Marlene McGaughey
– Terry Rhodes
story by Terry Rhodes
NSPRA member Marlene McGaughey has just started her duties as barrel racing event director and as she explains there is a lot of crucial behind the scenes work needs to be done to insure the event goes off without a hitch. “My duties are to make sure the ground is prepared and ready, the pattern is marked and the stakes are visible. I make sure the electric eyes are there and functioning, and that the timers are familiar with the functions of the eyes. I am a communication link to the board with concerns of the barrel racers as well as coordinating year end awards.” Though barrel racing is her primary event she has started competing in ribbon running. “The roper I have run for the most is FW Lynch. I recently started competing in ranch sorting and really like that event too.”
Though Marlene is relatively new to the organization she brings a vast amount of experience and knowledge about the event and rodeo. “I just joined the NSPRA last year so I only got to a few rodeos. I’m a Gold Card member of the WPRA and have competed in the Badlands Circuit Finals three times. I got away from my competition to travel with my daughter, Josie Jordan, to high school rodeos. She used my horses and made it to the College Finals and then joined the WPRA and went to the Badlands Circuit Finals four times and the DNCFR once. I am the producer of the Cornhusker Barrel Futurity which is ranked 15th in futurity events by Equistat. The futurity started in 2003 and has grown each year.” (www.cornhuskerfuturity.com).
Marlene grew up on a ranch and was on horses from the start, so picking up barrel racing came pretty naturally. “I was about 20 when I started competing. I went to playdays and horse shows , then bought a permit and placed at the first pro rodeo I went to. Been hooked ever since!! My mentor was Teresa Humphrey who went to one of the first NFR’s. My good friend, Debbie Bloxom, suggested I join the NSPRA.”
Marlene says that preparation for a good run starts by visualizing a good run. “Having confidence and lots of practice at home is essential preparation. Then you just go do your best.” She maintains a physical fitness program that includes daily runs, planking, and other disciplines. “I run every day, even when it’s single digit temperatures outside.” Just to make sure there is good mojo in the arena, Marlene follows some simple time-tested rules. “Don’t run with money in your pockets. No hat on the bed. Typically don’t wear yellow in the arena.”
She calls Broken Bow, Nebraska home with her husband, Ken. “He’s a large animal vet and we have a ranch. He has cattle and I have horses. I have 40 head of horses. Everything I ride is something I have raised. “I like the race bred horses. I had a stallion that I stood who was Dash For Cash and Easy Jet bred., and my broodmares were all raced except for one.” Marlene has five grown children.
Marlene says that there are four pillars in her life. “God, family, horses, and music. That sums it up for me I’m really into music, play a few instruments, and especially love to dance. I play the organ at church when they need me.”
Her typical week includes riding and training horses and the usual ranch work. “I drive tractors and get our farm ground ready to plant. We raise cane, alfalfa and teff and brome hay so I spend lots of days in the hayfield.
And that’s pretty much my week.” Leisure time is spent with family or maybe going to the local race track. Goals are to continue rodeo and maybe make the Circuit Finals again, and learn how to play the violin.
