Ivy Conrado WNFR 2016
It is her second year running in the Womens Professional Rodeo Association, and Hudson, Colorado’s own Ivy Conrado is headed to the bright lights of Las Vegas for her first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
Conrado and CF Tibbie Stinson aka Tibbie ran at 57 rodeos taking home $111,160.11. The pair won $3,378.36 in Kennewick, GA ,$4,809.04 at Sheridan, WY, $3,944 in Spanish Fork, UT, $4,066 in Billings, MT, over $14,500 from Fort Worth, Texas, over $8900 in Denver, Colorado, and over $20,265 from San Antonio, Texas. During the Calgary Stampede, despite less than ideal conditions, she took home $16,300.
Tibbie is by Dash Ta Fame stud, Eddie Stinson and Little Fancy Granny, a mare out of Del Puerto Bill. Tibbie was trained and futuritied by Ivy’s Dad, Kelly Conrado, who won 7 Futurity titles on her. This year in Fort Worth, Texas the duo won RFD-TV’s The American Semi-Finals, taking home a check for $40,019.88!
What are your favorite bloodlines for barrel racing?
Dash Ta Fame, Eddie Stinson, Darkelly, JL Dash Ta Heaven, Shawne Bug, Pie in the Sky, Playgun, Flaming Jet, Firewater Flit & many more! I have also learned that anything that wins. Crossing horses that are proven in Equistat and LTE is important just because a horse has the big names on its papers does not make it a winner. Do your research, thoroughly. Good bone and good feet are becoming a lost art. Pay attention to length of horses pasterns; that plays into suspensory issues.
With all the miles made, varying ground conditions, and expenses, what kept the NFR dream alive for you?
It’s the NFR! The Super Bowl of rodeo, the best of the best. Your name goes down with a select group. As much as everyone wants to be down on rodeo, the National Finals is an epic event. No one can take that away from you. They payout definitely kept me hooked. I will say you get addicted to it. I’m ready for another season!
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?
Everyone acts like they do nothing and they are just that great. Which maybe some are but I really like the book With Winning in Mind. My dad periodically reminds me to go back and re-read it. I always try to keep my heart rate and breathing under control and only focus on 2-3 things in each run. I have a routine I go through from saddling to warm up to putting gear on Tibbie to run. Slowing everything down is important.
What was your favorite rodeo this year and why?
A tie between San Antonio and Calgary. The tunnel at San Antonio gave me chills! I’m not sure what it is about it, just such a cool place to run barrels. Calgary is the best rodeo I have ever been to! Hands down! Everything about it is so.. Special!
What is the best advice you’ve ever been given regarding barrel racing?That this is my job and there is no reason to be nervous or have anxiety for my job that I do everyday!
What would you like to see be done in the industry to better rodeo as a sport?
A better shot at guaranteed money! We are one of the few professional sports that has absolutely zero guaranteed money except from sponsors we go out and get ourselves or that contact us. It’s a hard way to make a living!
A big thank you to all my sponsors, my Dad and everyone that has pitched in to help me be where I’m at today– they all know who they are!
If you want to learn more about Ivy & Tibbie, check out the interview I did earlier in the 2016 season.
