Vanessa Leggett - CFR50
Vanessa Leggett has qualified for her first Canadian Finals Rodeo this year after entering 37 rodeos and pocketing $22,413.30. She finished the regular season in eighth position. Her win at Langley helped secure her CFR qualification. She also won Cloverdale, split the win at Rockyford, and placed 6th in the long-go at Ponoka, qualifying for her first Ponoka Short Go! She competed on Hagans Charger Fling aka Whiskey, and Things Are Lookin Up aka Looker.
This interview is presented by Epp Financial. Insurance, Investments, Travel, Group & Health Benefits. Helping those from the rural way of life!
What is it that makes your horse so special to you?
Both horses are home raised and trained by my mom and I so they have been in the family since babies and are very special to us! I love that Whiskey is a businessman, he is so consistent. And Looker is my rocket, he is freaky fast and can handle those huge outdoor pens. I've never had a horse like that before!
What has been your most memorable run in 2024, and what made it memorable for you?
I think my run at Langley was very memorable, because It qualified me for my first Canadian Finals. It was a lot of pressure and the stakes were high! Whiskey felt amazing that day and the run was so smooth.
What was different about your rodeo season this year compared to last year or other seasons?
This year I learned a lot about my horses and how to manage them better, both horses felt the best they ever have this year! And last year I finished the season In 13th place just shy of qualifying to finals so this year feels pretty amazing to finish strong!
Did you face any challenges this season? Tell us about them.
Some challenges this year have been with Whiskey struggling with his allergies and bleeding and then a couple rodeo entering hiccups.
Tell the readers something good that happened to you this season, other than placing at, or winning a rodeo.
I had a lot of great lake days in between rodeos and got to watch a foal be born this spring!
Who is your travelling partner, and what do you enjoy most about travelling with them?
This year I travelled with my mom. It's nice just to have company on the long hauls, we have the same taste in food, music, audio books, and how to take care of the horses on the road so it works great!
What is the best advice you’d give to readers, about horses and or competing?
Always have a great trusting relationship with your vet and your farrier! Always put your horse first, trust the process!
Favourite Canadian rodeo this year, and why?
This year was probably the Ponoka Stampede, it feels like the biggest, most daunting rodeo of the year and this year I felt like I finally had a horse up to the challenge who exceeded my expectations by a million. I was so proud of Looker and to hold up against some of the toughest girls in the world felt pretty amazing!
Which of the other CFR Qualifiers horses would you swing a leg over if given the chance and why?
Famey any day! She looks so fun to ride and so dang honest, always tries her heart out!
What can you or your horse not live without on the road?
Definitely can't go anywhere without my dog Boonie! But I always have a really good vet/supplies bag that seems to grow bigger every year! Also loved having the Alliance Equine SMB boots and magnetic sheet with me!
Mental game; how do you stay mentally strong in the rodeo game, with many ups and downs?
I always do a lot of energy work before my runs or when I get too excited. I have a close friend who coaches me and my horses how to stay focused and grounded and that always seems to work for me! Also just lots of deep breathing and doing things that are relaxing, my go to is usually an audio book I can get lost in! Try not to overthink too much.
Do you have plans of heading south this winter? If so, what does this look like for you, where do you plan on entering?
I would love to go south for the entire winter but I might just try to go to Arizona in the early spring and compete at some WPRA rodeos there to get the horses in shape!
Do you have any up and coming prospects, and or, what do you look for in a prospect that you could share a little about with readers?
My mom and I have several.. but for next year we will have two 5 year olds that both seem very promising! I personally like a good running bred horse, anything over 15 hands. I look for a really great proven broodmare but I like both parents to have stats. It's not as common to see rodeo stats on stallions I find!
What was one thing a committee did this year that you appreciated the most?
There have been several committees this year who worked very very hard at improving their ground. I like when the committees ask for feedback and will listen to concerns! I also like when committees are stead fast and consistent so you know what to expect before you get there!
Who is your inspiration or mentor and why?
My inspiration this year is probably Emily Beisel. She is an amazing person to talk to and is so talented. She also takes amazing care of her horses! Carman Pozzobon has also been a long time Mentor for me and is always willing to reach out and help/ support me in any way she can! And of course my mom will always be my mentor/inspiration!
What is your advice for someone who wants to take a shot at making the Canadian Finals Rodeo?
I just kept working hard for it until the very end of the season, I had lots of ups and downs but I just believed I could do it! Don't ever give up! Also how you enter a rodeo is a big part of success, ask someone who has done it lots to coach you on entering!
Thank you to my family and friends for always being so supportive!! And thank you to my sponsors!!
Triple G Farms and Michael Glaciar, Core Equine - Rebecca and Tristan Williams, Alliance Equine, Leading Edge Equine Sports Therapy - Tiffany Burns, Special FX Equine Performance Products - Courtney Chanin, Marion Hutton Energy Medicine, the entire team at Energy Equine Vet - Chad Hewlett and Bailey Smith, Willow Holms my BC Vet, and my farrier Justin Buhler.
