Taylor Manning - CFR 2023
Taylor Manning is one of the Canadian Finals Rodeo veterans amongst the pack, as this is her sixth CFR Qualification. The reigning Canadian Champion competed at 41 rodeos, and brought home $26,305.79. She won Medicine Hat and Coleman Pro Rodeo, placed second at Okotoks and Cranbrook, and placed at multiple other professional rodeos.
What has been your most memorable run this year, and what made it memorable for you?
Olds Pro Rodeo would have been the most memorable run this year. We got to run in the dark and Bling had worked amazing! Plus I got to do a victory lap on the Fjord, it was so much fun!
What was different about your rodeo season this year compared to last year or other seasons?
This year I started out on a few different horses. I ran Little Sexcee Cowboy aka “Archie” at the start of the season while Bling healed from her injury. I got to end the season on Bling!
Did you face any challenges this season? Tell us about them.
One of the challenges I faced this season was when Bling was injured. It was hard seeing something you have so much love for sitting on the side lines. I am very thankful my horses Archie and Ozona were there for me and pulled through while Bling healed.
Tell the readers something good that happened to you this season, other than placing at, or winning a rodeo.
I got to start my season off by living in Arizona for the winter/spring. Got to go to some rodeos, and futurities down there. And I got to ride my colts a lot. It was a lot of fun. My favourite part though was getting to ride with Rayel.
Who is your travelling partner, and what do you enjoy most about travelling with them?
Lady my dog is my traveling partner. She is the BEST dog I will ever have. Shes a very happy dog.
What is the best advice you’d give to readers, about horses and or competing?
To never give up and to work hard each day. I think the bonding and love for your horse is super important, as they don’t owe us anything.
Favourite Canadian rodeo this year, and why?
Armstrong is my favourite rodeo of the year. The crowd is always electric and the weather is so nice
Which of the other CFR Qualifiers horses would you swing a leg over if given the chance and why?
It’s hard to pick which horse. They are all amazing. But I’d love to ride Valor, Donna Kay Rules horse. I love his style. He’s just always been one of my favourite horses.
What products can you or your horse not live without on the road?
I love my Raylee Racer saddle. Couldn’t run/ride without it. My horses also love their Back On Track blankets and boots. I also love Vetline Electrolytes, I always feel safe traveling long distances with the horses or being able to run them knowing that their bodies will have a good recovery. Lastly I couldn’t go anywhere with my dog, Lady!!
Mental game; what do you do to stay sharp, and shake the nerves of competing?
My sister, Paige and I workout during the week. I do a lot of slow work with my horses. Which I think helps my mental game as I can trust my homework, to try and make that competitive run. It also helps having good people in my corner, always helping me try and be a better rider/trainer and making sure my horses feel good.
What is your coffee order?
I’m not much of a coffee person. I love Red Bull.
I would like to thank Rayel Little for the knowledge and kind words that she has given me. I am so lucky to have her help me become who I am today as a rider. Would also like to thank my mom for always being bossy and making sure I do things right! Also for always getting on my horses and fixing them or showing me what I need to do to improve. My sister for always being supportive and for making me go to the gym with her! I’d like to thank my sponsors for helping my horses and I this season. I sure am lucky to have such great people in my life to help make my dreams come true!
Frontier Western Shop, Back On Track Canada, Vetline Equine Canada, Vault Construction (Dan Forigo, Matt Deeprose, Geoff Smith), Anchor C Performance Horses, RenoVo AmnionSolutions, and Zesterra by Pro Animal Health, THANK YOU!
Check out past interviews with Taylor:
2022 CFR Interview
2022 CFR Champion Interview Video
2021 CFR Interview
