2014 LBR Champion Steffanie Mather
Steffanie Mather isn’t new to the Canadian Finals Rodeo. She was here in Edmonton in 2012, but didn’t have quite the success she did this year. Steff is your 2014 CPRA Ladies Barrel Racing CHAMPION!!
Before joining the CPRA in 2011, Steff had a lot of success as a junior and then as an open barrel racer in both the CCA and Chinook Associations.
Steff ran at 39 CPRA rodeos this year winning $20,832.78 during the season, sending her to finals in 4th position. During the CFR, they took home a go round buckle, $46,632.15, plus $11,809.44 in Aggregate Money, for a grand total of $79,274.37 in their 2014 season!! The pair won Round Three with a time of 14.610.
Now home safely, Steffanie & I were able to catch up and talk about their kick-a$$ Finals!!!
Where is Buck from, and how is he bred?
I’ve had Buck for 7 years now, he’s 14. I bought him late in his 7 year old year from Kevin Pole. He was pretty broke when I bought him so he took to the barrels really fast, he was a natural right from day one! He’s by IT Siksika on the top (who goes back to Sonita’s Last) and out of Bon Anza Blaze on the bottom (who goes back to Major Bonanaza). On paper he should have never went as far in the barrel racing world as he has. My traveling partner, Chelsea Moore, said it best when she said just tell people he’s by Heart out of Try because he really does have the biggest heart!
What was your favourite rodeo you attended this year and why?
We go to a lot of great rodeos in a year! Williams Lake stands out because I won that one and had such an amazing run. Lacrete has always been one of my favorites too, their committee works so hard and it’s always a lot of fun up there.
Motivation is huge. What kept you motivated and focused this season?
I just wanted to get back to Edmonton! Buck got sick on me last year and we battled some lameness issues, so I was just hoping for him to come back 100% and he came back better than ever! I set some pretty big goals for us this year and we far exceeded them!
Can you describe how you felt coming down the alley way into Rexall making your first run?
I loved it! Such an adrenaline rush! Every run was just so much fun! It was such a great group of girls this year and there were some wicked tough horses, it was such a horse race and that makes it fun!
How did you handle the pressure coming into your second CFR?
I don’t really get nervous or pressure up which I feel really helped all week long. I had a lot of confidence going in and just took it one run at a time. My goal at the beginning of the week was just 6 solid clean runs and then let the chips fall where they may and it worked! I only tipped one barrel on Buck all year long and it was at Ponoka in the long go, and I would have made the short go if I hadn’t tipped. I think it’s pretty cool to make that many runs in a year and only hit one barrel.
(Let me remind you they went to 39 rodeos this year and only tipped once..)
What kinds of alternate therapies like Back On Track etc. did you use to keep Buck feeling his best on the road all season, and during the CFR?
I love my back on track stuff and I am a very firm believer in it!! I also use the Flair Strips and Equi-Winner patches. Shauna Cole works on my horses too and she has made a huge difference. I’ve set up a fairly good maintence schedule that I like to stick to as best as possible and I feel it’s very important.
What have you been doing to keep Buck legged up since the season ended?
I ride him out lots and he gets exercised everyday. Lots of long trotting and loping out in the field. I don’t work him too often, just enough to keel him sharp. He’s getting a well deserved break now.
Have you been able to let all of this sink in? You are THE Canadian Champ!!!
No not really, I still feel like I’m dreaming!!
How does it feel knowing you’re headed to the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth aka Calgary Stampede and have a shot to win the $100,000!?
I’m so pumped!! I’ve wanted to make Calgary for a really long time,so this is huge! The best part is there will be 2 other Canadian girls there with me!! GO CANADA!!
Do you have any future plans of trying to qualify for THE AMERICAN whether its for 2015 or 2016?
Yes, I would like to get to a qualifier. Rumours are that there are spots for the Canadian Champion, but it’s all just been hearsay so far.
Lets talk more about Bucky! He’s SO CONSISTENT!!! Does he have any quirks? How would you describe his style?
Buckman is quite the character, he has so much personality!! He’s got the biggest heart and so much try!! Buck is truly amazing! He can be pretty spooky and a lot of horse at times, I’ve smoked runs on him and then had him spook and blow up leaving the arena..I thought barrel horses were supposed to be bad going in! He really does make the same run every time and is soooo much fun to run! He’s been with me through some pretty tough times and I can’t imagine life without him. I love that horse more than words can describe. I know in my lifetime I’ll end up with horses who are faster and better bred for the barrel racing world, but I will never ever have another Buck!! I’m truly blessed!!
What are your must haves when you’re going down the road?
My traveling partner Chelsea Moore!! I’ve also traveled with Carlee Edge and Val Gilespie, and these girls are all so much fun! Last year all 4 of us traveled together and no one killed each other! Who says barrel racers can’t get along?!?! I love to have good music for going down the road too, and I’ll usually pack a volleyball and play around when I can, it’s important to stay in shape and sometimes that’s difficult.
Do you have any advice for girls wanting to go down the road and chase their CFR dreams?
Go for it!! As corny as it may sound dreams really do come true!! But be prepared to work your butt off and make some sacrifices. The rodeo trail is not always an easy one but it sure is worth it when you reach your goal!!
I have so many people to thank that I don’t even know where to begin. I would like to thank my sponsor Lambert Trucking out of Medicine Hat for supporting me in getting down the road. My family, Mom, Dad, and Cecily for supporting my barrel racing career and helping me achieve my goals. The Moore family for everything they have done for me, Chelsea for putting up with me and playing such a big role in the success I’ve had this year, can’t wait to be running against her there next year! And My boyfriend Clayton for being my rock, he was so amazingly supportive all year and I couldn’t have done it without him. To everyone else who has supported me over the years and been there for me, THANK YOU, I’m so blessed to have so many amazing people in my life!
So proud of Steff for having such a successful 2014 season! I can’t wait to see how they fair in 2015! All the best!!
Cassie✿
