Name: Dee Haugen Born: Bozeman, MT 3-16-77 Residence: Sturgis, SD Status: married Family: Tyler, steer wrestler, daughter, Landry, 6 ½ yrs old, daughter, Arina, 2 ½ yrs old Member of the WPRA since: 1998 Accomplishments: My biggest accomplishment is my little girls. I've also worked every event at every level and have won High School, College, and Amateur titles. I have also won alot at the Barrel Futurities. Some of the most memorable include setting a new record at the college finals in the goat tying, and winning the year end in the Breakaway in the NRCA and the SDRA finals. (Photo by Rick Madsen)

1. What do you do for a living? My husband and I own DeTye Vet Supply and we breed and raise performance horses.

2. What do you enjoy doing outside of riding? Taking pictures. I'm self taught and do all the pictures for our business catalog and have also started a website. The girls keep us busy, but we like to stop and smell the roses.

3. How did you get started in rodeo? I grew up on 1000 head ranch in middle of nowhere. My parents rodeod, my dad was a bronc rider and my mom barrel raced, so I grew up at rodeos. I competed in high school rodeo and attended the University of Wyoming on a full rodeo scholarship.

4. What is your horse's name? How old is he or she? Smores, an 8 year old gelding. He is an own son of Dashin Is Easy and was raised by Jack Brooks. We took him to one futurity his 5 yr. old year and then he did not see a barrel again until last spring and won money at his 2nd pro rodeo. My dad bought him as a 2 yr old, and my husband Tyler trained him to haze, in fact he still does occasionally.

5. How would you describe his/her style? He really lays down the first barrel. I thought he was way too big at first, but he is such a pleaser and can really cover a lot of ground.

6. Does he/she have any quirks that make them unique? He is real calm. I can have my little girl in the saddle with me right before I make my run and then as soon as I'm done, put her right back in the saddle with me. My friends joke that he is like a puppy dog.

7. What is your riding regiment during rodeo season? I just long trot in the pasture. I feel less is best. I may do slow work on the barrels once a week at the most.

8. Do you have any superstitions or quirks when competing? I never leave money laying on the counter and I don't put my hat on the bed.

9. Do you have any hauling partners? My husband and I buddy together and then some other bull doggers. We have a semi and a 5 horse trailer, and we always have a full rig and a great group that we go with.

10. What is your favorite rodeo to compete at? Salinas, CA. I like the 3 runs on the track with an open gate and I love going to the ocean.

11. What is something that people would be surprised to learn about you? I was High School Rodeo Queen the year after I won the High School All Around title. My mom always wanted me to do it and promised me a new 20X hat and ostrich cowboy boots, so I did it. I was a rather unique contestant, in that I was very accomplished in the rodeo arena.

12. What is your goal for this rodeo season? Would like to make the circuit finals and season my horse. I would like to go to some of the bigger rodeos next year.

Want to learn more about Dee, visit her websites…
www.detye.com
www.highoncorona.com
deehaugen.zenfolio.com

Name: Michele Witt Born: Valentine, NE 11/1/70 Residence: Valentine, NE Status: married Family: husband, John, daughter, Bailey, 10 years old, son, Rhett, 8 years old Member of the WPRA since: 2002 Accomplishments: 2006 Badland Permit Finals, Reserve Average Champion

1. What do you do for a living? I'm a family physician.

2. What do you enjoy doing outside of riding? Playing ball with my kids, and riding colts. I also enjoy taking my kids to Jr. rodeo, my daughter is riding my good horse this year.

3. How did you get started in rodeo? I was born into it. My dad competed in the PRCA and amateur rodeos. As the oldest of 4 kids, I was his traveling partner, helping him stay awake while driving at night. I competed in Little Britches, high school, and amateur rodeo before joining the WPRA. I am very proud that my brother Sean Mulligan is a several time NFR qualifier in the steer wrestling.

4. What is your horse's name? How old is he or she? Win N Firewater, aka Windsor, a 12 year old gelding and Streakin Irish Whiskey, aka Gus, a 4 year old gelding, and Dashers Baby Doll, aka Brandy, an 8 year old mare.

5. How would you describe his/her style? They are all free runners. I love my horses that way.

6. Does he/she have any quirks that make them unique? Windsor is a gentleman, that is why I can let my daughter ride him. Gus is a character.

7. What is your riding regiment during rodeo season? I ride every other day and my daughter is old enough now to ride once or twice a week for me. I usually long trot for 30 min. and only do limited pattern work.

