Gayleen and husband Marty in Vegas 2008.

Tell us an interesting fact about your horse that we may not know. I raised, broke, and trained Lady Bee Sparkin. She is trained to breakaway rope and polebend, but never really competed on. Really likes cattle.

What is the one item in your tack room or barn that you would never want to be without? I would never be without my horseshoeing kit in my tack room or trailer. I learned to shoe horses from watching my dad. I don't shoe horses now, but I can put a shoe back on when an emergency

Give us the run down on your horse:
Bit: Ed Wright bit
Headgear: German martingale for running barrels
Saddle: Merrill Saddle from Three Forks Saddlery
Saddle pad: Wyngx saddle pad
Protective boots: Classic Equine wraps and bell boots for competition and for traveling, pads with pink leopard Classic Equine wraps, a gift from Shai McDonald a great young barrel racing friend.
Feed (Hay, grain, supplements): good alfalfa grass hay (first and second cutting) Purina Wellsolve L/S, Lubrysin, Oxycalm, and Moranda Care Performance

Training/conditioning routine during the week: I ride my horse out in the hills mostly, rope once a week, don't worry much about training, she has already been through that.

Warm-up before race: lope some circles, review some reining maneuvers, and be sure she is listening to me

What is your horse’s greatest strength? I can trust her

Biggest weakness? Gate issues. It is really hard to think about being fast when you have to start the race quiet! She is getting better.

What horse(s) are you going to be riding at the Circuit finals? I'm not sure at this time. I will take Bee for sure and and I may be running Milee's horse Rope, or my young horse Bling. What a great predicament!

If one weekend you could travel with anyone in history (living or dead) who would it be and why? Can't think of anyone I would like to travel with than Milee. My great friend Myrt Woosley is the best person I know to go along for the ride. She doesn't barrel race, but sure is fun and can help handle tough situations. We've been to Texas in the dead of winter, yes I mean bad roads, etc. all the way and back. We've been to Springfield, Illinois in 100+ temps with bugs and all the things that go with traveling through unknown territories.

If you could make a run on any other horse in the Montana Circuit what horse would you choose and why? Well of course I would choose Dutchess, Mandy Hamilton’s great horse. I doubt I could get out of her what Mandy does, but it would be a fun ride to try.

Who or what event has been the biggest influence in your rodeo career? One of the biggest influences in my rodeo career was Ron Bohleen. He was a calf roping neighbor that my husband and I hung out with when we were in college. There was always roping, chasing cows, and drinking coffee at the Bohleen's. My rodeo career has been a long, not so easy one. It is funny how much you can learn when you travel the road of life. I have always had the dream of being a good barrel racer. My kids are who got me on the road. It took High Winds Rodeo Association, High School, and College Rodeo trail with them to finally get to do what I do today. I truly love the sport of rodeo.