very best you can. Everybody’s out there trying to beat you or trying to beat the other girls. I’m not that way; I can’t be that way. I’m too old. Just do your job, and if it materializes, halleluiah. I have a great horse for the outdoor pens.” Yes, she does, and Three handled the climate change from her Washington home to the base of Pikes Peak. “What’s interesting is that with last year being our first year there, I wasn’t sure how everything would go with the higher elevation,” she said. “I was tickled with the way he was performing. I was in the same group with (2021 world champion) Jordon Briggs, and my time and her time were really similar. That told me something about him.” Allan knows she has something of a star in Three. He’s the reason she won the
Cheyenne Allan will make her way back to the foothills of Pikes Peak to compete in the NFR Open as the defending champion. She is hoping for the same success she had in 2022. She will be representing the Columbia River Circuit. Photo by Brian Gauck
She’s done that sort of thing before, winning Pendleton, Oregon, in consecutive years and being the Columbia River Circuit year-end titlist in 2021 and 2022 to earn successive berths to the national championship. “It’s a great privilege,” said Allan of Mabton, Washington. “Anybody that makes it to Colorado Springs for this has got to be very good in their event, blessed by God and know it’s a privilege to go there. In the barrel racing world, the caliber of horses and riders are top notch. “It’s like going to the National Finals Rodeo. A select few – and there’s a reason why they’re selected – have proven themselves in their circuits. I’m looking forward to it.” Last July, she placed in the second round and finished third in the two-run aggregate to earn a shot at the semifinals in the tournament- style competition. She then shot into the top four, where she and her mount, RCA Royal Flush, posted the fastest run of the week, 17.04, to secure the top spot. In all, she collected more than $16,000 on the back of her speedy red racer she calls Three, a 10-year-old sorrel gelding by Not a Bad Deal out of In Honor of Sandy. “I’m looking forward to it,” she said. “The atmosphere of that rodeo, the committee, the people there … it’s top notch. I’ve never been to the NFR, but if there’s anything like the NFR, this is pretty close.” As it is with many in the field of 27 in each event, the NFR Open is their chance to prove their abilities and the talents of their equine partners on a major stage. Now in her 60s, the passion she has for barrel racing continues. She understands what is in front of her and thrives on enjoying the moments the sport provides her. “For me, I’m going in to do the best job I can do at the time,” Allan said. “Last year, being the first time there and being able to win it was a blessing from God. When I made it back to the short-go, I wasn’t expecting anything. I’m glad they moved it to Colorado over Florida because it’s a bigger, outside pen. “I go into every rodeo, every setup as a new day and try to do the
national title in 2022, and he’s the reason she’ll be back in contention to do so again, but she’s also a jockey that knows how to set up her horse and make him work better. “He’s bred to be able to do what he does,” Allan said. “Every trainer will tell you that you are good because of the animal you are on. My husband loves breeding and genetics, and he breeds for speed and mind. If you don’t have those factors, you won’t float to the top. Randy has a good eye for ability and seeing what is going to be a winner.” Cheyenne Allan knows a little bit about that, too, because she keeps proving it year after year. Whether she can repeat as the national champion remains to be seen, but she’ll be in Colorado Springs to see what happens. Martha Angelone was all smiles after roping the NFR Open title in the breakaway roping its inaugural year as a featured event at the Circuit Finals. She is hoping to have a repeat performance in 2023 as she works to defend her world title as well. Photo by Brian Gauck
JULY 2023 WPRA NEWS 13
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