Rylee McKenzie
At just 25 years old, Rylee Mckenzie has quite the resume. The 2003 Canadian Permit Winner qualified for her first CFR in 2011 and also qualified for the Wilderness Circuit Finals. She made the Reno Rodeo Short Round in 2011, ending up fifth. In 2012 she went back to the CFR. In 2013 she was the Cloverdale Invitational Rodeo Champion winning the big $20,000 check, as well as being the 2013 Hell or High Water Champion. The list of rodeos she has won or placed at over the years is just too long to post. Its been about a year since Rylee has had an interview, and since she is a friend of mine, and my blog is fresh, I decided to interview her.
Which has been your favorite horse over the years and why?
“My favorite horse was “Badger” (Seekers War Machine) Because, he took me from being a no body all the way to a professional level. He was the game changer. And by doing so, he taught me about everything that comes with winning, the good, the media, and the bad, the politics, the backstabbing, and the rumors.”
What has been your biggest accomplishment thus far in your career?
“My biggest accomplishment, was moving into the top 20 of the World standings on Dollar (“DR Nick Assured, Sire DR Nick Bar Dam Miss Profit Acct) Even though it was for a short time in the middle of rodeo season, It was the greatest feeling ever to be in there with the big dogs.”
I asked Rylee to tell me more about Dollar. From what I had heard, he was a pretty wicked horse.
“I bought dollar as a 6 year old who had been only exhibitioned a few times. He had several issues when we bought him, but within the 3 years, we had our little diamond all polished up. He had placed at the derbys and won rounds at them, along with a few pro rodeos. But in 2011, he came out swinging, placing at Los fresnos, Texas, and missing the short go by .02 at Fort Worth, Texas (it was 1 round with a short go at this time) Also placing 2nd in the round and 6-7 in the average at the tour rodeo in Red Bluff, CA. Then we came home to Canada, and placed 5th at Grande Prairie, AB, followed by a win at Rocky Mountain House, AB (17.28). We headed back south after that for “the wildest rodeo in the west” Reno, Nevada, where we left leading the first round and placing 4th in the second round and LEADING the average. When all was said and done, we ended up second in the round behind Robyn Herring and FIrewaterontherocks, 7th in the average and 5th in the short round. (17.28, 17.40, 17.21 were our times respectfully). We drove back to canada, but first we stopped at Belt, Montana which we won, and then placed at High River, AB & 5th at Sundre, AB. Which was then followed by an intense Fourth of July run, we headed to Ponoka (no luck), St. Paul, Oregon where we won 2nd (17.38), Mollalla, Oregon ( 17.33) where we were 4th and Williams lake, BC where we won 5th. With all these big cheques we had launched ourselves into the world standings, Canadian standings, Wrangler Pro Tour standings and high money earning over the Fourth of July standings.
Shortly after our great success, tragedy had struck, just two days before “The Daddy of ‘Em All” Cheyenne Frontier Days, Dollar tragically had to be laid to rest.
Thankfully in this stretch I had my #1 rock of a horse “JL” whom then went on to keep us in the top 30 WPRA standings, placing 4th at Great Falls, Montana, 2nd in the first round at Hermiston Oregon (17.38), and 7th in the average, Ogden, Utah (17.51), Kallispell, Montana, Strathmore, Alberta, Medicine Hat, Alberta, la Crete, Alberta, Cranbrook, Alberta, Hanna,Alberta, grimshaw, Alberta, Abbottsford, British Columbia and MCCord, Alberta. Which also took us to the Wildnerness Circuit finals, qualified us for Puyallup, Washington tour finals, Rodeo Houston, San Antonio, Texas and our first CFR!
As a professional barrel racer you face a lot of pressure, and expectations. How do you handle this?
I try to stay focused on my own path, I have a goal, I have tunnel vision to that goal, and I try to ignore my surroundings. I am constantly questioned as to why I am doing this, or that, and the answer is very simple, on my path, that is what needs to happen to get to the end goal.
Motivation Motivation Motivation! What keeps you motivated?
First of all, I have a great support system. But mostly, my motivation comes from my horses, they LOVE to go, so its hard not to be motivated, when your horses run to the trailer towing you along.
What is your must have horse product in your trailer?
Vetrolin Detangler & Shine.
What you do in the off season?
I try to work with my colts as much as the weather permits, but I also like to do “non- horse” things. Fishing, hiking, snowboarding, biking, etc. Im an extreme active person, so anything I can find, I will go do.
The 2014 season is over. What are your plans for the 2015 season?
I have several plans for the 2015 season. First is to take my colts “Missability” & “RP Dr Frost” to the futurities. Second is to take them to some amateur rodeos (LRA), and qualify for those finals. Third is to attend some pro rodeos that I enjoy going to. And lastly, is to qualify for The American for 2016.
What about other future goals?
Qualify for the NFR, and Qualify for the CFR in contention for a championship.
I’ve talked earlier on the blog about new girls coming to the sport of barrel racing. Any piece of advice to new girls coming to the sport ?
Keep an open mind, learn lots, pick “One” persons training method, consistency pays off. Take clinics from other disciplines, better your horsemanship, stay positive & don’t be intimidated, your only as good as you can be that day.
There was a lot of talk about you hitting up the amateur rodeos late in the season this year. Can you let us know why you made this decision?
JL had sustained a minute suspensory strain, and I was advised to give her 6-8 weeks, which happened to fall in our prime time rodeo stretch. So I chose to drop to a semi-pro level, and take a younger horse that needed the experience to some rodeos, which were close by.
Alright, enough serious talk, tell me what your perfect day entails!
35 degree weather or hotter; Ride horses in the morning while its cooler, and head to the lake for the afternoon, followed by more relaxing in the evening! Those are few and far between where we live though!
Im really looking forward to watching Rylee down the road to the CFR, The American and the NFR. I know this hard working girl has it in her to get there! All the best Ry!
