Toni Dixon CFR 2016
Millarville, Alberta resident Toni Dixon is off to Edmonton for the second year in a row, after only running professionally for three years. 34 rodeos and $15,462.88 later, she is hoping to end up in the Top 4 when all the dust settles for the opportunity to run at The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth.
“I made the CFR last year and it was a wonderful experience. I loved every minute of it. I thought one time would be enough for me especially finishing 5th in Canada, but I was determined to try again to be in the top 4 in Canada to get a berth into the Calgary Stampede.”
Dixon has been barrel racing for the last 28 years, prior she competed in 3-Day Eventing in Ontario where she grew up. Since moving west she has trained barrel horses competing in futurities, derbies and various associations. She picked up her pro card in 2013 and made it into the top 20 that year.
Toni will be bringing her two main mounts to the CFR.
“I have two barrel horses, Jig French Truckle, aka “Muffin”, 12 yr old AQHA sorrel mare. I have owned her since she was 6 yrs old. I bought her from Buffy Romeo who bought her from Judy Gracie in Nebraska as a 3 yr old. My other horse is Guys R A Mystery, aka“Sherlock”, 7 yr old AQHA palomino gelding. I have owned him since he was a late 5 yr old. Bill and Deb Myers bred him.”
Do they have any quirks?Both my horses have their little quirks, which makes them special. Muffin is a very sensitive, kind mare, gritty and loves her job. She has a habit of biting into the air when the cinch starts to touch her belly. (Very much a racehorse trait). She is the boss in her pen, quiet, subtle but the boss. Some days while warming her up she is full of it. I look forward to her being “wound up” on rodeo days because she usually clocks.
Sherlock is a big kind lovable boy. He is quite the character. He really likes, and tries to manage, his girlfriend Muffin. He loves to please and loves to barrel race but is not as solid as Muffin.
How would you describe their style?Muffin really uses her hind end and gets into the ground. She is light in the mouth and loves to fly to 1st barrel. The Frenchmans Guy on her top side gives her rate and turn while the Truckle Feature/Bunny Bid on the bottom side gives her the run. She is extremely smooth so doesn’t always look fast. People have commented they are surprised that she clocked so well after watching her run.
Sherlock is very similar in style to Muffin. He is very round and tight in his turns. The Frenchmans Guy is the rate and turn and the Dash Ta Fame on his bottom side gives him a more thoroughbred frame and his run.
With all the miles made, varying ground conditions, and expenses, what kept the CFR dream alive for you?Making the CFR and competing in the Calgary Stampede have been a goal of mine ever since I became involved in the sport of barrel racing. I needed to wait for the right time in my life to focus on these goals. I raised my children, trained horses, raised and raced Running Quarter horses, competed in barrel racing, cattle penning and team roping but always stayed fairly close to home. A number of years ago, I was diagnosed with Cancer two separate times. When something like that happens to you, you really evaluate your life. I realized how precious life is and it was the right time to embrace and fulfill my goals and dreams.
I love the bond I have with my horses and I love to compete. I am focused and am not afraid of hard work. Yes rodeo means driving many miles throughout western Canada and the US. It means competing in various weather conditions, it is expensive, and I miss my family. I am a new Grandmother; my granddaughter is three months old. She is precious. I am very fortunate my family and friends support me in my quest. When you achieve your goals the hard work, driving and sacrifices are forgotten.
What are your favorite bloodlines for barrel racing?
When I bought Muffin, she was different, special and unique. I love her personality, her unwavering try and grittiness. She truly loves to run barrels, and she loves to please. We have an amazing bond. She is sensitive, kind and at times leans of me for confidence. She is a granddaughter of Frenchmans Guy out of a Truckle Feature/Bunny Bid mare.
Sherlock is by Frenchmans Guy out of Disarray by Dash Ta Fame. He was gelded as a 4 year old, which helped form his somewhat arrogant and “loves himself “personality. However, he is kind, loves to barrel race, has lots of try and we have a great connection.
What bloodlines are you partial to in the barrel horse world.I get along well and have had success with the Frenchmans Guy bloodline. When you know a bloodline works for you, its smart to stick with it. I have had success with other bloodlines, but the Frenchmans Guy clicks best for me.
Riding a seasoned barrel horse, what exercises do you do for tune-ups on the pattern?My exercise program consists of many miles riding outside at home doing fitness work, riding up and down hills, keeping them legged up and strong.
I do slow work when I am on the pattern; I do lots of flexing exercises to make sure my horses are supple and balanced in their bodies. Because there is so much forward motion in barrel racing, a horse needs to be brought back to maintain their balance. Therefore, I focus my exercises to reinforce their rate, keep them soft in front and to strengthen and engage their hind ends properly.
We all know that being competitive takes mental strength. What do you do to keep a sharp mental edge in the game of rodeo?I have a routine I follow strictly, which keeps myself and my horses focused whether we are at a jackpot or at the CFR. My consistent program gives me mental strength.
What is your go to product for keeping your horse sound for the seasonMy focus for my horses is a well-rounded and balanced fitness and feeding program. I feed Strategy, Platinum CJ , oats, and good quality hay with some alfalfa in it. My horses are on a good fitness program; they live outside, not on grass, but in a large pen they can move around in.
You were able to go to a few of the big rodeos in the south this year, like Cheyenne & Deadwood, how was that experience for you, and what did you take away from it?Another goal was to compete at Cheyenne, the “Daddy of them All”, and I felt this was my year to go. I loved the whole scene. It is huge arena with a very long run to first barrel, which Muffin and I love. Even though the arena is huge you still need to set up properly, not run from the gate. Everyone runs in Slack for their first run and they take 96 back to the performances. There were 267 entered and I placed 19th in the first round.
Deadwood is a unique cowboy town. We were not able to stay there long for we had to get back to Cheyenne. We pulled in at 3:30 am, competed and were gone by noon. It was pouring rain when I ran and heavy sand. I would love to go back to compete and explore the town, hopefully with better weather.
