Macy was requested to be interviewed. I have lived in Florida 12 years now and have watched Macy grow up riding barrel horses with her Mom, Nicole Brown. I have to say watching her winning the last few years on her Halle, has been pretty impressive. They are a great team!

 

I asked Macy to share a little bit about Halle with us and this is what she had to say, "She is 8 years old, out of Fancy's Firewater and NonStop Drifter. We've have owned her since she was a 2 year old. My mom, Nicole Brown trained her. She gets all the credit for what she is today!"

 

Macy says, "Halle has been competing since she was a 4 year old. All I do is long trot during the week and work her around the barrels maybe twice a week. She is very easy going and a joy to ride. Nothing bothers her at all!"

I asked Macy how she warms her up at rodeos, jackpots and super shows, she shared; "At barrel races I just long trot, then when I lope her I keep her really supple and bendy tipping her nose while doing my circles. She's spoiled, I don't try to run her legs off. She gets ran aprox 4-5 times a month. I don't ever try running her twice in one day. Before a run I always pray first. Then I just think about my run over and over in my head, and what I need to do. I'm a very competitive person, but when it comes down to it I try and stay as consistent as possible with my horse and our runs."

Halle gets special care and feed, she is fed Horsemens Edge 12/8, alfalfa hay, Perktone & Morinda Care supplements. She is shod all the way around by a great farrier, David Paul who has been doing the Brown's horses for years. Her Chiropractor & Dentist is Will Croncich.

Macy shared how she feels about Halle; "Halle holds a special place in my heart and I feel so blessed to own her. She try's every time and does her job. What's so cool about her is she's gritty and likes to do her job in the arena and on the outside she's calm, sweet, and just a perfect animal. I wish I had a barn full of Halle's, but I'm blessed by God to have the one I have."

Macy has been riding barrel horses since she could walk. She says, "Well technically a long time considering my mom was riding with me in her belly! LOL, seriously though riding since I was about 3 years old and competing on barrel horses from about 5 or 6 years old."

Macy does school online and works at a construction company in her hometown. She rides Halle about 3 or 4 days a week. Macy says she was lucky to ride many nice barrel horses, since her Mom is a great trainer, but she feels what Halle and she has is something really special!

I asked Macy to share special memories racing Halle and how she handles the mental part of competition, it's pretty impressive; "The NBHA State Finals is my favorite show of the year, and I think Halle's favorite pen. Since watching my mom drag over a barrel 3 years ago on Halle and running a 14.3, I always feel very pressured to do good there. But I've had 2 great years on Halle at State, in 2010 I was 3rd in the youth out of 300 running a 14.5 winning almost $1,000, and 2011 I won $1,300 and qualified to the finals where I ran a 14.4. I try and keep my self calm each go round and just ride her each day the way I know how to ride her! I try and focus on my run by really staying calm and not so nervous so I can keep Halle less nervous as well, which she usually isn't nervous. She knows her job!"

 

Some other advice Macy offered; "I think the best thing you can do to become a better team with your horse is to never give up. Horse's aren't robots, they're going to have they're good days and there bad, just keep going!"

 

 

Macy loves the adrenaline rush and the urge to win in barrel racing! As far as Halle goes, she just LOVES everything about her! "I love the feeling pulling up to a barrel race knowing I am sitting on a good horse. No, she's not perfect but she definitely try's."
 

 

Macy shared a few more things that is important to her about winning not just in the arena but outside of it too: "I think everyone should be happy for everyone. Barrel racing is a tough sport with a lot of tough teams out there. It's not the same persons day to win every time. So every one should be grateful when they win and gracious when they don't."

 

Macy prefers competing to training. Training is more of a slow process which she enjoys getting young ones going, but being on a solid open horse and competing is much more fun to her!

I asked Macy to share who has been helpful in her barrel racing career and who she would like to thank and this is what she shared; "I would like to thank my Mom, Nicole Brown who is my number one mentor and supporter and who made Halle what she is today. With out her I wouldn't be the rider I am today and Halle wouldn't be the horse she is. Also my Dad, who has always supported my hobby. He doesn't get to many barrel races, but this year he was at NBHA State and it was a great feeling getting to have him watch Halle & I in the finals. Last but not least my good friend/sister Jessica Brantley-Rogowski, she has always supported me and been there every step. I have grown up with her since I was born. When she was 11 years old she ran by Mom's good bay horse "Farrah" while my mom was pregnant with me, that was in 1994, shes now 28 and married. So yes shes practically family! She always has faith in me and Halle, and shows me the biggest support. She also keeps me calm every year at State in the holding pen. I would also like to thank my farrier, David Paul, my chiropractor & dentist, Will Croncich and my family and friends.

 

Macy has big goals to someday make it to the NFR, on Halle, but for now she is going to give the WPRA Southeastern Circuit a shot in 2012. She hopes to win rookie of the year in the SE Circuit. She is very excited about going to rodeos this year.

Thank you Macy for a great interview, loved your advice for barrel racers and the way you look at life and racing! God Bless and may all of your dreams come true, you deserve them!

 

 

By Tina Spangler