~by Taylor Teays for The Scranton Journal
Briella and Jerzee McDonald, daughters of Nina and Marty McDonald, will be traveling to Gifford, IL, in November to take part in the International Miniature Rodeo Association finals, both competing in barrel racing.
Briella, who is now 13, has loved barrel racing since she was very young, according to her mom, Nina McDonald.
“It started on an August day when she was about 8 or 9 years old. She wanted to go to the Yale Saddle Club show that day, but was scared of her horse so she hadn’t been able to ride alone yet,” explained Nina.That day, Briella spent hours with her dad Marty and uncle Dusty, in the arena, building confidence to be comfortable riding alone. That afternoon, the family went to Yale, and the rest is history.
Jerzee, 11, got into horses and barrel racing as well, her mom saying: “It just made sense that if we were going, she might as well be on a horse, too.”
“She truly loves dinosaurs though,” Nina added with a smile.
A lot of work goes into barrel racing competitions. Briella and Jerzee spend time doing “slow work” with their horses, taking time to do exercises and drills rather than running the barrel pattern. This work helps the horses to tighten up their patterns and work on any “quirky” issues the horse may be having.
The day of the race, the girls will warm up the horses on exercises and slow work, collecting themselves before the run.
“Briella will often sit off to the side, or in the back of the holding pen area waiting for her turn to run, so she can focus on the pattern and collect her thoughts before entering the arena. Their mentor, Stephanie McCready, taught the girls to do that during training sessions they’ve had with her in the past,” explained Nina. This practice helps the girls keep their head in the game and focus on what lies ahead.
After the run comes what could be the horses’ favorite part, extra treats and time to cool off, getting rinsed down and brushed out before going back home.
The girls enjoy racing and traveling, getting to spend time with their friends and seeing the country. This summer, the family traveled to Oklahoma, seeing things they wouldn’t typically see on a more regular vacation, such as the resting place of Lane Frost, a professional bull rider and an elephant sanctuary, all in Hugo, OK.
At the State Fair, Jerzee received two purple ribbons, a white and a first place finish in flags, second place in barrels. Briella brought home two purple ribbons and two blues, with a first place finish in barrels and Overall Grand Champion Barrels (all age divisions).
Both girls qualified for the IMRA (International Miniature Rodeo Association) finals and will travel to Gifford, IL, in November to compete. Briella qualified for the Patriot Las Vegas barrel race and will travel to Las Vegas in December, the week of the National Finals Rodeo.
“This has been a dream of Briella’s since she was little. She is beyond excited and we are so very proud of her accomplishment,” said Nina.
