Cassidy Kruse WNFR 2015
Gillette Wyoming cowgirl Cassidy Kruse has had an outstanding 2015 season. She has qualified for RFD-TV’s The AMERICAN Semi-Finals in Fort Worth Texas, and is headed to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in eighth position with $81,345 to her name. With a phenomenal payout at the WNFR, Kruse could end her year with over $100,000 to her name.
Kruse will be hauling three horses with her to Las Vegas. JKR Assured Win (Dashes Emblem x Princely Dash) “JJ” a 14 year old gelding. Guys Dashing Girl (Frenchmans Guy x Dash Ta Fame mare) “Ellie” a 9 year old mare, and Dash To Tim aka “Scooter” who is a full brother to JJ. Scooter is who Kruse won the American Qualifier on.
You won Silesia, Montana American Qualifier by 2 tenths on Dash to Tim which sends you to the American Semi Finals, plus qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo! Has all of this set in yet? How does it feel?
It’s all finally starting to set in and become more real every day. I can’t believe that in almost a week I will be making my first run at the NFR! We are planning to leave in just a few short days, and it’s still just not enough time to pack and make sure everything is ready to go! It will be a whirlwind the whole time, but one that is well worth the countless hours of lost sleep and continuous going! Winning the American Qualifier on a horse that we raised and trained was such a great accomplishment! It has been wonderful knowing I will have three outstanding horses traveling with me to the finals and for the 2016 year.
What was your favorite rodeo in the 2015 season and why?
It is probably a toss-up between Reno, NV and Guymon, OK. I made some pretty decent runs there which is always good, but just the atmosphere that these rodeos put off are awesome and great to be around!
With all the miles driven, ups and downs, what keeps you motivated to go this year? What is your “Why”?
What kept me motivated to keep going this year was the goal my family and I set for ourselves this year, which was to make the NFR. There were multiple times I called home asking if I could come home and just hang it up and have a break. They would tell me, ‘No we have a goal for this year and you’re going to finish it.’ The reason why I do this is because rodeo is what gives me a drive to be better every day and to get up and go do something. It’s my job, but at the same time something I can enjoy doing and be around the best in the business while I do it!
What is your pre-NFR routine like with your horses?
Getting my horses prepared for the NFR was mainly just riding them every day, long trotting and loping, to make sure their lung capacity was built back up from being home and on a break. If there was a pool around my area I would have loved to take them there, but I did the best I could with what I had and it has always worked in the past.
Other than running down the alley at the T&M, what are you most looking forward to in Vegas?
I am looking forward to taking that first grand entry lap! I’ve been told that there is really nothing like your first one and it will just take your breath away. There’s no doubt that I’m sure that is exactly what it is going to do too. Also I will be very excited to get to meet so many new people and fans that have gotten close this year.
What is your favorite pair of Cowboy Boots & favorite Lipstick?
I love my Tanner Mark Boots that always keep my in style! They have me set up through all the rounds to match my outfits and I will be very stylish in them! They are awesome, make sure to check them out and give em my name! And I love my L’Oreal Paris lip colors! They are long lasting colors that can stay on for hours and look amazing!
