Sarah Rose McDonald and Fame Fling N Bling
Lipstick & Cowboy Boots is only half a year old now, and when I started out, I didn’t imagine interviewing the likes of Lisa Lockhart, Nancy Hunter, or Britany Diaz. I have been sitting and thinking a lot of what I want to write about this year for my blog, and my favourite part of this journey has been the interviews. I love hearing what the top girls are doing with their horses, how they handle the pressure etc. When I read their replies I can feel the passion and emotion behind their hard work. It gets me so fired up to write and share their journeys with you! So, I have a handful of interviews brewing, and if you have anyone specific you want me to try to get ahold of, shoot me an email and I will try my best!
I am beyond excited to start my 2015 Interviews with this girl. Sarah Rose McDonald is the 2014 WPRA Rookie of the Year. You may have seen Sarah and her mare Bling on Facebook recently, or maybe they’re familiar because they have been on the cover of Barrel Horse News FOUR times! Bling is a drool-worthy 2006 mare out of A Streak of Fling, and a Dash Ta Fame mare that Larry Ammons had purchased as a yearling at the Fulton Ranch Sale. Sarah’s Uncle, Steve McDonald had trained the pretty roan at 3, and by 4 Sarah was taking her through the pattern.. You could say the rest is history!
Last year Sarah decided to leave the Coastal Georgia College, where she was studying nursing, so she could hit the rodeo trail full-time. So far it has really paid off! In 2014 Sarah won the Wrangler Million Dollar Tour stop in Spanish Fork, Utah with a 16.77, second place was a 17.0! {I remember seeing a video of this run on Facebook last year, but to find it now of course is impossible. It was Uh-MAZING!!} She also got to travel to Las Vegas to accept WPRA Rookie of the Year awards. She had finished 2014 in 19th spot, just 4 away from making the NFR! So far this year Sarah is qualified for the RFDTV – The AMERICAN Semi-Finals, and has won the first round in Fort Worth with a 16.42. {Second round Feb 5th, they ran a 16.37!!!} Look out girls, there’s a new wolf in town! McDonald has picked up Oxy-Gen, Triple Crown, Iconoclast, Wilson Leather Co. Cinch & Cruel Girl for sponsors. Smart of them to get their brands on this duo cause they are HOT!!
Photo provided by Sarah Rose McDonald
Up to Date List of Accomplishments:
2014 WPRA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
CASPER, WYOMING FINALS CHAMPION
SPANISH FORK, UTAH CHAMPION AND SET NEW ARENA RECORD WITH A 16.77
PERRY, GEORGIA CHAMPION
FLETCHER, NORTH CAROLINA CHAMPION
DAVIE, FLORIDA CHAMPION
HILL CITY, KANSAS CHAMPION
SIDNEY, IOWA CHAMPION
BREMERTON, WASHINTON CHAMPION
OMAHA, NEBRASKA CHAMPION AND ADVANCED TO CHAMPIONSCHALLENGE
OMAHA, NEBRASKA CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE RESERVE CHAMPION
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA RESERVE CHAMPION
FRANKLIN, TENNESSEE RESERVE CHAMPION
OGDEN, UTAH RESERVE CHAMPION
PHILIPSBURG, KANSAS RESERVE CHAMPION
ABILENE, KANSAS RESERVE CHAMPION
COFFEYVILLE, KANSAS RESERVE CHAMPION
FREEDOM, OKLAHOMA RESERVE CHAMPION
ELLENSBURG, WASHINGTON FINALS RESERVE CHAMPION
PUYALLUP, WASHINGTON (JUSTIN BOOTS CHAMPIONSHIPS) RESERVE CHAMPION
ALL AMERICAN PRO RODEO SEMI FINALS CHAMPION
ALL AMERICAN PRO RODEO FINALS CHAMPION
WPRA SOUTH EASTERN RODEO CIRCUIT RESERVE CHAMPION
QUALIFIED TO COMPETE IN DODGE RAM NATIONAL CIRCUIT FINALS
FINISHED 19TH IN 2014 WPRA WORLD STANDINGS (ONLY 4 PLACES OUT OF MAKING NFR DURING ROOKIE YEAR)
FASTEST TIME OF THE 2014 TURKEY RUN IN FLORIDA
ANDALUSIA, ALABAMA FORTUNE 5 1D AVERAGE CHAMPION
OCALA, FLORIDA FORTUNE 5 1D AVERAGE CHAMPION
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA FORTUNE 5 1D AVERAGE CHAMPIOM
2014 DIXIE NATIONALS CHAMPION
2014 FLORIDA STATE NBHA CHAMPION
2013 FLORIDA STATE NBHA CHAMPION
2013 GEORGIA SPORTS ARENA CHAMPION
2013 PRESIDENTS CUP CHAMPION
2013 JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA SHAMROCK SHOWDOWN CHAMPION (WON ALL 3 GO ROUNDS AND AVERAGE)
2012 DIXIE NATIONALS CHAMPION (WON ALL 3 GO ROUNDS AND AVERAGE)
2012 TURKEY RUN CHAMPION
2011 TRIPLE CROWN 1D CHAMPION
2011 ALL AMERICAN YOUTH 1D CHAMPION
2010 DIXIE NATIONALS 1D CHAMPION
2010 PRESIDENTS CUP 1D CHAMPION
2005 DIXIE NATIONAL 1D CHAMPION
2005 NBHA OPEN WORLD 1D CHAMPION
3 TIME NBHA TEEN WORLD RESERVE CHAMPION
4 TIMES ON THE COVER OF BARREL HORSE NEWS
2 TIMES DIVISIONAL RIDER AND HORSE OF THE YEAR (FAME FLING N BLING)
FAME FLING N BLING WON BARREL RACINGS REPORT HORSE OF THE YEAR AS A 5 YEAR OLD
I am sure you have made quite a few memorable runs, but what has been your favourite run thus far in your career?
