Bailee Novotny , November 7

Tell us about your family. There is my dad John and mom Tammy, who used to rodeo until they had kids.  They have provided my sisters and I with all that we needed to be able to rodeo. There is Annie who is 19 and loves to rodeo. She made the circuit finals and the NRA finals this year, and then there is Allie who is turning 15.  She also made the NRA finals, and she is a ballerina.

Tell us about your horse(s) (age, personality, where you got them, etc). Mixer is 14, and he is my barrel horse we got him from Darcy Anderson; and then my rope horse is Lafawnduh.  She is 8, and we got her from the Lufkins.  My colt, Marsha, is 3, and my fiancé Travis bought her for me this summer.  Also, Dusty is a 7 year old that we heel and breakaway on that my grandpa bought for me.

What do you feed your horse? Mixer gets EngeryX, Safechoice and CetylM, and Lafawnduh gets whole oats.

What are your other interests besides riding horses? Well, right now I’m in the dental program at Sheridan College, so I guess you could say teeth.  I also like to watch football on Sunday’s.

What’s the coolest place you have ever been and why? The coolest place I have ever been would probably be Hawaii.  It was the best family vacation we have gone on, and our whole family had so much fun.  Also, we left Montana when it was blizzarding.

Which reality TV show do you think you would do the best on and why? The Hills….haha, I just really like the show, but I don’t think I could be on any reality show.

Do you have any superstitions or rituals before you run? I always say a prayer.

Milk chocolate or dark chocolate? Def milk chocolate!

How did you get started riding horses? My family has always been involved in rodeo, and we live on a ranch so I started riding when I was a baby.

What do you listen to while you’re driving? I switch channels because I don’t like listening to commercials.

What food(s) do you absolutely refuse to eat? Steamed veggies 

What do you do to stay awake when you are driving? Make the person in the passenger seat stay awake too…Annie!

Did you play any sports in high school or college? Nope, just rodeo

Are you a morning person or a night owl? I’m good in the morning, but I can stay up late also.

What kind of saddle do you ride in? Ammerman barrel saddle and a Corriente rope saddle

Who are your rodeo idols? My parents

Where did you grow up? Helena, MT

Do you prefer mares or geldings and why? Def mares they have more heart and try!

Do you like a particular bloodline or cross? Yes, Jet Deck and Dash for Cash, something with run but still some cow also.

What style of horse do you prefer for barrel racing and breakaway roping (small or large, free runner or push, quick or long- stride, etc)? I can get along with either because I have had both for barrel racing, but if I had to chose I would say free runner with a long stride, and for breakaway a small quick stride and fast stopper.

Do you raise and train your own horses? In the past we have just bought started horses, but now we have bought colts to start ourselves.

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Torie Briese, November 8

Tell us about your family. My mom, Laura, has taught me everything I know, and she is my biggest fan.  My dad’s name is Chuck, and he has also helped me out a lot.  I have and older sister, Angie, but she does not rodeo or have anything to do with horses.

Tell us about your horse(s) (age, personality, where you got them, etc). I have 5 horses “Muffin” is 19.  I got her about 8 yrs ago.  She has taught me a lot. “Scooby” is 12.  I got him as a 2yr old.  “Fancy” is 5, and I got her when she was 3.  “Spirit” is 6.  I got her when she was 5, and “Paris” is a 4 year old mare I got as a yearling.

What do you feed your horse? Alfalfa hay and Omolene 200

What are your other interests besides riding horses? Being with friends and family

What’s the coolest place you have ever been and why? I loved Texas - the weather and you could barrel race everyday.

Which reality TV show do you think you would do the best on and why? I think me and my friends need to have our own reality tv show.  Our lives are pretty drama filled.

Do you have any superstitions or rituals before you run? No, not really.

Milk chocolate or dark chocolate? Milk chocolate

How did you get started riding horses? I’ve been around them my whole life.

What do you listen to while you’re driving? My iPod – Country, hip hop, and pop mostly.

What food(s) do you absolutely refuse to eat? I hate onions.

What do you do to stay awake when you are driving? I mostly don’t stay awake.

Did you play any sports in high school or college? I was home schooled in high school, so no sports. 

Are you a morning person or a night owl? I like night better.

What kind of saddle do you ride in? Either CJ Scamper or Courts

Who are your rodeo idols? Anyone who follows their dreams

Where did you grow up? Helena, MT

Do you prefer mares or geldings and why? Mares - I think they have huge hearts.

Do you like a particular bloodline or cross? Not so much, just whatever works.

What style of horse do you prefer (small or large, free runner or push, quick or long- stride, etc)? Probably push, but I’ve ridden all kinds.

Do you raise and train your own horses? Train them yes