PG . 34
AQHA FEATURE ~ RODEO
Courtney and ‘ Steel Famous ’ - Photo ‘ Lexi Smith Media ’ winning Australian Barrel Racing and All Round titles . They made the open ABCRA Finals , before Dusty McPhee finally bought him . Training , competing and winning on Beaver fuelled this cowgirl ’ s passion for America and Futurity horse ownership .
BLAKE , MY BROTHER . . .
To live in the USA and be involved in the world of Barrel Racing was a dream of Courtney ’ s . In April , 2016 , she initially went for two months , returning home in June . She loved America and was planning to return — but then — her world turned upside-down .
‘ Juvenile Amateur Champion Presentation ’ BFA World Championships - Steel Famous , Courtney & Brittany Pozzi-Tonozzi ’ Photo - Kenneth Springer
‘ On September 1st , my brother , Blake , passed away in a car crash . Up until then he ’ d amazingly won 13 Australian Titles — including Australian Champion All Round Cowboy , Team Roping Header , Team Roping Heeler , Steer Wrestling , Junior Breakaway and Junior Steer Rider . Blake truly was ‘ my person ’ growing up . Still today , at 28 , I look up to him more than anyone , and if I could thank just one person , it would be Blake . I wouldn ’ t be able to do what I ’ m doing now without the courage and confidence he gave , and still gives me . He
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