Winners Circle: Peyton Rose

                Article by: Jackie Gudmundson 

The WBRA is in the business of producing champions. There have been barrel racers, such as Kelli (Fletcher) Currin and Amy (Dale) Coelho, who started their successful barrel racing careers in the WBRA and have gone on to compete at the National Finals Rodeo. Competing as one of the top 15 in the world is an accomplishment that is the dream for most girls who have ever run barrels.  As for the WBRA’s 2009 Jr Division Champion, Peyton Rose wants just that. With her third WBRA Junior division championship under her belt, Peyton is determined to make that dream a reality.                                                                                      

Family Ties

The older of two girls, Peyton born in Spokane, to Roy and Rebecca Rose on January 13, 1997. Roy and Rebecca Rose, both accomplished competitors in their own right, are very involved in the sport of rodeo. Roy serves on the board of directors and is a judge for the Pro-West and Rebecca serves as the Youth/Junior Director for the WBRA.

“Normal” Life

When other kids are hitting the lake or shopping malls, Peyton attends to the work that needs to be done around the house, aside from her daily horse duties. Peyton spends 4 days a week riding, in addition to spending most weekends away from home competing. She also plays volleyball for Deer Park Middle School. At a young age, Peyton is learning the value of balance in her life. Peyton feels, ”life is "normal" because that is all that I know.  Other kids that I go to school with think that I am busy all of the time.” Peyton, although young in numbers, is well beyond her years, realizing that with all the opportunities she has been given, she also has learned the value of responsibility that surrounds the world of horses and barrel racing. That is a tall order for a 12-year-old kid.

Using her Gift

Although summertime is prime barrel racing season, Peyton takes the time to share her gift of horses.  She works at the local co-op helping kids that don’t have horses of their own, teaching them the benefits and the responsibilities involved in owning your own horse.

Inspirations

Many little girls that run barrels look to the stars in find role models; Peyton doesn’t have to look that far. Peyton is quick to note her mom, Rebecca as well as Cheyenne Allan as her inspirations to barrel race. She also praises her family for always being there to cheer her on.

A lil girl and her horse

Peyton’s main mount is Illusion of Good Friday or just “Friday”, is a 9-year-old Ruby River Roan bred mare. Born and raised on the Rose Ranch, she has been a family project with mom Rebecca putting in the time to train her and Peyton later taking her to the pay window. Not only is “Friday” a proven barrel horse, she is an accomplished pole horse as well. “Friday” has a special place in Peyton’s heart, she is her first “real” barrel horse and they have had a chance to grow together in and out of the arena. And for that, Peyton finds her deserving of “lots of horse cookies”

Future plans

Peyton is working her way through the ranks and doing it with success.  She is currently leading the Washington State Wrangler Jr High in the barrel racing and rooking of the year standings. 2010, is a big step in Peyton’s quest for top, she is taking out her full membership in the WBRA and the Pro-West. She will be one to watch in the Rookie of the Year standings.

A determined and focused young girl, Peyton is always looking to better herself. With her dad as a great coach, Peyton plans to work on her roping skills in the upcoming year and spend time seasoning a 4 year old that she has been working on.

We all need to remember the name Peyton Rose; I believe we have just heard the beginning of the great things to come in this young lady’s life.

Winners Circle: Katy Bremner

                Article by: Jackie Gudmundson 

50 years ago, a group of women came together to form the Washington Barrel Racing Association, with a goal to promote the sport of barrel racing in the state of Washington. Today, the WBRA is going strong and proving itself as a place where the elite still compete. Oct 3-4, in Ritzville, Washington’s top barrel racers competed for top honor at this year’s WBRA finals.

Although the wind put a chill on everyone’s bones, Katy Bremner and her great mare “Olive” were on fire. Coming off a Pro-West Finals and Year End championship, Katy swept the competition winning both go-rounds to win the open average. Adding to her total earnings, undoubtedly won her 3^rd WBRA year-end title.

Early Years

Born in Wenatchee, the daughter of Richard and Diane Miller. Katy and her younger sister Rose grew up on a feedlot outside Moses Lake.  Katy graduated from Ephrata High School in 1995, the year after she earned a National High School Finals Rodeo Championship in the barrel racing aboard her mom’s legendary gelding “Snuffy”

Chores

When your family owns and operates a feedlot, you learn the value of hard work early on in life. Katy was no exception to this, her and her sister spent the long, hot summer months, working cows, branding, doctoring and riding pens for sick cows. 

Family Ties

Katy met husband of 9 years, Gerry, while they were attending college in Walla Walla . They have one daughter, Kassidy who will be 3 in February. Gerry, once an avid competitor, now stays closer to home and ropes when he has a chance. He also helps drive when his schedule allows. Lil Kassidy is already following the family tradition as a successful barrel racer, riding Katy’s old barrel horse “Stanley” and already bringing home awards. (Gerry’s mom is Lynn Bremner, who currently is the WBRA secretary/treasure and his cousin is Jolene Douglas-Hoburg the current WBRA awards director)

Education

After high school, Katy earned her AA degree from Walla Walla Community College and later graduated from Central Washington University with a bachelors of arts in teaching. While attending college, Katy led the Lady Wildcats rodeo team, winning a regional barrel racing championship in 1999. She is using her degree in education substituting at Kittitas Elementary School. She hopes to get a full time job when her daughter Kassidy goes to school.

Creating a legacy

“Olive” or Smart Little Shay as known by the AQHA, is an 11 year old mare, sired by Lenas Wright On out of a Colonel Freckles/Doc O’Lena bred mare Just Plain Sugari. To read her pedigree, you would think she would be famous in the reined cow horse pen, with her sire being a multiple time world champion in that event. However, the barrel racing arena is where she has started her own legacy. Katy’s parents, Richard and Diane bought “Olive” already stated on the barrels in 2002. A little overlooked in the pasture, Katy decided to take the reins when her horse “Twist” was having a hard time finding his winning form following a tendon injury. In 2006, Katy, while pregnant with Kassidy, decided to make “Olive” her sole mount. With her unique style, “Olive” has the uncanny ability to excel in any condition.  A trait that distinguishes her from the rest of the field

Secret to success

With numerous, year-end and average titles to her name, Katy is the epitome of consistency. She follows the same ritual every time she prepares for a run. She is not hampered by pressure or hindered by common superstitions. She is a true champion. When you ask her about her secret to success, she is quick to take the spotlight off herself and credit the great teachers who surround her. Giving special recognition to her mom, Diane.

Future plans

Katy plans to continue to rodeo and barrel race. She has a few three year olds coming up that she is excited about. Katy is a tough competitor that you can always count on to give a strong performance and I am assured we will see her in the winner’s circle for years to come.