Medford, Wisconsin-Nothing makes a mother more proud than to see her child succeed at something she loves. This is true for all mothers, including Tammy Whyte. At the North Central Rodeo in Medford, Wis., June 8-10 Whyte watched as daughter Brandi won her first professional rodeo and took great pride in the win despite the fact that her daughter's win cost her victory for herself.

"She's on cloud nine," Tammy laughs. The elder Whyte is accustomed to victories. Riding Luckys Tiny Bit, aka Cisco, Whyte has claimed the last four Great Lakes Circuit Championships, one year winning an incredible 13 of 25 rodeos.

But in Medford, it was Brandi's turn in the limelight. Riding her mother's horse, Eureka Playboy, she toured the cloverleaf in 18.18 seconds, just .06 seconds faster than Mom; she won $1,634 while Tammy settled for $1,400 for second.

"I am definitely excited," says Brandi of her first pro win. "I have been working for this."

Whyte and Playboy have been a team for a few years but are just now finding their timing together.

"The horses are here [at my house] and I try to keep everything rolling," says Tammy. The younger Whyte doesn't have the time to haul as much as her mother due to her position as a medical assistant in their hometown of Eau Claire, Wis. "Her hauling is limited because she doesn't have the vacation time to go on the road. I show up more without her."

Brandi often heads to Mom's after work to ride and gear up for weekend events. She definitely feels the benefits of her mother's experience.

"I can't say enough good things about her," says Brandi. "She is always there, she will give advice to everyone who asks. I believe we learn as we go and there are so many times that I learn something from hearing her answering other people's questions. Everything I've learned about what to do, where to go . . . it's all come from her."

With the addition of the big win in Medford, the younger Whyte is now sixth in the Great Lakes Circuit standings while Mom is out in front once again. Despite her limitations in hauling time, Brandi is eyeing a trip to the Great Lakes Circuit Finals Rodeo in Louisville in November. It would be her first.

"I've never quite had a horse like this one before, so I feel that I have a good chance. But I know how long Mom worked for it so I am not getting my hopes up or down," says Brandi, adding that her mother taught her to set goals in everything she does. "Even if you don't reach them, you have to keep working and you will eventually get there."

The Whytes will be on the road again this coming weekend, though Tammy will start on Thursday in Bellevue, Iowa alone. On Friday, Brandi will get to rejoin the rig for a trip to Glenwood City just up the road.

In addition to working for a living and working for the circuit finals berth, Brandi is also planning a wedding to her fiancé Mitch, happening next April.

"He's not into the horses but he supports me 100 percent," she says, adding that he's much like her father Jeff in that regard.

Meanwhile, mother and daughter will continue to enjoy their time on the road together and hope to appear together in Louisville.

"I am trying to follow in her tracks," laughs Brandi. "She is the greatest role model and more of my best friend than my mom."

While the Whytes enjoyed great triumph in Medford, tragedy struck one member of the WPRA Great Lakes Circuit family. Kristen Meyers lost her great stallion AG Famous Hotrod after "Fame" broke his pastern during his run in Medford. The eight year old stallion by PESI nominated Dash ta Fame had been winning the circuit prior to the fatal injury. The WPRA extends our deepest condolences to Meyers and family on the loss of their beloved horse.