8. Do you have any superstitions or quirks when competing? I still believe in not wearing yellow in the arena. My brother, Sean Mulligan, says its bad luck to shave, but I don't follow that one :

9. Do you have any hauling partners? Samantha Flannery, Rose Hildebrandt, and Kathy Hammond.

10. What is your favorite rodeo to compete at? Ponca, NE, and Clear Lake, SD.

11. What is something that people would be surprised to learn about you? I would like to someday compete at Cheyenne, WY and Pendleton, OR.

12. What is your goal for this rodeo season? Bring my young horses along and get to some rodeos

Name: Tamra Musik Born: Virgil, SD 1/14 Residence: Virgil, SD Status: single Family: son, Cody, 21 years old, daughter, Cassidy, 15 years old, daughter, Tierney, 10 years old Member of the WPRA since: 1997 Accomplishments: 2008 Badlands Circuit Year-End Champion, 2008 Badlands Circuit Finals Champion, 2008 DNCFR Qualifier, 2008, won Rapid City, SD, 2007, 4th in Average at WPRA All Women's Finals (Photo by Alisha Barry www.chutinflicks.com)

1. What do you do for a living? I work Sand Creek Animal Vet Clinic.

2. What do you enjoy doing outside of riding? Outside of riding not much time left because my daughters are very active in sports, so I stay very busy hauling them to all of their activities.

3. How did you get started in rodeo? My mom and dad competed in rodeo. My mom is a 3 time Badlands Circuit Champion. Growing up I competed in 4-H, Little Britches, and high school rodeo.

4. What is your horse's name? How old is he or she? Frost Till Sundown, aka Frosty, a 15 year old gelding.

5. How would you describe his/her style? He likes to be left alone, so you don't have to do much.

6. Does he/she have any quirks that make them unique? I get teased a lot, everyone says he is like a dog. I can let him loose for hours at the rodeo grounds and he doesn't bother anyone. I just whistle and he comes right back to me. He has a very unique personality.

7. What is your riding regiment during rodeo season? I ride twice a week and give him a day off after a rodeo.

8. Do you have any superstitions or quirks when competing? No, not really.

9. Do you have any hauling partners? I normally go with my daughters and our dogs. I try to enter them in other rodeos while we are on the road so they can compete too.

10. What is your favorite rodeo to compete at? Clear Lake, SD, because of fans. The seats are on the side hills with the arena down in the valley and the crowd gets wild.

11. What is your goal for this rodeo season? My daughter is going to be running my rodeo horse at her high school rodeos this year. My ultimate goal would be for me to qualify for the circuit finals and my daughter qualify for the High School National Finals on my horse.

Name: Amanda Lauing Born: Forth Smith, AR 1/14/85 Residence: Blunt, SD Status: Married Family: husband, JD and 4 wonderful dogs whom act like my kids! Member of the WPRA since: 2003 Accomplishments: 2009 Top 25 in Badlands Circuit, 2008 SDRA finalist, CO NBHA State Finalist, finished 3rd in SD NBHA state finals, 3 time Youth World NBHA Qualifier, and placed at several rodeos

1. What do you do for a living? I am currently going back to school to get my teaching license, so for the time being, I am working as a teachers aid in a first grade classroom while doing my student teaching.

2. What do you enjoy doing outside of riding? I enjoy hanging out with my family, traveling, training horses, taking photographs and running. I also enjoy helping my husband with his hunting business.

3. How did you get started in rodeo? I have always grown up with horses and actually started showing horses when I was 8 and then became a member of the pony club and struck an interest in dressage and hunter jumping. While growing up Kristie Peterson was our neighbor so I often rode with her and Jordan and found my love for barrel racing. It was Toni Hardin whom got me started in NBHA and later in the training of my own horses. I competed in the NBHA Colorado Junior Rodeo Association and Colorado High School Rodeo where I also did goat tying and pole bending. I then moved on to Chadron State College in Nebraska, where I was an avid member on the rodeo team and competed in barrel racing. I have only ridden one horse that was not started on the barrels by me and that is something that I cherish deeply. I have put a lot of hard work into my horses and when they accomplish great things for you it's even more of a reward.

4. What is your horse's name? How old is he or she? Sparky's Steel Cord, aka Easy, a 14 yr. old mare and KK Country Cougar, aka Crawford, a 7 yr. old gelding. I also have two up and coming prospects, Smarty and Flit who I will be running at the futurities this year.

