Although the competitor in her feels she could have performed a little better, Rylee McKenzie’s first showing at the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) in Edmonton was still something to be proud of.
“For my first time, I’m happy with how it went,” says McKenzie, just days after the national rodeo competition wrapped up.
It was a busy week for the local ladies barrel racer, who is used to being on the road. Competing close to home was a welcome change and allowed for some of McKenzie’s friends to watch her in action.
The CFR began on Nov. 9 with performances scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, matinee and evening performances on Saturday, and the final performance on Sunday.
McKenzie started off slow, placing in 11th after the first night. She then realized her horse, JL, was sore and decided to give JL a rest. She performed on Thursday with another horse, but finished in 12th.
A day’s rest is all JL needed and on Friday McKenzie grabbed fifth place and her first CFR cheque. A sixth place finish at Saturday’s matinee performance kept up the momentum, and McKenzie had her best finish on Saturday night, coming in fourth with a time of 14.880. She closed the rodeo with a fifth place finish on Sunday.
McKenzie earned $4,796 at the 2011 CFR.
“I was a little frustrated the first night,” says McKenzie. The event’s schedule was different than what the pro barrel racer is used to. Getting up at 7 a.m. and not returning to the hotel until midnight for nearly a week made it tiring.
Growing up, McKenzie says she had attended the CFR as a spectator, but being a competitor was a new experience. The long, narrow setup in Edmonton is different than what McKenzie is used to and she says it was tough to get a good arc on the first barrel because of the difference.
But, like any sport, competitors want to take part in the biggest events, and the CFR is one of those events.
Up next for McKenzie is a six-week break at home. She may head to Oklahoma in December, but is certain to be heading to Texas in January, where she’ll compete until April.
The major rodeos in Texas pay well, says McKenzie, and only take in the top 35 or 40 barrel racers in the world. McKenzie is ranked 35th in the world.
