Name: Kristina Calvert Born: Milan, IL, 6-7-83 Residence: Aledo, IL Status: married Family: husband, Aaron, steer wrestler Member of the WPRA since: 2007 Accomplishments: Filled permit last year Photo by Rick Madsen

1. What do you do for a living? Practice administrator for Heartland Dental Care.

2. What do you enjoy doing outside of riding? Spending time with my family, shopping, riding in the tractors with my husband picking and planting crops and attending church. I have two younger sisters that I've been helping learn to ride as well as riding and rodeoing with my older brother.

3. How did you get started in rodeo? My dad rodeoed and growing up I competed in 4-H, local shows, then Barrel Bash, IPRA, URA. I got my horse from Marlene McRae and she suggested joining the WPRA. Marlene and Doug McRae have been my mentors and have truly inspired me. Along with Donna Irvin who has helped me in many ways thru the past year to learn the rodeo circuit. I can't thank them and my family enough for their support.

4. What is your horse's name? How old is he or she? I have 3 horses, Lonesome Valentine, aka Cherry, a 10 year old gelding, Colorado Stray, aka Stray, a 12 year old gelding and I'm a Legal Kid, aka Kid, a 16 year old gelding.

5. How would you describe his/her style? They are all exactly alike, very free running. I just have to send them and talk to them through their turns. Stray and Kid are like freight trains when the run, at times I think I should just close my eyes. Cherry is very quick footed and can explode out of his turns.

6. Does he/she have any quirks that make them unique? Stray and Kid are all business they don't like to be messed with, but Cherry, loves attention.

7. What is your riding regiment during rodeo season? I ride 5 days a week. I have a 4 mile workout that I do with the horses daily. Once a week I do a run at home and once week I do slow work and exercises.

8. Do you have any superstitions or quirks when competing? I just run the pattern thru my head 6 times. I try to stay positive and have a clear mind. I usually stay focused and to myself until after my run.

9. Do you have any hauling partners? My husband Aaron, a steer wrestler who also filled his permit last year and pushes me to be the best I can be along with family and friends.

10. What is your favorite rodeo to compete at? Ft. Madison, IA, l love the crowd and seeing my run on the big screen. It is close to home, and as a kid I sat in the stands and dreamed of competing there and now it has become a reality.

11. What is something that people would be surprised to learn about you? I signed on to play college basketball, but could not play after two knee surgeries, which actually led to me riding more. Also, I'm 28 years old and have 12 and 15 year old sisters and a 28 year old brother. My mother and father are a huge part of my success they have always believed in me and when it is hot or cold they are helping work the arena, set barrels, or feed my horses. My mother and I are very picky about the horses and everything has to been done perfect with the exercise and feeding program.

12. What is your goal for this rodeo season? Continue to have horses fit and healthy and make the circuit finals

Name: Carm Schneider Born: La Moure ND, 10-1-63 Residence: Tomah, WI Status: married Family: husband, Tony (team roper and tie-down roper) Member of the WPRA since: 1980's Accomplishments: Wisconsin Ropers Association Breakaway and Team Roping Champion, Wisconsin Rodeo Cowboys Association Reserve Champion (against the guys :), 2010 WPRA 7th in the World in heading, 2009 Minnesota Rodeo Association All Around Champion, 2007 Minnesota Rodeo Association Finals Team Roping Champion with my husband Tony, Miss Rodeo North Dakota Winter Shows, United Rodeo Association top 15 in Team Roping and Breakaway, Wisconsin Rodeo Cowboys Association Top 10 Header and Breakaway Roper, Minnesota Rodeo Association top 15 in Team Roping and Breakaway Roping, 2000 developed the Wisconsin Rodeo Cowboys Association

1. What do you do for a living? I am a kinesio therapist. I care for our Nations Veterans through the VA Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Services.

2. What do you enjoy doing outside of riding? Bowling, bead work, leather work, all sports, raising calves, working with awards programs for various programs, and seeing the kids I work with doing well.

3. How did you get started in rodeo? When I was young my grandparents had a hand with raising me and their neighbors raised horses. Since my family didn't have anything to do with horses and I loved them so I would sneak over to them, feed them grass, petting them and one day I just happen to crawl on one with no one around, no halter or bridle. When the owners came I was having a ball riding. Boy did I get in trouble. Still didn't get a horse but got to go riding more. Received my first horse when I was 10, had to pedal my bike 10 miles to go take care of and ride. Like all little girls with a horse I started barrel racing, started playing with a rope in college, had no clue, my family and I learned as we went along. When Tony and I got married is when I actually learned how to rope. Then the barrels eventually took a back seat. We've been married 20 years now and both have our PRCA cards. He is my team roping partner at the PRCA rodeos, I head and he heels. I also breakaway rope.

4. What is your horse's name? How old is he or she? Yawl Speck of Cash, aka Specks, an 11 yr. old mare, Kings Rusty Verse, aka Rusty, a 12 yr. old gelding, and DH Badger Delux, aka Badger, a 13 yr. old gelding. Specks is actually bred to be a barrel horse, Azure Te and Dash for Cash. We bred, raised and trained Specks and Rusty, both being APHA, Leo, King, Versary Bars bred by our past stallion Hollys Dynasty. Badger we bought when he was 3.

