Mary Walker WNFR 2016
Mary Walker is no stranger to the National Finals Rodeo, but she is a fresh face on Lipstick & Cowboy Boots. The Ennis, Texas resident had a smokin’ 2016 season where she finished in 3rd position after 75 rodeos and $$112,815.95.
Walker won $2,534.42 from Denver, CO, $4,623.98 in San Angelo, Tx, won the 1st go, average and final round in Tuscon, AZ for over $7000, she dominated all three rounds of her Super Series at Houston taking home $3000 in each, $4,2847 in Kissimmee, FL, $2,564.32 in Rosenberg, TX, $3,294.70 at Lewiston, ID, $2.942.20 in Pueblo, CO, and $2,052.96 in Kalispell, MT. Those are just rodeos where she won over $2000, I didn’t include those under $2k.
If you live under a rock and are unfamiliar with Walker, she is married to 16-time Wrangler NFR Steer Wrestling Qualifier and 1981 World Champion Byron Walker. On April 23, 2011 Mary lost her only son in a car accident. Just over a month later Mary and Perculatin (Latte) fell at a barrel race. Mary was confined to a wheelchair for four months after receiving surgery. She had eight plates and eleven pins to stabilize her hip that she had broken in three places. She had also shattered her pelvis, had two fractured vertebrae and broke two toes. It wasn’t long after her rehab that she began to set her sights on the 2012 National Finals Rodeo. In 2012 Mary not only made the Wrangler NFR, she won the World with a total of $274,233.28 won. If that doesn’t give you chills, I don’t know what will.
Perculatin aka. Latte is a 2004 gelding out of Dash for Perks and Curiocity Corners, a Silver Lucky Buck mare.
Do Latte & Bojangles have any quirks?
Latte has a lot of strange things he does: he always rubs his left front leg when you warm him up. He doesn’t like white lead ropes. He walks all over you. He doesn’t do that to men just woman. He likes his water as soon as he gets through running. I sold Bojangles but some of his strange things were he would not go into a strange stall or wash rack. You would have to back him in. And of course he loved his butt scratched and would about run over you to get it scratched. His new owner is now dealing with the same thing.
How would you describe their style?
Both horses are push style horses. Very smooth and long strides. Both horses are very responsive to whatever you want them to do. If you ever even whisper the word “whoa” they will stop immediately.
What are your favorite bloodlines for barrel racing?I am not to big on bloodlines. I think if the horse has the mind and the heart it takes to make a rodeo horse it really doesn’t make that big of a difference.
With all the miles made, varying ground conditions, and expenses, what kept the NFR dream alive for you?
Dreaming of making the NFR takes a lot of dedication. When you work as hard as it takes you can’t quit. You are usually only to get that great horse once in a life time so you should take advantage and just make it work.
We all know that being competitive takes mental strength. What do you do to keep a sharp mental edge in the game of rodeo? Do you do anything before a run to keep your nerves in check?Before my runs I have usually spent all day preparing for that run. You have practiced and made sure everything is good so when the time comes you have already run it thru your head so everything comes pretty natural. I try not to get over excited. Take some deep breaths and get to myself and don’t watch anyone else.
Mary with Canadian Finals Rodeo qualifier & Calgary Stampede board member Toni Dixon
What is your go to product or therapy for keeping your horses sound for the season?
My Ice-vibe boots from Horseware is my always go to. I make sure Latte legs a properly taking care of after his runs. I use Platinum Performance everyday In his feed. It keeps him healthy and his coat is always shiny.
What is the best advice you’ve ever been given regarding barrel racing?
Take the wins as well as the losses. It can be and up and down roller coaster.
What would you like to see be done in the industry to better rodeo as a sport?
Being able to better rodeo as a sport is to always look professional so that our younger generation has something to look up to. It all starts in the junior division and teaching them to become the best athletes we can will help them to be.