When I won the NBHA world in 2005 on my gelding GC Highly Motivated. I was 13 and he was 9. He made me the rider that I am and that was a huge accomplishment for my career in barrel racing. He is now 19 and my niece Anna rides him now. My favourite run from this season is Spanish Fork Utah where Bling and I set the arena record with a 16.77. Second place was a 17.0 so that was awesome! {Note- Spanish Fork is a full set/standard pattern}
How is the 2015 season going so far?
It is going great! I just won the first go of the Fort Worth Stock show and I am entered in San Angelo, Jackson, San Antonio, the American semi finals, and Houston.
I love hearing what goals people have set for themselves. What goals do you have set for 2015?
I want to be as consistent as possible and try to place every run that I make. I will only be running the big rodeos on Bling because I don’t want to run her too much.
Tell us how it felt to receive the buckle for WPRA Rookie of the Year at the 2014 NFR?
It was awesome being able to go to Vegas. That was the first time I have ever been on a plane and my family came with me so we had a lot of fun! They also gave me an awesome saddle, saddle rack, and a lot of other awards.
Being at the level you’re at, how do you keep focused and have a sharp mental game?
I spend a lot of time with my horses and I enjoy taking care of them. Bling is the reason I’m here so I try to pamper her and make her as comfortable as possible. To be rodeoing full-time and being able to be with my horses and running at all these arenas is a blessing so I try to soak in every moment. Bling and I have a close bond so that helps as far as right before we run. I try to do the same routine before every run. Right before I run we say our prayers and go for it!
What sort of things do you do to keep your horses sharp?
I try to keep a balance between exercising them, letting them be turned out to play and roll, and letting them rest. Sometimes I like to sprint Bling and let her open up. Other times I like to long trot or just get on her and walk her around. I will walk around the barrels once or twice and that’s all of the barrels she sees except when we run. I like to give them off after a long drive and also the day before I run. I want them to be rested and feel fresh. They know their job.
Girls are always wanting to keep up with new and improved supplements. What supplements and feed do you have your horses on, specifically Bling?
Triple Crown horse feed, Oxygen Immune, and a fat supplement. I always keep hay and alfalfa in front of her.
Tell us about Fame Fling N Bling! I LOVE this horse!!!
She is very very smart. She knows her job. I’ve learned a lot about her on the road. She’s my partner and my best friend. She let’s me know when she doesn’t like something she will snort and I better fix it soon. Lol She is very confident. She walks so gracefully and when I turn her out she shakes her neck back and forth. That means she feels really good! She is very fast and turns really tight so you know every time I leave that alley way I need to push her the whole way and keep the forward momentum in the turns. She has a unique style but it is so fun! Shes an athlete. She runs with all heart and gets low in the turns.
Photo provided by Sarah Rose McDonald
What are your must-haves in the trailer; for your horses and for yourself?
Thankfully my friend Erika Norris hauls with me and her truck and trailer is awesome. I’m blessed to have her helping me! I always keep shavings in the trailer and clean it every time we get the horses off. Also I like to keep alfalfa and hay for the horses in their hay bags. I always wrap their legs with back on track wraps and I like to pack their feet the day before a run with magic cushion and poultice her legs. I like to keep waters and cokes in the fridge. We usually eat on the road. One thing I love about our trailer is the horses have big stalls and the bed is so comfortable!
Since the blog is called Lipstick and Cowboy Boots, if you wear lipstick ever, what is your fave brand, and what are your fave pair of boots!?
I don’t wear lipstick but I do wear EOS ChapStick. I currently have a pair of Cinch boots and I love them! I go through so many boots in a year!
Check out Sarah and Bling on Facebook and follow their 2015 season! {if you click her name where it’s highlighted in the beginning of this interview, it will take you right to her Facebook page }
Huge Thank-You to Sarah for taking the time to do this interview. I wish her and Bling all the best!
