Traci MacDonald - CFR 2023
In the 2023 Canadian Professional Rodeo Association season, Traci MacDonald had won Innisfail, Kennedy, Rockyford, and placed at numerous other rodeos throughout the year, pocketing $16,897.06. She finished just $700.84 behind 12th place cowgirl, Stacey Ruzicka, after both had placed in Edmonton, the last rodeo of the year. It was a battle to the finish line!
On October 27th, Traci MacDonald received a phone call she was not expecting.
She was told that Dona Kay Rule had turned out of the Canadian Finals Rodeo, which was just five days away, and that Traci was next in line to fill the spot.
Traci told Lipstick and Cowboy Boots, “I was just so shocked. Then the panic of, I have so much to do with not much time to do it in. But very thankful and excited for the call.”
CFR49 is Traci’s fourth qualification.
Main Mounts registered name, barn name, pedigree:
Foxys Mine 8 year old gelding barn name Ralph. He is by Ninety Nine Goldmine out of Foxy Crime*.
I also ran Foxy Fiona (Shawnee Bug Leo x Foxy Crime) 7 year old mare, and Foxy Boldt (A Streak Of Fling X Foxy Crime) 5 year old mare.
*Foxy Crime was Traci’s great mare that she rode at the 2008 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
What is your main mounts back story;
I raised and trained all the horses I compete on. Foxys Mine was always very easy and trainable. He was extremely spooky when he was younger. I could never time only or go slow because he would spook at everything. Thankfully, he's outgrown that.
What quirks does your horse have, and what quirks would you say that you have?
Foxys Mine isn't actually very quirky, he's just a big kind gelding. Fiona on the other hand paws, has no patience, is always on go mode, pretty ornery and opinionated, and loves her buddies. I love her anyways.
I don't have any quirks.
What has been your most memorable run this year, and what made it memorable for you?
I would probably have to say Innisfail. It's just such a fun rodeo. My daughter, Raya was with me, and she got so excited. It was exciting just to witness her excitement.
What was different about your rodeo season this year compared to last year or other seasons?
This is the first time in a long time that I went this hard. I had no intention of really going all season either, my plans at the beginning were to concentrate on the futurities. When I started picking away winning money, my family really wanted me to keep entering and try for the CFR. When I ended up 13th, I felt like I had let them down, and that was the hardest.
Did you face any challenges this season? Tell us about them.
I think my biggest challenge was just trying to juggle work and family being on the road. And just keeping horses healthy.
Tell the readers something good that happened to you this season, other than placing at, or winning a rodeo.
Oh man that's a tough one. I felt like the whole season was good. Even when things were going bad in the arena, it’s still fun being on the road doing what I love around people that have the same love of the sport.
Who is your travelling partner, and what do you enjoy most about travelling with them?
I mostly travel by myself with my daughter, Raya. She is very entertaining!
What is the best advice you’d give to readers, about horses and or competing?
Always put your horse first. Believe in yourself, and trust your training.
Favourite Canadian rodeo this year, and why?
I'm not sure I could pick a favourite, there so many great rodeos in Canada. I feel like the people that put them on all try hard and do it because they love rodeo.
Which of the other CFR Qualifiers horses would you swing a leg over if given the chance and why?
I think Taylor Manning’s Bling would be fun. She looks like she tries so hard and loves her job.
Who has been your barrel racing/rodeo mentor and what is something they’ve taught you?
My mom has for sure been my biggest influence. She taught me lots when I was younger . She has always had a lot of confidence in me.
What products can you or your horse not live without on the road?
I actually don't think there is anything I have to have. I think I've just had the mindset you make the best with what you have.
Mental game; what do you do to stay sharp, and shake the nerves of competing?
I have no mental game, I should probably work on that. I don't really get nervous, excited yes, but not nervous.
What is your coffee order?
I'm the pickiest person to get coffee for. I like Tims dark roast but don't trust them with the cream. I have to do it myself so it's just perfect. (maybe that's my only quirk.)
I'd like to thank all the rodeo committees, the CPRA board and directors, as well as everyone behind the scenes. Thank you to the people that bought tickets all year to support their local rodeos. I would also like to thank my friends and family that supported me throughout the season, as well as my Vets Mike Scott, Jen Fowlie, Stanton Equine as well as my farrier, Justin Buhler.
