story by Lily Weinacht
Rodeo mom turned barrel racer, Brenda McMahan took to chasing cans after her two children were grown. It was her daughter, Megan, who brought horses to the family, petitioning for a horse until Brenda and her husband, Kent, bought her a 20-year-old gelding. “She just loved it, and six months later, we bought another one thinking it would be fun to have two so we could ride together,” says Brenda, 54. “My son, Curtis, latched onto that one, and the kids started doing playdays and eventually junior rodeos. When my daughter graduated from high school, I bought a show horse and did that for a year, but it really wasn’t my cup of tea – I think I needed more speed! I always liked the barrels, and I went to several clinics and I had watched my kids get lessons. My daughter had a barrel horse named Jack, but he wasn’t fast enough for college rodeo, so she had me try him, and he was just solid and ran the same pattern every time. He taught me a lot, and I was able to get my confidence.”
Originally from Oklahoma, Brenda and Kent settled in Divide, Colorado, several years ago for his work, and she joined the CPRA in 2015. “I’ve decided to focus more on the CPRA this year, and it’s going good. Reading the arena is what I’m learning now. My first year (in the CPRA) I kept running my main horse, Ziggy, in the slack since I thought I wouldn’t be as nervous. Eventually, I had to enter a rodeo and she was so excited and did better with the crowd. A lot of my reason for going to the CPRA this year was the distance. It’s less stressful and not so hard on the horses when we don’t travel quite so far. All the people are great, and a lot of my friends are running in the CPRA. Everybody is always so encouraging and helpful.
“My family and friends have been very supportive of me. My daughter and I always run at the BBR World Finals every year, and all my family and several friends come to watch us. It’s so nice having loved ones who believe in you! The gentleman I bought Ziggy from, Jeff Varner, helps and encourages me any time I need it, as does Amy Jo Farella, who I bought my mare Fancy from. I’ve done a Martha Josey clinic and a Sarah Rose MacDonald clinic, as well as a couple Cathi Hadley clinics and one with Jane Melby – you can learn so much from being around people like that. And the vets and chiropractor and massage therapists help my horses constantly.”
Along with her main horse, Ziggy (San Bertalena), Brenda competes on Fancy (Sheza French Charm) and Sierra (El Sierra Bar). At first, Brenda felt Ziggy was too fast for her, but Jeff Varner let her ride Ziggy three different times to get a feel for the mare. “I bought her, and she and I have just clicked,” says Brenda. “I thank God for her each and every day. I’m so blessed to be doing what I love!” Brenda’s other horse, Sierra, is recuperating from her hocks being fused, but should be ready to run in December. “I really want to get with her. We did well in the beginning, but we’ve had trouble connecting. Every horse is different, and you learn something new every day! I know we can do it and make it happen.”
Brenda also loves spending time with her granddaughters, Autumn, 6, and Ava, 4, and she works one day a week at her husband’s CPA firm in Colorado Springs. Kent travels with her to most of the rodeos, videoing her runs and doing the driving. Along with the CPRA, Brenda is a member of the WPRA, BBR, NBHA, and Mile Hi Barrel Horse Association. “I would like to qualify for the CPRA finals,” she finishes. “They’ll be in Colorado Springs just down the road from me, and it would be a great honor to go. If I don’t qualify, it’s okay. I’m living the dream and enjoying running barrels against some of the nicest and toughest ladies around!”
