Shelby Spielman CFR 2022
Shelby Spielman is ready for her fourth Canadian Finals Rodeo, aboard the one and only, Hot Donna. This year Spielman won Strathmore Stampede, the short-go of the Wainwright Stampede, and placed well at fifteen other rodeos, which helped her earn $33,957.40 after 46 rodeos. She is $14,943.64 behind the number one position.
Hot Donna is the 2022 Horse With The Most Heart, what does winning this mean to you?
Hot Donna winning horse with the most heart is very special to me. I’ve always thought Donna was special but for my fellow competitors to agree, is a great honor. With Hot Donna being 15 ,she blew me away with everything she helped me accomplish this year. I’ve said it before but I truly believe she’s my once in a lifetime horse and I’m just so thankful to be her owner and jockey. She is such a blessing to me.
How was your experience at the Calgary Stampede this year, making it to Showdown Sunday?
I love the Calgary Stampede and Hot Donna seems to love it as well. Competing against the best women and horses in the world is a feeling like no other. This was my second year to make Showdown Sunday and it was just as exciting as the first. My horse tried her hardest and that’s all I could’ve asked for. I think every person needs to experience the Calgary Stampede at least once.
What has been your most memorable run this year, and what made it memorable for you?
Gosh, this is a hard one to choose. I guess I would pick Strathmore. In the past Donna hasn’t always loved Strathmore so I somewhat expected her to just go take care of herself and make a bottom hole placing run … after I made my run this year and heard my time I was in complete shock. To win a rodeo with added money like that is so helpful during the rodeo season and gave me the ability to breathe a little in regards to qualifying for the CFR as well as allow me to pick and choose what rodeos I hauled Donna to.
What was your first horses name, and what horse over the years has taught you the most?
My first horses name was, Apache. He was a big black and white paint horse who took pretty dang good care of me and taught me the ropes. As far as which horse has taught me the most, I can’t choose. My parents always made sure to have me on good horses throughout my childhood that each taught me something. I’m so appreciative to my parents for helping me become the rider I am today.
If you were not barrel racing, what other horse discipline would you be in, or what else would you be doing?
I love to rope, so most likely my main event would be breakaway roping. Nothing quite compares to the feeling of a great rope horse doing their job.
Tell us about the new stallion you purchased this year with your fiancé, Keely Bonnett.
Cajunish is a three year old red roan stallion. He is by Hottish and out of Cajun Grace. We are very excited about him and have big hopes and dreams for his future. So far he has been everything we were looking for in a stallion.
What was different about your rodeo season this year compared to last year or other seasons?
This year I tried really hard to only run Donna in setups I knew she has liked in the past. I didn’t go to every single rodeo if it was going to require crazy hauling schedules and I made sure that my horse was feeling her best the entire season.
I was lucky enough to get to jockey three other horses at a few rodeos this season and they all helped me pick up some money too. Gracelyn of Rene Leqerqs helped me win money at Drayton Valley. Moonshine of Mariah Mannerings won money at Dawson Creek and Medicine Lodge. And the yellow stallion I ride, Elvis, won money at Bowden and Morris.
What is the best advice you’ve been given regarding life, rodeo, horses, or barrel racing?
Each horse is different, try your best to mold yourself to fit them and not the other way around.
I always remind myself to enjoy the ride before every run as well, I think it’s so important to remember that we don’t always know when the last run we will make is… so I try to take each run as it comes and not get looking too far ahead.
What was your favourite Canadian rodeo this year, and why?
I love Armstrong! It has an energy like no other rodeo. There’s just something about running down that alley hearing Brett Gardiner getting the crowd going and know you’re on great ground and all you have to do is go make the best run you can.
Which of the other CFR Qualifiers horses would you swing a leg over if given the chance?
I love Bradi Whiteside’s mare, Sis. She’s efficient and insanely fast. I don’t think I’d do her justice, but I think it would be amazing to feel the speed she has.
Who has been your barrel racing/rodeo mentor and what is something they’ve taught you?
Gosh, this is a hard one. I have had a lot of great mentors in my life. Most recently, I think I would have to choose Keely (my fiancé). He is one of the best horseman I know and he continues to build my knowledge everyday on how a horse can most efficiently use themselves to be the best athlete they can.
What are your goals for 2023?
I would love to make it down south to the indoor winter rodeos, but I am just going to wait and see how that pans out.
“I would like to thank my parents and little brother for always supporting me even when I’m not close to home. I also would like to thank the Bonnett family for being the best Canadian family I could have ever asked for. I owe a big thank you to my traveling partner, Mariah Mannering, for sticking it out with me the whole year and always doing whatever needed to be done to help us both have success. Lastly, thank you to every single one of my sponsors. I know without a doubt that I could not do what I’ve done without their help. Olive Insurance Agency LLC, CEP Canada, Weaver Leather, Neutrabac PH Alberta, Cor Veterinary Services, Coulee Equine, Up In Stitches, Hansbo Sport, Coulee Equine, Synergy by Weaver and Split Arrow Apparel.”
