 lege horse is never far from her mind.


“I swear my horse, Lexus, is with me because she looks just like my mare now, Sissy,” Crowther said. “She’s sorrel with a little bit of white on her face.”


Sometimes in life, things have a way of working out.


My time – Shelby McCauley and Handlin’ Doc


Knowing when to shout “surprise” at a surprise birthday party is an example of the importance of having good timing.         


well. The Hockley, Texas cowgirl loves barrel racing and wanted to suc- ceed doing it, but knew there would be a good time in her life to do it. McCauley had a couple of things to get done before she pursued her rodeo dreams. She wanted to go to college and get her career started before jumping into the saddle. That plan has worked out pretty well for McCauley. The Texas A&M University graduate and full-time nutritionist was the permit holder big winner at the WPRA World Finals. McCauley and -  third in the short-go in 15.275. McCauley won the average with a time  the 2017 season.


“I’m still getting my plan together, but I’m leaning toward buying my card and maybe trying to go for Rookie of the Year,” McCauley said.


“I’m very excited, but I still have to look for a back-up horse and start hauling a little bit more.”


Adding McCauley to the 2017 rookie race is probably good news for


WPRA fans. McCauley has demonstrated she is a woman who can get things done and brings her knowledge of healthy eating to the rodeo arena. McCauley is a nutritionist at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Cypress in Texas. It’s a safe bet that McCauley and Angola are rested, balanced and fueled for competition. Angola does get a little extra alfalfa when he is being hauled a lot. “He does eat healthy,” said McCauley about her 11-year-old gelding. “It has helped me keep him very healthy. He is very muscular and very in-shape.”


McCauley’s employer and co-workers have been supportive of her barrel racing ambitions and work with her rodeo schedule. Luckily for McCauley, she has a good teammate in Angola. She bought him two years ago.  “He wasn’t quite seasoned as a rodeo horse. He’d been to barrel races not too far from home, so when I got him, I started hauling him. I took   how to ride him.” McCauley’s mother, Susan, has traveled with her and helped with driving and will hopefully be able to continue going. Susan also helps by recording McCauley and Angola’s runs. Competition experience has helped Angola improve, which was evident in Waco. It appears to be the right time for McCauley and Angola to beef up their rodeo schedule. “He’s so awesome,” McCauley said. “He’s just a special one – his per- sonality just makes you love him. He’s amazing in the arena and out.”


Shelby McCauley and Handlin’ Doc, barn name, “Angola,” took advantage of the WPRA Permit Only race during the 2016 WPRA World Finals in Waco, Texas., McCauley of Hockley, Texas and a Texas A&M graduate easily filled her permit winning the average in a total time of 45.879 seconds and won $3,126 over three rounds of competition. WPRA photo by Peggy Gander


After filling her permit and winning the permit only race in Waco, Texas, Shelby McCauley is eye- ing a run for the 2017 WPRA Rookie of the Year title. WPRA President Doreen Wintermute pre- sented McCauley with a Montana Silversmiths buckle for her win during the 2016 WPRA World Finals. WPRA photo by Dudley Barker


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