5. How would you describe his/her style? They are both pretty ratey, all you have to do is get them to their point and let them do their work. They are pretty level headed horses.

6. Does he/she have any quirks that make them unique? Crawford in very personable and loves attention, he is definitely a people pleaser. Easy just wants' to do her job and be done, she has been one of the smoothest horses I have ever run, she hardly every makes mistakes.

7. What is your riding regiment during rodeo season? I try to ride 5-6 days a week, depending on our rodeo schedule. I usually give my horses a day off when we return from our rodeo/barrel race. This past year, both of my horses got hurt so, I'm hoping to get to go this year.

8. Do you have any superstitions or quirks when competing? No, not really. I just try to relax and have fun!

9. Do you have any hauling partners? Sherri Cass is who I mainly traveled with and sometimes we have hauled with Stephanie O'Connell.

10. What is your favorite rodeo to compete at? Colorado Springs, CO. I really like the big open arena, and they have nice facilities. It's kind of like my hometown rodeo.

11. What is something that people would be surprised to learn about you? I used to be a rodeo queen, more specifically, the Girl of the West. It was definitely an awesome experience and I met a lot of great people.

12. What is your goal for this rodeo season? I would like to make it to the Circuit Finals and run my two younger horses at the futurities this fall. But my main goal is to keep all of us healthy.

Name: Heidi Uecker-Schmidt Born: Hettinger, ND, 11-17-83 Residence: Belfield, ND Status: Married Family: husband, Joe Schmidt (calf roper), 2 dogs Member of the WPRA since: 2003 Accomplishments: Badlands Circuit Finals qualifier (2008), Badlands Circuit top 25 the last 5 years, College Finals qualifier, 2x NDHSRA All-Around Cowgirl

1. What do you do for a living? I'm a hearing instrument specialist with Miracle Ear.

2. What do you enjoy doing outside of riding? I'm an avid football and basketball fan and I also enjoy hunting. In fact, I just got a nice buck :)

3. How did you get started in rodeo? I showed horses when I was younger, but it was too slow for me. My dad always had cattle and my mom loved horses, so I went on from there. I could not have done any of this without my parents continued support. My mom will do anything I need. If I do not have anyone to travel with one weekend, she will load up and go! Their support is great!

4. What is your horse's name? How old is he or she? My main horse is More French Lumas aka, Thunder. He is a 13 year old gelding trained by Gale Beebe and Mike Slater. I also have Miss No Brakes aka, Missie. She is an 8 year old mare Gale started and Futuritied for me. I have gone on with her from there. Nancy's First Image, aka Muskrat, is my other mare. She is also 8 years old and I trained her. As you can tell both Gale Beebe and Mike Slater have been very instrumental in teaching me about barrel racing and helping with my horses. They are always helpful and even though I have worked with them for 15 years, I still learn something every time I am around them.

5. How would you describe his/her style? Thunder has been every style. He started as a very free runner, but now he has turned into a horse you can be a little more aggressive on. I just have to be in the right position.

6. Does he/she have any quirks that make them unique? Lots. He is very tough, in fact he is the toughest horse I've ever been around. He feels a little too good when it is cold out, but for the most part he is all business.

7. What is your riding regiment during rodeo season? If I will be gone for the weekend, I give the day off before we go, and the day off when we get home. Other than that, I exercise or pony every other day. The younger horses get worked on barrels, but not my finished horse.

8. Do you have any superstitions or quirks when competing? I try to do everything the same every time. I figure if it works, keep doing it. I don't put my hat on bed, no one does that do they? :

9. Do you have any hauling partners? Gale Beebe, Hope Sickler and my husband Joe. In the last year I have gone more with my husband, but I miss traveling with the girls sometimes!

10. What is your favorite rodeo to compete at? Denver, CO. The atmosphere is incredible. Even the weekday performances were packed and very exciting. I also really like Mandan, ND. The committee is great and it is a good show.

11. What is something that people would be surprised to learn about you? I earned my Masters Degree in Health Care Management.

12. What is your goal for this rodeo season? To give my young horses some more outs and make it to the circuit finals

Name: Jennifer Meyer Born: Lakeville, MN 3/30/78 Residence: Dickinson, ND Status: Married Family: Husband, Will (steer wrestler), sons, Evan, 4 yrs. old and Redmond, 2 yrs. old Member of the WPRA since: 2007 Accomplishments: Filled permit in first two rodeos entered, placed in top 25 in Badlands Circuit last two years, placed at Deadwood, Top 10 finalist in WPRA World Finals 2010.