5. How would you describe his/her style? Specks is a power house out of box. She likes to use her hind end. Rusty is a rodeo type horse. He's got a lot of gas to get to steer. All of my horses are really cowy.

6. Does he/she have any quirks that make them unique? If you wanted to pull a house, Badger would be your choice. He will pull until you ask him to stop. Rusty is a chicken. He doesn't want to hurt himself. Specks is an easy keeper like her owner :) Feeding her a slice of hay is like giving her a round bale.

7. What is your riding regiment during rodeo season? We ride every night. We give a lot of lessons to high school and junior Wrangler kids, so there is always someone roping every night.

8. Do you have any superstitions or quirks when competing? No 50 dollar bills. I try to follow the same regiment every time and be ready.

9. Do you have any hauling partners? My husband, Tony, Katie Milbauer and my nephew Zach.

10. What is your favorite rodeo to compete at? Manawa, WI, and Iron River, MN. Iron River is where I filled my PRCA permit. Pretty much any of the bigger rodeos with two go's.

11. What is something that people would be surprised to learn about you? That I'm a crafty person and very organized person. Also my age, I guess I hold it well. A lot of people don't believe that I was a rodeo queen.

12. What is your goal for this rodeo season? Try to make more all women's team ropings and qualify for the Circuit Finals in team roping with my husband. We have been close before, so we are still trying.

Name: Becky Nix Born: Stevens Point, WI 8/4/69 Residence: Springfield, IL Status: married Family: husband, Don, daughter, Bailey, 16 years old, competes in high school and little britches rodeo Member of the WPRA since: 1996

1. What do you do for a living? I manage a life insurance office.

2. What do you enjoy doing outside of riding? Snow skiing, snowboarding, and mountain biking. When my horse was hurt, I started doing 24hr mountain bike competitions. My friends joked that I went from one saddle to another.

3. How did you get started in rodeo? I grew up on a farm and always had horses and ponies. I tried horse shows and quickly determined western pleasure was not for me, but loved the speed classes. From there I went on to compete in Little Britches and High School rodeo. My area was particularly competitive, producing many national and future world champions.

4. What is your horse's name? How old is he or she? Wortheroatsingold, aka Lilly. She is a 7 year old mare that I have trained myself. In fact I like her so much that I leased her mother and now have a half sister to her.

5. How would you describe his/her style? She is bi-polar. On her fist run, she is a push horse, then by her second run, she is a free runner, almost a run away. She is learning though and I'm hopeful she will be a great horse.

6. Does he/she have any quirks that make them unique? She is fun to haul. She is very attentive and tries to please. She usually does what I want before I even ask her.

7. What is your riding regiment during rodeo season? I ride every day. I have seven barrel horses, so they keep me busy.

8. Do you have any superstitions or quirks when competing? No, I don't. I used to, but realized that I have to just make my best run and not worry about what other people have done. The more calm I am, the better she does, so I just stay focused.

9. Do you have any hauling partners? Just my daughter and our little yorkie, Benz.

10. What is your favorite rodeo to compete at? Manawa, WI. When I was young, we used to race to finish doing hay so our parents would take us there. It's really special to compete there now, since I had been going there since I was a child.

11. What is something that people would be surprised to learn about you? I'm claustrophobic.

12. What is your goal for this rodeo season? Qualify for the circuit finals and go to some big rodeos, like Cheyenne.

Name: Madison Montchal Born: Iowa City, IA, 9/19/97 Residence: Iowa City, IA Status: Single Family: mother, Dee, father, Bill, brothers, Jimmy, Chris, Jake and John Member of the WPRA since: 2007 Accomplishments: 2010 Josey Junior World Champion, 2009 AQHA Youth World Champion, 2007 NBHA Reserve Youth World Champion, WPRA Junior World Finals qualifier

1. What do you do for a living? I'm a 7th grade student.

2. What do you enjoy doing outside of riding? Basketball and volleyball.

3. Name something that most people don't know about you? Most people only know me as a barrel racer, but there is a whole other side to me.

4. How did you get started in rodeo? My brothers showed pigs at the fair and that is where I first saw barrel racing. I asked my parents for a horse and started running barrels myself.

5. What has been your greatest accomplishment? Winning the Josey Junior World Championship and the AQHA Youth World Championship.

6. Do you have any superstitions or quirks when competing? Not really, I just try to ride better every time.

7. What is your favorite rodeo to compete at? The Josey Junior Worlds, espicially since won it :)

8. Do you have any hauling partners? Who? Lance Graves.

9. What is your favorite rodeo memory? Winning the Josey Junior World Championship this year. It was my second year to compete there.

10. What is your horse's name? How old is he or she? I have two, Famous Ed, aka "Squidlee". He is a 7 year old gelding. I also have Flying With Effort, aka "Pee Wee". He is a 10 year old gelding.

