what you do.

Favourite Canadian rodeo this year, and why?
Olds aka Oldstober Fest. I had never been to that rodeo before. I think everyone has fun there and the energy is really great.

Which of the other CFR Qualifiers horses would you swing a leg over if given the chance and why?
I think Famey (of Brooke Wills) or Kaye (of Stacey Ruzika) would be really fun to run.

Who has been your barrel racing/rodeo mentor and what is something they’ve taught you?
I’ve been fortunate to ride around some great horsewomen from BC and Alberta. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my parents though. They have been my biggest supporters since day one and still are today. The entire family still watches every barrel run I send in the family group chat. (I think, haha.)

What products can you or your horse not live without on the road?
Halston would probably say his grain. He loves to nicker for his sloppy beet pulp every day.

Mental game; what do you do to stay sharp, and shake the nerves of competing?
I felt like I struggled more than usual this year with my mental game. One of the biggest helpers is just having confidence in yourself and your horse which then allows me to be more clear and present during my run. Time away at home with friends and family also helps me with the highs and lows of rodeo.

What is your coffee order?
I just started drinking coffee in the last 2 years. I am a Tim’s Hortons double double girl. I travelled with fellow CFR qualifier Mariah Mannering to Medicine Lodge and Cornation rodeos in September and she got me hooked on Starbucks’ Chai Tea Latte made half sweet with pumpkin creme foam.

I’d like to say a huge thank you to Cor Veterinary Services, TH Horseshoeing, Pro Earth Animal Health, David Edelmann and the rest of my family. They are an integral part of my journey to the 2023 CFR!