With dirt from head to toe, tiny pink cowboy boots, and pigtails, I was without a doubt a 100% corn and beef fed country girl. Raised on a farm just outside the small town of Brighton, Colorado, I was blessed with what I’ve always believed is the perfect up-bringing; surrounded by cattle, chickens, pigs, dogs, cats, goats, and always my favorite, horses. Caring for all these animals meant lots of chores, but as long as I was working with them I was happy. This may explain my preference for cleaning stalls over dishes still to this current day. From the beginning of that country childhood, my preference has always been horses.
From my first horse on I knew that I was destined to become a big part of the horse world. That feeling was reinforced by a rare fully spotted buckskin Appaloosa. Bucky was defiantly one horse that the rest of the 4-h clover buds could pick on, but I was most proud of him. This was the lifestyle I wanted and needed. Horses became my pastime, and eventually they became my world.
As a child I refused to leave the house without cowboy boots and my belt, which I would change with each new buckle as I won them. Though I would get in trouble, I would occasionally slip out with a pair of spurs as well. With a name like Sami Jo and that wardrobe, I was not the average kid in school, but I knew my style represented who I was. I believe this is where my confidence began to shine through. As my classmates went home to cartoons and video games, I spent time with my horses and farm critters.
Time went on and styles changed; girlfriends began to wear makeup and follow the pop sensations of the month. I remained firm in my priorities with my horses and country lifestyle. My Mama has always said, “Horses helped keep her out of trouble, made her responsible, and kept her on the right path”. And mama knew how to use my passion for horses to keep me on the straight and narrow. All she had to do was threaten to ground me from my horses and instantly I would shape up to her standards. You see, I was always an independent kid. My father would say I was, “a wild child”, I would just call it “creative”. From jousting like a knight on horseback, to racing through the corn fields, I found plenty ways to stir up good ole outdoor fun.
I gained confidence early on and my path was set; no one could dissuade me from pursuing my dreams of spending my life with my horses. At the age of 11, I came upon a horse named Jesse that would change my life forever. Tattered and torn, with a long, tangled mane, fear in her eyes, and a damaged soul, she arrived on our farm. By the age of 4 she had already been passed around from home to home, never settling and never giving in to human contact. After bucking off previous owners time and time again she was brought to my older sister as a project. She was the most beautiful creature I had ever laid my eyes on. At first I thought destiny had brought Jesse and me together so I could help heal her soul. Later I would come to realize she and I were brought together so she could heal mine. We were destined to become a team so in tune with each other that both our lives would change forever.
She would stand in the back pen never leaving the corner for any reason, not for carrots or for apples, and for no reason would Jesse allow human contact. Oddly enough I was deeply drawn to her. This mare’s sad eyes and broken soul called me to get closer to her. After months of trying to catch her, she finally allowed me to rub her shoulder. I enjoyed the time I was allowed to connect with her, but I wanted more. Mama saw it in my eyes and forbid me to ever attempt to ride her.
I understand now that Mama had good reason to feel that way; I was her youngest child, and Jesse was considered a “crazy” mare. But in my heart I knew Jesse would not hurt me. That horse and I had so much in common. I disobeyed my Mama and mounted Jesse at a local gymkhana we just so happened to bring her along to. At the time I had been riding a family friend’s old western pleasure show gelding, Chester. He was an amazing gelding that baby sat me wonderfully, but I was so bored on him. He was so honest and a great teacher, but like most children I wanted excitement, so I conjured up a plan. I mounted Jesse and headed for the ring. After bucking to, around, and from every barrel Jesse and I clocked out in over a 3 minute barrel pattern. If I had used Chester, I could have made it pretty and smooth in a good 22 second run, which would have been solid enough for a ribbon, but if I had done that I would have missed one of the biggest moments of my life…wild Jesse and me out there in that ring. My daredevil reputation started at this point.
After that performance, no one expected that in just a month I would become competitive on Jesse. We began to enter many local shows, junior rodeos, and 4-H events, and we were winning! Just a few months before I could not even touch this horse and now she allowed me to ride her, and she and I were becoming a team. I say “allowed”, because I believe Jesse was never “broke” or gave up her heart to be ridden; she simply shared her heart with me and permitted me to enjoy her strength and energy. To this day, Jesse will occasionally give me a buck or two…She loves to buck! Jesse trusted me, leading us to a lifelong journey between best friends.
During that first pattern, a small spark of spirit and courage started a colossal fire of passion and devotion. I will never forget the best barrel pattern of my life, in which I received the slowest time of my career; 3 minutes.
As our journey moved forward we became a competitive rider and horse team. Our hearts were large and our times were fast. Soon Jesse and I found ourselves qualified for Little Britches World Finals, short go qualifiers, high school finals, and rising in the rankings. People loved to watch us run because it was not about me, or a high dollar horse. The rig we pulled up in was either that of a friend, and once Jesse was loaded with a stock contractor’s horses because I never had my own truck or trailer. Jesse and I in the ring was about way more than fancy trappings, it was about two underdogs winning rodeos as a team with nothing more than our indestructible connection to and passion for the sport. Our success and titles in the rodeo world came to us with a new respect, which was more important than any buckle, saddle or prize money. This was a respect earned for the heart and dedication us “little guys” had.
While Jesse and I were at the top of our game tragedy tore us apart. I was currently running CSHSR, CJRA, and some amateur rodeo circuits. I had just broken two arena records in two weeks when I found Jesse in her pen holding her left front leg up and refusing to walk on it. Jesse had broken her coffin bone in her left hoof, which would end her rodeo career. But even worse, I faced the unthinkable, veterinarians were advising me to put my best friend to rest.