11. How would you describe his/her style? Squidlee has a free running style. I just let him work.

12. Does he/she have any quirks that make them a unique partner? Squidlee acts like a human. Pee Wee is really spooky.

13. What is your riding regiment during rodeo season? I ride every day.

14. What is your goal for this rodeo season? I want to win the WPRA Junior World Championship and NBHA Youth World Championship, and also the Josey Junior Worlds again.

Name: Julie Erkamaa Born: Davenport, Iowa July 21, 1972 Residence: East Troy, WI for 7 years Status: Married Family: Husband, Michael Erkamaa (Mikko, Finish for Michael), Son, Gavin Bontty, age 13, Step-son, Brandon Erkamaa, age 13, Step-daughter, Emily Erkamaa, age 11 Member of the WPRA since: 2005 Accomplishments: 2007 WPRA Rookie of the Year, 2007 Great Lakes Circuit Rookie of the Year, 3 time Great Lakes Circuit Finals qualifier

12. Does he/she have any quirks that make them a unique partner? Gus is the sweetest horse ever. He is very willing and gives 110 percent every time. Everyone thinks that he is super quiet, but he can be very aggressive. I have to be careful who I tie him next to since he sometimes bites.

Hillary Lynch…

Hillary has been a member of the WPRA for 2 years, she is a permit holder.

Background/Accomplishments: Top 12 permit holder in 2009, won Monroe WI Rodeo.

1. What is your greatest accomplishment?
Being in the Top 12 Permit Holders after attending only 5 rodeos

2. Do you have any goals for this rodeo season?
I would like to fill my permit by attending rodeos and WPRA co-approved events. I am looking forward to hauling more this summer and gaining confidence along the way!

3. What do you enjoy doing outside of your horses?
I am a sales representative for Lextron Animal Health Supplies.

4. Do you have someone special that you admire?
Donna Irvin is very knowledgeable and is always willing to help with anything.

5. Name something that most people don't know about you?
I help my husband raise winning show cattle. We also have a 2400 hog operation.

6. Do you have any superstitions or quirks when competing?
I like to wear blue socks.

7. How do you travel to/from rodeos?
I travel with my sister and my best friend

8. What is your horse's name?
Clayton County Boy or CB

9. How old is he?
14 Year old gelding

10. What makes him special?
No one else has really been able to get along with him other than me.

11. How would you describe his style?
He is a very free runner in fact he used to run up the fence on the 1st barrel but has become quite consistent. He is a smaller horse and seems to excel in small pens.

12. Does he have any quirks that make him a unique partner?
He is a very "hands-off" horse; he likes to be left alone and is very independent.

13. What do you do to give your horse the 'edge' on the competition?
I am quite particular about his nutrition, maintenance, and conditioning. I will not share horse buckets.

Donna Irvin Background/Accomplishments: Qualified for DNCFR, Qualified for the Circuit Finals 5 times, 2004 Great Lakes Rookie of the Year, WPRA Circuit Director, AQHA Professional Horseman, Top 4 Quarter Horse in Congress, AQHA Superior Event Award in Barrel Racing, starts and finishes her own horses

1. What is your greatest accomplishment?
I qualified for the DNCFR, placed in Tour Rodeos and won the WPRA Rookie of the Year.

2. Do you have any goals for this rodeo season?
I would like to qualify for the circuit finals, and the DNCFR; to rodeo outside of the Great Lakes circuit, to season my upcoming 6 year old and be the best circuit director possible.

3. What do when you are not competing?
I am a Professor of Equestrian Science at the College level; I also coach the equestrian team at the college level.

4. Do you have someone special that you admire?
Sharon Camarillo, I have taught with Sharon all over the world.

5. Name something that most people don’t know about you?
I have learned throughout her years of competing how to enjoy the process of the competition rather than just the win! I enjoy the people that are part of this process and watching their accomplishments!

6. Do you have any superstitions or quirks when competing?
It is all about the shirt!! Even if the run is not ideal, I joke about whether my shirt looked good or not!!

7. How do you travel to/from rodeos?
I travel with a calf roper which presents challenges in entering since we cannot buddy together. But it has its advantages like safety, or a flat tire.

8. What is your horse’s name?
Ropenator

9. How old is he?
15 Years Old

10. What makes him special?
He is a survivor!! He almost lost his life and was off for a year and a half and came back to qualify for the Great Lakes Circuit Finals!

11. How would you describe his/her style?
He works off of his hind end, and has a big stride; he is also quite ratey and has to be pushed up into the barrels.

12. Does he have any quirks that make him a unique partner?
His nickname is Sneaky because he is scared of everything. If he approaches something he is scared of he tries to sneak around it. This works to his advantage however in barrels because he is a looker and searches out the barrels when competing.

13. What do you do to give your horse the ‘edge’ on the competition?
I keep my horses in top notch condition but in addition to that my horses are extremely broke by competing and participating in other disciplines like roping, reining, pole bending etc. One of his strengths is his handle on any ground condition. I believe that horses mirror their riders and by knowing each other inside and out I feel we have an edge.

*Note: Donna believes that everyone should have a performance coach. She has
Been fortunate to have Sharon Camarillo as a key player in her success in
Professional Rodeo! Having the opportunity to teach clinics with her and share concepts with
others is just ‘icing on the cake!’

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