AQHA November/December 2016 Magazine Volume 16 Number 6 | Page 47

with a bit more of a handle and respect. I decided that I would try him and I rode him two days around the drums then took him to his first jackpot that weekend. He took to it so easily and was by far one of the easiest horses I've had to train and from then I knew that Barrel Racing is what he loved to do and he became my horse. We tried him Roping again and he is now also my favourite rope horse." Cheyenne commented on their preparation leading up to the ABHA National Finals. "Leading up to the finals I just took Joker and my other horses to as many barrel races and arenas I could, trying to get them used to all the different arenas and ground conditions ready for Tamworth." Cheyenne started in Barrel Racing at nine years old, she recalls,"I was lucky enough to ride an amazing buckskin horse named Rebel when I was nine. He was my parents favourite rope horse, but dad also trained him to barrel race. Rebel won me numerous titles, but the most memorable ones include my first Open Barrel Racing Title in the National Rodeo Association in 2010 and I had only just turned 14 at the end of the year. From there I won the NRA Open Title in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. He also qualified me for my first Australia Professional Rodeo Association Finals in 2012 on the Gold Coast which was the most amazing experience. I also won the Australian Professional Rodeo Association Junior All-Round Cowgirl Title and Barrel Racing Title in 2014. I was very fortunate to have had such a great horse to start my career and passion for barrel racing and the most supportive family driving me to all the rodeos and competitions to give me the best possible chance at being successful." AQHA Incentives $1000'S of $$$ up for grabs Patsy Holder Classic-Cheyenne Whitwell & Peptos Royal Doc Placing 4th in the Junior 1D was Jade Tribe and Radical Sabbatical –Q58759 earning them runner up fastest financial registered Quarter horse, taking home an AQHA Rug. Nichole Fitzpatrick and Just a Busy Cat –Q-61107 not only won the 1st Division with an average time of 17.340 – Just a Bust Cat also took home the $250.00 bonus for the being the fastest registered financial Quarter Horse sponsored by AQHA. Wendy Caban 2nd Patsie Holder Patsie Holder Memorial Classic Barrel Race. Winner of the Fastest Registered Quarter Horse $1000.00 Bonus placing 1st in this event, was Cheyenne Whitwell riding Peptos Royal DOC – Q-68919. Winner of the $500.00, Breeder of the fastest Registered Quarter Horse bonus was Mathea Usher – Peptos Royal Doc – Q68919. Placing 5th in the Junior 1D was Oliva Webb and Morn N Te – Q-61176 and also second Runner Up fastest financial Registered Quarter horse, winning them a bag full of AQHA merchandise. AQHA Youth Barrel Race November • December • 2016 • The Australian Quarter Horse Magazine • Page 47