1. What do you do for a living? I'm a chiropractor.

2. What do you enjoy doing outside of riding? Working, riding and taking care of two little boys takes up most free time! I would love to go to the lake more when time permits, maybe even try having a garden or golfing might be fun.

3. Name something that most people don't know about you? I drink diet coke on the weekends!

4. How did you get started in rodeo? My older sister competed in high school rodeo and when I was 15 my younger brother decided to start riding broncs and that sparked an interest for me to compete. I really didn't ride much until then.

5. What has been your greatest accomplishment? Owning a horse that is competitive enough to compete at pro-rodeos. I was thrilled to place at Deadwood, SD this year. To compete against women who do this for a living and be lucky enough to have a horse that can put together a run to win with them is beyond my wildest expectations.

6. Do you have any superstitions or quirks when competing? I have the same routine for warming my horse up. I start early in case have to switch back to Mom mode and change a diaper before I run.

7. What is your favorite rodeo to compete at? My horse loves running under the lights and in good ground, so if they have those two things, we are very happy.

8. Do you have any hauling partners? Who? I only started really hauling last summer. My favorite is going with my husband and kids but Will prefers to stay closer to home. So last summer I started traveling with Jessica Routier. She taught me a lot as she has two kids the same age as mine and you need a few tricks to rodeo with little kids. We have a lot of fun bringing our kids on the road. Britney Fleck traveled with us last summer and this summer we went with Amy Holmes who proved to be a GREAT kid entertainer.

9. What is your favorite rodeo memory? Last summer we left the youngest boy with my in-laws and took Evan to the Mandan slack at 7 am. We got there late so I just threw Evan on his pony with only his jammies on- no boots. The slack took FOREVER but Evan was a trooper, he sat on his pony and watched all the bulldoggin, barrel racing, and his favorite- the calf roping. He looked so cute!

10. What is your horse's name? How old is he or she? Liz's Dash, aka "Brown". He is a 13 year old gelding that my husband's family raised. My husband ranched on him and then used him to haze and team rope on. After some major coaxing he let me start him on barrels. Tess Hansen helped me a ton as he was the first successful horse I've trained. This year for my birthday, my mother and father-in law gave him to me They wrapped a headstall, bit and little brown horse figurine with the figure four on his hip-then made bets on if I would get the meaning of it.

11. How would you describe his/her style? He is a push horse. I think he is easy to ride and he pretty much trained himself.

12. Does he/she have any quirks that make them a unique partner? When I'm stretching him I massage his neck and poll area- when I do this he uses his chin to grab my backside and hug me into his shoulder.

13. What is your riding regiment during rodeo season? I try to long trot 3-4 times a week depending on when we leave for the weekend. I usually only do slow work at a rodeo but not very often. I give him a day off before we leave and when we get home.

14. What is your goal for this rodeo season? Make the Badlands Circuit Finals. I couldn't do this without my the outstanding hauling partners-the constant review of runs on our all night hauls :), Tess Hansen, my very own personal coach, Dr. Scott Cammack DVM - Sturgis SD, for answering his phone 24/7, Brady Hanna, farrier-Rapid City SD, my in-laws for giving me Brown, and most of all the unconditional support from my husband and boys.

Name: Jessica Holmes Born: Spearfish, SD, 1985 Residence: Rapid City, SD, grew up in Buffalo, SD Status: Married Family: Casey Holmes, husband, team roper and cutter Member of the WPRA since: 2003 Accomplishments: 2 time Badlands Circuit Finals qualifier, South Dakota Rodeo Association and Northwest Ranch Cowboys Association All Around Champion and Barrel Racing Champion, College National Breakaway Champion, College Regional All Around Champion, Breakaway Champion and Goat Tying Champion, National High School All Around Reserve Champion, 2 time National High School Pole Bending Champion, won 2 trailers and 1 truck.

6. Do you have any superstitions or quirks when competing? Not really anymore, trying to grow out of it.

7. What is your favorite rodeo to compete at? Rapid City, SD. Both the range days and stock show & rodeo are very fun. I also like the Badland Circuit Finals rodeo.

8. Do you have any hauling partners? Yes, several. This year I have mostly traveled with Melinda Mattson and my sister, Joey Painter. Sometimes I go with my cousin-in-law, Jessica Routier and my sister-in-law, Amy Holmes.