In a last attempt to save Jesse, my good friend Jarrett Trembly, sacrificed some of his scholarship money, so we could take Jesse to see DMV Ken Nuenes of Longmont, Colorado. Dr. Nuenes worked very hard for Jesse and gave us a glimmer of hope. I would never ride her again, but all that mattered now was to save the life of the horse that had given her heart to me. After keeping Jesse confined to an 8x8 stall for ten months, the Doc was amazed at her recovery. He told us to allow her to pasture to give her room to move. We let her out and at first she walked, then she ran! She ran again without taking one bad step. The Doc told me I had a “miracle horse, which had beaten all odds”. Soon Jesse was released to ride again, and run again. I believe it was her heart that held her together and healed her. She loves to run and nothing was going to stop her.
After one year of recovery, Jesse and I were back in the arena, and stronger than ever! We began to rebuild our spot in the rodeo once again. Throughout the 2006 season we won eleven buckles and close to $4000 at local rodeos. In our second year back I was encouraged to take my career a step further and we bought our amateur cards. After a great Amateur pro rodeo rookie year I won 2007 CPRA Rookie of the year Barrel Racer, 2007 WRA Women’s Rookie of the Year and qualified for both finals. In 2009 I bought my WPRA Permit. I was nervous to become a barrel racer in the professional circuit, yet excited to be coming closer to my goal. After filling my permit with ease, in 2010 Jesse and I went on chasing cans, and our dreams in the rodeo arena. That season ended with our first WPRA Circuit finals qualification and the title of 2010 mountain States Circuit WPRA Rookie of the Year. 2011 and 2012 also brought me WPRA circuit finals qualifications along with WRA and CPRA Finals Qualifications. In 2012 we went a step further to the PRCA All American Finals, which requires being top 30 in the nation.
From the day I bought my card, we have been putting buckles on my belts, titles in our names, pictures on Mamas fireplace, checks in the bank, and memories in our hearts. After rodeo titles, series titles, numerous trips to both Pro and Amateur finals, state titles, and more, Jesse continues to lead me through a great career with my horses.
In the barrel racing world, the word “proven” rates higher than any title, this is why I am honored that Jesse and I are considered proven competitors. With success came recognition, and in 2012, at our 3rd consecutive MSCF, Jesse was presented with the best award a deserving horse could receive. You can win a world title, or “horse of the year” title, but Jesse was recognized by fellow WPRA competitors for her will, courage, and determination. As one of the oldest horses on the circuit, and one who has gone through many trials and tribulations, Jesse was awarded the “Horse with the Most Heart” award. To me, this is the most prestigious award she can be given. Like “the Little Engine That Could”, Jesse was noticed as the little horse that did.
I owe much of my success in rodeo to this beautiful creature. Though she is rarely in the trailer with me now, she is helping a younger, up-and-coming barrel racer learn the ropes. I am honored every time I watch them compete together.
If you want a lasting career in rodeo you quickly learn that you will ride multiple horses, and I have had the pleasure to ride many talented horses and share with them everything Jesse has taught me. I recently seasoned a phenomenal horse that added great success to my rodeo career. All my horses have been amazing in their own way. Fireball became my mount after Jesse. She was an outstanding mare, athletic and strong, after I seasoned her to a CPRA Finals Qualification, WPRA Finals Qualification, Multiple WPRA Checks won and she fond memories, she is now teaching another youth rider the ropes in Little Britches, and High School Rodeo. I am now Riding Baby Don’t Dual a young fiery horse that has all the potential in the world. “Annie” is a 10-year-old proven working cow horse that is loving her new job barrel racing. Last year was her first year competing and we qualified for WRA finals with rodeo wins, and a successful “rookie” year for her. Though She is my front runner, I still have multiple successful horses behind me helping me pursue my rodeo career. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to work with so many amazing athletes.
I later started a career and a business caring for the athletes in my industry Dark Horse Equine. I am a certified equine massage therapist, acupressure therapist, equine sports therapist and muscle adjustment therapist. I absolutely love treating these horses and keeping them competing at their best. Being a certified Animal Sports Therapist is incredibly beneficial to my training program and rodeo career, as all my horses and clients horses are maintained healthy and competition fit.
There have been many people behind me from the start, and even though that start was as an underdog, my support team is now large and growing. With so many people and business behind me, my thanks would make up an extended letter that includes our vets, farriers, equine health team, Dark Horse Equine, family, friends, and so many more.
But my biggest thanks go out to my best friend and my hero, my horse, Jesse. The horse that had been doubted from birth became the miracle horse and a legend. Her heart to run and desire to please has inspired me in every aspect of my life. Together we have made it through the toughest times with dedication and will. In using these simple qualities I have learned that the battles through my life can be won, mountains can be conquered, and I can succeed. I will succeed. Jesse’s heart has proven to me that anyone can make it; anyone can become anything they desire. Each time she runs she displays freedom, faith, and the defiance of 100 to 1 odds. And now I run for all these odds as well. I will always be in debt to this wonderful creature for all she has taught me, and helped set me on the path to big dreams.
Every minute in or out of the arena, Jesse reminds me to never take anything for granted. I hope with our story we can inspire others that with a strong will for life and the strength to push on, you can win. To lead toward a stronger well-lived life is worth more than any gold buckle. My experiences with Jesse have inspired me with the self-determination and the drive to be everything I have ever wanted to be.
I look forward to applying everything she taught me about life to a rodeo trail long-lived and thriving.