Barrel racer Kelsey Wood, who is set to call Landmark home, recently finished first in the Denim and Dust Barrel Racing Series 3D, a huge accomplishment, and something Wood is looking to build on.
Back to the beginning
Before detailing her latest win, Wood reflected on her start in rodeo. "I was a young gal, I guess I started off in pony club when I was about 13, so I did a lot of jumping, and eventing. I transitioned later on to western discipline, just kind self taught, my sister and I just riding horses at the farm, and participating in local fairs. It blossomed from there."
Growing up, Wood admits she wasn't ultra competitive, but as she got more into rode, she admits to gaining more of that edge. "I wouldn't say I was a super competitive person," she says with a chuckle. "But, I would say as I've gotten older, I've always had like the dream to become more of a hardcore competitor, I guess you could say. Recently, it's grown more than ever."
Dedicating to barrel racing
Once Wood started to get into barrel racing, she says it all fell into place pretty naturally. "A few years ago, maybe three or four years ago, it was something that I decided I wanted to get into. I had a horse that was not so thrilled to get into it, so I just kind of slowly waded into the sport, doing more training than anything with my own horses. This past year, this summer, I used my partners horse to gain some confidence, and really put myself out there. I had to get past the nervousness, and the mental road blocks more than anything that I had developed over the years with the wrong horse, trying to make them into my dream barrel racing horses that they just didn't want to be. This last year, I've dedicated to it, and it's been a growing experience, for sure."
Right horse at the right time
After going through a stretch where rider and horse never seemed to fully mesh, Wood says things are clicking with her now horse, and a real partnership is forming. "It's been really interesting. It's not my horse, it's my partners, and at first, I was a little reluctant to ride him, because he's a rope horse. I didn't want to pull his focus from that, but I brought him to a couple of barrel races, the jackpots, and I was very surprised with how well he did. From there, I thought that maybe it would be fun summer for us. Throughout the summer, we just did these jackpots, building our relationship from there, and it all has just clicked. It's become a lot of fun, and I think he enjoys himself, too."
Preparing for a run, Wood laughs when explaining what's going through her mind as she gets ready to go. "I would say, not much, to be honest," she chuckles. "I just try and think about my training, how I can better my turns, stay straight and centered as I'm going around them. Focused on going around the barrel, having a nice run, and whatever comes after, it's kind of a bonus."
Buckling up
At her most recent event, Wood says she had a fantastic run, but was still surprised to hear her name called as winner at the Denim and Dust 3D category. "Oh my gosh, I was shocked," she says with a laugh. "I couldn't believe it when they called my name for first. It might only be the 3D, but it was still like, going from having these dreams and hopes, and maybe thinking next year, or next year it'll happen, but then this summer, it went from confidence boosting, to winning that. I got a really nice belt buckle. I was pleasantly surprised, shocked, and emotional, actually. I was just so happy, it as great."
Bright future
The latest win has provided Wood with a jolt of energy and belief, something she wants to carry forward as she continues to grow in the sport of barrel racing. "I'm addicted now," she says with big grin. "Even if the wins don't come, it's about personal bests, improving my relationships with the horses, and improving my knowledge in the sport. I'm relatively new to it, so lots to learn, and lots to grow on for sure."
Rodeo people are like no other
Wood says a unique thing when it comes to people of the rodeo, the ones you're competing against tend to be your biggest cheerleaders, and that support for one another means the world to the riders, Wood included. "It's unbelievable. I've had life long support from friends, but it was once I started riding more in the southeast, I've been surrounded by a great community of girls, people that are happy to see you do your best, trying to achieve your personal best. Everybody is cheering each other on, and it means so much to know those type of people are out there. Everybody is friends, even though we're competing against each other. There's just so much love, and I'm just really appreciative of that, for sure."