A barrel racer is looking for some déjŕ vu all over again.
Millarville’s Toni Dixon was able to cash a cheque at the 2015 Okotoks Pro Rodeo to help secure an eventual spot in the Canadian Final Rodeo. She’d like to cash even a bigger cheque this weekend in Okotoks if possible.
“If I can do a repeat from last year, I will be absolutely thrilled,” Dixon said. “We have very good riders in Canada and we have Americans that come that have good horses.
“Every rodeo you go to counts and you have to do the best you can do if your goal is to go to the Canadian finals.”
Dixon is sitting unofficially in 11th place in the Canadian Pro Rodeo Association standings with $12,976 as of Aug. 19.
With the top 12 getting the invite to Edmonton for the CFR in November, Dixon would like some breathing room with just a few weeks left in the season.
Dixon won $600 at last year’s Okotoks rodeo en route to making her first appearance at the CFR.
The Okotoks rodeo has added meaning for Dixon as it is a stop on the Cinch Pro Rodeo Canada Series, a group of rodeos within the Canadian Pro Rodeo circuit.
“Okotoks is a key rodeo because people want to get to the Cinch final,” Dixon said. “The other thing is we have been running outside and this is the first one back indoors.
“It really shows the versatility of the horse – it showcases good horses.”
Her horse Muffin has received a promotion of sorts.
“Another name we call her is ‘Super Cupcake,’” Dixon said with a laugh.
Muffin had a history of not performing well at arenas similar to the one in Okotoks, which doesn’t have an alley for a running start. The horses start virtually standing at one end of the arena.
Muffin’s problem was iced last year with the strong finish at the Murray Arena.
The Okotoks rodeo will have the very best at the Murray, as it is the lone rodeo on CPRA circuit this weekend.
Usually, rodeo athletes are driving across western Canada on weekends to get to events.
She said having the rodeo just a few minutes from home, is easy on her and Muffin.
“It’s wonderful to have your friends come out and watch,” Dixon said. “It’s also much easier on the horses. She doesn’t have to travel so far.”
Dixon didn’t exactly get a hometown draw. She is in the slack after Friday’s performance.
No complaints though.
“I appreciate the Okotoks Rodeo Committee putting on a rodeo,” she said.
Dixon was able to add some money to her account by finishing third and picking up $793 in Jasper last weekend.
A shorter gait
A high-quality horse will get a rest when a top 10 barrel racer tries Finding Dory’s legs in Okotoks.
“I am going to run one of my mares in Okotoks, I have to start finding a good indoor horse,” said Turner Valley’s Kerilee Noval. “Dory seems to be my best horse for the little small pens right now. Dory is a little smaller and can gain some speed quicker.
“There’s not a lot of room in Okotoks to run to your first barrel (at the Murray), so you need a horse that can accelerate faster.”
Her primary horse, Bully, has put the 2011 Holy Trinity Academy grad in prime position. Noval sits unofficially in ninth spot with $13,760 in the CPRA standings.
Not that she worries about it.
“I don’t look at the standings — whatever happens, happens,” said Noval, who made it to the CFR in 2014. “I’ve been saving Bully, she’s only been in nine rodeos… It seems to be working well.”
It’s about quality not quantity for Bully.
The 12-year-old horse won approximately $11,000 at the Ponoka Stampede on the Canada Day weekend. She more recently picked up $1,320 at the LaCrete Rodeo on Aug. 9-10.
Noval won $127 last weekend in Cranbrook.
Like Dixon, Noval is enthusiastic about being so close to home this weekend.
She will run in the slack in Okotoks. That’s both a good thing and a bad thing for Dory.
“It’s probably a little better for her because she hasn’t been to a lot of rodeos,” she said. “But the whole point of seasoning her, is to get her used to the crowds too. It’s all part of the learning process for her.”
Longview’s Kendra Edey remains in the hunt as she sat in 21st spot in the standings with $7,545. She will climb up the standings as she won $1,294 last weekend. Okotoks’ Deb Guelly is 37th.
The Okotoks Pro Rodeo runs Friday and Saturday night at 7 p.m. Sunday’s performance is at noon. For ticket information go to okotoksprorodeo.com
