Kassie Mowry WNFR 2017
The number five barrel racer didn’t look at her calendar and think “I’m going to make a run for the WNFR in 2017.”
Kassie Mowry of Dublin, Texas has been training futurity horses and earlier in the season she chose to enter San Angelo to get out of “trainer mode.” Mowry and Girls Dig Fame placed 10th out of 200. She then went to the Diamonds and Dirt slot race winning $75,000. Back to San Angelo for the perf on Junior aka Firewatermakemehappy, where they won second in the round and qualified for the short go.
She then went to Louisiana for a futurity, and was to get on a plane back for the San Angelo short, but the plane was overbooked. A good samaritan stepped up, gave her his seat, and she went on to win $12,000 and a berth at Rodeo Houston.
Mowry then went on to win Houston and took home $60,000. She ended up running at just 25 rodeos in 2017 and earned $115,162.25. In Vegas this December, she will be running Firewater Make Me Happy (by Firewaterontherocks out of a Deep Note Jr mare)
What are your main mounts quirks?
I would not describe him as quirky. He just has a tendency to look around and is easily distracted.
What was your favourite rodeo this year and why?
I enjoyed the Calgary experience even though we did not perform as well as we hoped.
What is the best piece of advice you could give regarding barrel racing?
I believe it is imperative that you have to be willing to continuing learning no matter what level you are it. I also think knowing your horse and having him in top physical condition is critical.
If you were just starting out now, who would you train under, what clinics would you be taking? Who do your morals line up with?
I think it is best to take little bit of information from everyone and develop your own style.
We all know that being competitive takes mental strength. What do you do to keep a sharp mental edge in the game of rodeo and at the futurities? Do you do anything before a run to keep your nerves in check?
I just try and focus on that specific run and block out the last one or the next one. I also try and stay to myself and concentrate on what I want to do.
Under your program, what do you do when a horse feels off to you? Who/what therapies do you include in your program?
I am a big believer in having my horses looked at even when they do not feel off. Brazos Valley Equine is a key component of everything I do.
When shopping, what areas of conformation turn you off? What points of conformation do your prospects absolutely must have?
Headset is a huge deal for me. If I do not like the way a horse is made from the shoulders forward I will pass on it no matter what else I like about it..
What would you like to see be done in the industry to better barrel racing as a sport?
Good ground is almost a given at the futurities but it is not always the case at rodeos and regular barrel races. It is a tragedy to see horses like Sharin Hall’s perish at a world class event trying to please us as riders. Not only is it very sad for anyone in the sport it is a horrible representation of the sport for those outside of it.
This isn’t your first time headed to Vegas, what is your most memorable WNFR moment from the past, and what are you most excited for this time?
My most memorable moment from my last WNFR was actually making it. It was actually all downhill from there. I am excited about an opportunity to redeem myself and compete with the best rodeo horses going.
