Stacey Ruzicka 2023 CFR
Stacey Ruzicka rolled into Edmonton Pro Rodeo knowing that she had to place well to make another appearance at The Canadian Finals Rodeo; she was just one hundred and some odd dollars out of the top twelve. Her great mare, Bay Kaye stepped up and made it count. The dynamic duo finished fourth (for a second year in a row), and slid into the top twelve for another trip to Red Deer, Alberta.
What rodeos did you win or place at this year?
Ponoka was a big one for us to place and make the top 10, got my confidence back. I struggled with being one or two out of bottom hole a lot this year, with mistakes by me, so it was frustrating for me to know that we could be higher. Wainwright was huge for me too! I was pretty excited to make the short go, because I have never got a check there before. Edmonton the very last one to clench CFR!
What quirks does your horse have, and what quirks would you say that you have?
Sometimes going in the arena she likes to lunge and bolt! I’m pretty lucky, Kaye gets along with all horses and is good to travel with. My quirks, I have little things I do before to my horse before I run that others might think is weird, but I can’t tell you all my secrets.
What has been your most memorable run this year, and what made it memorable for you?
It would have to be my last one in Edmonton, because it was cut right down to the wire!
What was different about your rodeo season this year compared to last year or other seasons?
The weather was definitely different! I only recall one or two weekends were we ran in mud, so was very thankful for that. When I look back, I realize that I placed more at the big tour rodeos and not the little ones as much, so I have to be pretty grateful for that!
Did you face any challenges this season? Tell us about them.
The challenges I faced where mental, I just missed my timing a lot on my first barrel, or bad habits I’ve done for years and know not to and still did them anyway. I felt like I let my horse down a lot this year. It isn’t always easy, if it was, everyone would be doing it.
Tell the readers something good that happened to you this season, other than placing at, or winning a rodeo.
Meeting new people. Its always nice to catch up with old friends and reunite. One of the best things that happen this season was that I got to go the whole season! At the beginning of the year I didn’t know if we would still be fast enough.
Who is your travelling partner, and what do you enjoy most about travelling with them?
Mostly, I travelled with Diane Skcodopole again this year, she is a very good driver, and always prepared for that little car that might turn in front of us! We like to keep a neat rig so that makes it nice for both of us when we respect each other’s outfit and space.
I got to travel with Kyla Simmons on one BC trip…we had a blast. I’m a people person, and love getting to know other people and their stories. I believe we meet each and every one for a reason.
What is the best advice you’d give to readers, about horses, competing or life?
Stay focused, don’t give up, we all struggle, we all have ups and downs, and I’ve always believed what’s meant to be will. When it’s our time, it’s our time.
Favourite Canadian rodeo this year, and why?
La Crete! They are amazing at hosting all of us from food, to bringing our horses water as soon as we pull in. The ground is exceptional there as well! Always has been Kaye and I’s favourite
Which of the other CFR Qualifiers horses would you swing a leg over if given the chance and why?
Hmmm that’s a tough question! Famey would be so fun! She is so honest and fast.
Who has been your barrel racing/rodeo mentor and what is something they’ve taught you?
Brook Robertson, she’s had years of experience and trained multiple winners. She has a strong mental game that I take a lot from.
Debbie Hildebrandt, she has taken multiple Connie Combs clinics as well and Connie is where everything changed for me and started winning on multiple horses. Debbie’s my “tuneup” girl since Connie is so far away. I think I need more of a tuneup than the horse. LOL. And of course, Connie Combs.
What products can you or your horse not live without on the road?
Well, that’s easy for me, everybody knows I like shrimp, pretzels and always keep a variety of beverages in my fridge lol. I love my CEP products, Total Impact IV, Coolmist muscle spray after we run, and sometimes the Ecellerate paste or Amp Air. I also use Equinity (you can get from Diane Sckodopole).
Mental game; what do you do to stay sharp, and shake the nerves of competing?
I’m pretty calm before I run. One of the most important things that I’ve learned over the years is to trust your training and yourself; know what you have under you and go for it!! Another tip by a good friend, Brook Robertson was too focus on that perfect run, and really get it in your mind, and then, when it’s time to run, leave it behind you and just let it happen.
I’ve always worked on, not overthinking You can mentally prepare, and when it’s time, muscle memory should come in to play. Stay confident in my horse, trusting her, and be confident and say “we got this”.
What is your coffee order?
I don’t drink coffee, no bad habits!
Describe to readers the rollercoaster ride of Edmonton; placing and making it count at the last rodeo of the season to get in, when you were just $100 and some odd dollars out going into it.
Yes, definitely a roller coaster. The last month and a half has been for us, me making mistakes to win money. I feel like I let my horse down because she’s trying and I am the one that is screwing up! I never looked at any social media that day of Edmonton, I knew I was close. I don’t like looking at the standings, especially when I have been on the bubble this last month and a half! I don’t feel it’s necessary to add more pressure on myself, I just knew I had to feel confident and go out there and do our best and trust that it would get done, and it did.
I woke up that morning and the night before and just kept thinking “I’m going to be at the CFR,” “I am going to be at the CFR.” It was a long day. I was busy doing things in my yard and kept thinking about making it, I got to the rodeo just after it started and everything just went away. I had no nerves, nothing it was just gone. It was almost I was at peace and whatever was going to happen was going to happen, and I was gonna go for it and do our best
When I turned the third barrel, I knew that it was a good run. I wasn’t sure how I was going to clock, but when I heard the announcer and the crowd get loud, I knew something good happened! I wasn’t sure if I was leading it because all I could hear was he said my name again and the crowd got loud. I immediately called Brook Robertson, who I always call right after I do well, while on my horse riding back and she said to me “what happened?! I said “I don’t know that’s why I’m calling you! “ and she replied the Cowboy Channel crashed before the barrel racing so I don’t know what’s going on!” my voice was shaky because I thought I heard him say I clinched another CFR. Emotions were high, (mighta got a little teary) and I wasn’t sure if I should believe it yet. Brooke is always all about the numbers and has everything figured out to the cent! She said, “I’ll call you right back. What was your time?” I’m like I’m not sure so she figured it out and called and said, “you made it!” I was still in disbelief, and so happy with Kaye and how we came back in it at the most stressful time. Kaye is my world, she’s been with me for 17 years, at 20 years old and to still make the CFR, is pretty cool for me.
I started off the year not really knowing if I was going to go much, if we weren’t placing. When I started this season, I said to myself “I’m going to make the CFR this year.” I didn’t think it was gonna be this hard, but who said life is easy? Lol.
Of course I would love to thank all of my sponsors! Their generosity is greatly appreciated.
Brook Robertson with Seven Saddle, Endurance equine, Klay and Chelsey Whyte, Fountain Tire Ponoka, Evergreen co-op RIMBEY , Nexgen, and CEP Canada Jenny Massing.
Also, a thank you to my number one supporter from home, Shane. He has put up with a lot of me being gone this summer, and missing out on other opportunities, but is always pushing me towards my goal of making the Canadian Finals Rodeo.
