story by Jennie Lawrence
Milford, Utah cowgirl Kallie Wright was the barrel racing average winner at the recent Rocky Mountain Professional Rodeo Association (RMPRA) finals. She jockeyed BCK Spyder Monkey, a six-year-old bay mare to the win. Kallie says, “Spyder is an amazing horse that I have a special bond with.” She also has the same bond with Spyder’s dam, Pheobes Myth, barn name Viper. Spyder is a homebred mare, by The Goodbye Lane. Kallie trained both mares. She says both mares have been a huge blessing.
Kallie, also a member of the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) would like to take Spyder to some pro rodeos in 2021. She also plans to season a really nice younger horse called Chase at the RMPRA events. She ran Chase’s dam, Malone at previous RMPRA finals as well. Kallie sees herself going to some of the bigger winter rodeos someday, and maybe even qualifying for the American.
She rides or exercises her horses five or six days a week for 30 to 40 minutes a day. “I make sure my horses are strong, healthy, and have all they need to feel great and enjoy their job.” She personally prepares for competitions by visualizing her runs. She focuses on what is her part of the run, and what is within her control. “If I can do that, usually the rest takes care of itself!”
Kallie is fortunate that she can stay close to home to compete. She considers herself lucky, because the RMPRA and circuit rodeos provide lots of options for competition. “I guess unless you’re going to some of the bigger rodeos or the bright lights of Vegas, there’s not a lot of reason to go too far rodeo wise.” She has gone to Las Vegas, Nevada for Helldorado Days, now known as Las Vegas Days, along with pro rodeos at Reno, Nevada, and several in Idaho. Kallie puts the most miles on her rig when she is hauling to barrel futurities.
Kallie listens to a variety of music when she is on the rodeo road. She likes everything from Disney to rap, and 90’s country and soft rock. Like many other cowboys and cowgirls, she also listens to podcasts. Favorites include Rümpchät and The Money Barrel. She does not have a specific song or music that gets her pumped up before she runs, but sometimes she listens to audiobooks like “The Mind Gym.” “It helps me get in a good head space,” she said.
Kallie credits her family with her success. She started her equine career in 4-H, then moved on to junior rodeos, high school rodeos, and progressed from there. Her mother started training barrel horses when Kallie was small, while her father raced Thoroughbreds. She is married to “the best guy ever,” Spencer Wright. The couple has a 1 ½ -year-old daughter Steeley and is expecting a little boy in March.
Kallie’s parents have always provided her with well-bred horses and continue to do so. Her mom tags along to rodeos and barrel races to watch the babies so Kallie can compete. Her father makes sure everything from her rig to the horses are well taken care of, and that the horses keep coming. Her husband provides physical help, and as a past world champion he understands from a mental standpoint what it takes to win. He has taught Kallie to keep her mind right and has helped push her out of her comfort zone. Kallie loves being with her family, no matter what they are doing. They are the most important thing in the world to her.
Kallie’s rodeo downfall is that she is late a lot. She occasionally misjudges when the barrels are going to start. There have been a few five-minute warmups, even though she hates doing that. She blames it on being a mom and says that is okay.
Kallie would like to give a big thanks to the associations, rodeo committees, and stock contractors who fought through a tough year, but were still able to provide a place for the competitors to do what they love. It was not what anyone was used to, but Kallie is still grateful for the opportunities she did have.