9. What is your favorite rodeo memory? Traveling with my sister last summer and qualifying for the Circuit Finals together. It was very special to have her there.

10. What is your horse's name? How old is he or she?
MFR Goldie Frost, aka "Angel". She is a 7 year old mare.

11. How would you describe his/her style? She makes the same trip every time and tries really hard. She is sort of a push horse, and she rates the turn pretty hard. I have had her since she was a colt and have trained her myself.

12. Does he/she have any quirks that make them a unique partner? No, she is super easy going and nice to be around. She has made me love mares.

April Hanby-Zilverberg….

April has been a member of the WPRA since 1996.

Background/Accomplishments: Former Australian breakaway champion in the Australian Bushman's Camp Draft, 1996 tie down champion.

1. What is your greatest accomplishment?
My Australian horses that we have raised and trained.

2. What are your goals for this rodeo season?
I would like to go back to the WPRA finals this year and focus on my team roping and become a better heeler.

3. What do you enjoy doing outside of your horses?
My horses is my job we ranch, my husband trains horses and of course looking after my kids.

4. Do you have someone special that you admire?
My mother; I lost her two years ago. She taught me to believe in myself and live my dreams.

5. Name something that most people don't know about you?
I try to encourage and teach girls here in South Dakota and in Australia to rodeo and rope! My Mom rode bulls so she taught me that women can do anything and I try to share that message. That is why the WPRA/GRA was started originally and I believe that we need to continue to carry on with that mindset.

6. Do you have any superstitions or quirks when competing?
No I don't.

7. How do you travel to/from rodeos?
With my husband and family.

8. What is your horse's name?
I ride many horses, the main horses I compete on are Yo, Hick and Betty Boop.

9. How old are they?
Yo is 16 years old, Hick is 7 years old and Betty Boop is my daughters horse she is 18.

10. What makes them special?
They are all from Australia, they have frequent flyer miles. : It is not quite as expensive to take a horse out of Australia, however to move a horse from the states to Australia is quite extensive and expensive. Australia is a small island and we don't have many diseases so horses brought into our county have to be quarantined and tested rigorously.

11. Describe one of your horses?
Betty Boop has won me thousands of dollars! My daughter has ridden her since she was one year old. She is the safest horse ever!

12. Does she have any quirks that make him a unique partner?
She hates to be caught.

13. What do you do to give your horse the 'edge' on the competition?
We work them on the ranch! Whether they are worth $500 or $25,000 they work and work hard!! This makes them better and stronger horses physically and mentally!

Cindy Baltezore
Background/Accomplishments: She is a big supporter of the WPRA, she has served 2 terms as a Circuit Director, and Asst. Director, qualified for the Circuit Finals most every year in the 1980’s on different horses and qualified for the DNCFR.

1. What is your greatest accomplishment?
I won the Northern Region Futurity Derby Champion as well as having a successful Futurity year.

2. Do you have any goals for this rodeo season?
I am looking forward to going to rodeos with my daughter and 5 year old grandson this summer.

3. What do you do outside of your horses when you are not competing?
My family and I train and raise barrel horses. We stand 2 stallions, one is in the WPRA PESI program currently, and 2 of our colts have succeeded at the Circuit Finals.

4. Do you have someone special that you admire?
I have so many it is difficult to narrow the list!

5. Name something that most people don’t know about you?
I spend my winters in Oklahoma so that I can ride and compete.

6. Do you have any superstitions or quirks when competing?
Yes… Everything has to occur in a sequence when I compete but most of all I insist on having ample hat pins rather than a stampede string. I will not wear yellow to compete or lay a hat on the bed either!

7. How do you travel to/from rodeos?
With my family currently but years ago I travelled with a WPRA partner.

8. What is your horse’s name you are competing on?
Bart

9. How old is he?
7 Year old Stallion

10. What makes him special?
He is an amazing athlete; he is thrilling to ride as he is SO powerful. He definitely keeps me wanting to continue to go out there and compete!!

11. How would you describe his style?
He is a big horse but is quick and caddy unlike most big horses. He has the typical butt dragging Dash Ta Fame style.

12. Does he have any quirks that make them a unique partner?
He really does not have a quirky nature, he is not like a typical stud, and he is quite laid back.

13. What do you do to give your horse the ‘edge’ on the competition?
Bart receives oxygen daily and prior to competition, he is pretty much maintenance free. I do work hard at keeping his shoes on as he pulls those frequently because of the way he uses himself.

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