story by Siri Stevens
Peyton Glenn’s horse, DD (Danita Design), won AQHA Horse of the Year at the NHSFR. “I’m very blessed to own a horse like her. DD has taken me to nationals every year since the 7th grade. There are not a lot of people that have that honest a horse. My freshman year we went into state finals with a comfortable lead. We didn’t win every rodeo that season but we placed every time. She gives it 100% every time.” The mare, born and raised on XN Ranch by her grandparents, Charles and Nita Brock. DD was given to Peyton for her 16th birthday. “Her style is completely different than other horses – I just sit back and let her do her thing instead of pushing her.” AQHA Horse of the Year is won off points during the year that the horse earns. “Going into the short go I was 60 points ahead of second place.” From Edmond, Oklahoma, the 19 year old will take DD to Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant where she will college rodeo and start by getting her basics done. She leaves for school in a week. “I’m ready to experience on my own and start a whole new journey in life. I’m used to my dad (Rodney) going with me – and I’m sure he will be there as much as he can.” Rodney, who owns a concrete company, is the National Director for both OHSRA and OKJHSRA, and was just elected to the NHSRA Executive Board. Her mom, Diane, is the high school rodeo board secretary and her brother, Parker, will be a junior and competes in the tie down roping, team roping, and saddle bronc riding, so they will be busy too. “I’ve been in junior high and high school rodeo since sixth grade, so this will be the first time we’ll be apart during rodeo season.” Peyton admits to being a little nervous. “There are only two of us that are new recruits, so we’ll see. My dad does all the ground at all the high school rodeos, so we’re always guaranteed good ground.” And she will miss her family. “My brother claims he’s going to come stay with me because there are a lot of jackpots in Durant.”
Peyton is spending her days before college doing what she always does; riding. I’ve been very blessed to have support from XN Ranch. Out of all the horses I’m riding at home my pole horse is the only one that is not out of a mare from XN Ranch. A big thrill of mine was to have my Papa and MoeMoe in Wyoming this year when I won Reserve Barrel Champion and DD won horse of the year. She also joins her brother, who practices his roping, a mile down the road. Sometimes her friends come ride with her, and sometimes they head to the lake or go shopping. She’s leaving all her friends behind in a few weeks. “It’ll be hard; I went to a 6A high school and I probably had one true best friend and she’s going to Edmond; nobody around me has anything to do with horses – but I’ll be home.”
She is thinking about going into teaching, like her mom does, but she is inclined to take DD and make a run for the NFR too. “She’s getting older and I want her to have a shot at it before she gets too old.” Both her parents rodeoed, and neither one went on. “My uncle on my dad’s side is a great heeler and my mom’s side breeds the horses. My grandpa trained barrel horses, so everyone is involved. Beyond rodeo, I’d like to follow in my papa’s footsteps and train and sell horses.”
