Her Way

CIRCUIT FEATURE: GREAT LAKES CIRCUIT Wisconsin barrel racer ideally-suited for futurity and

derby barrel racing By Johnna Espinoza

Columbia River Circuit

Montana Circuit

Badlands Circuit

Wilderness Circuit

Mountain States Circuit

California Circuit

Turquoise Circuit

Southeastern Circuit

Texas Circuit

Prairie Circuit

Great Lakes Circuit

Frontier Circuit

First

Patti Hovland has a love for horses and this year has been competing on three different ones. Her rodeo horse, Manors Lady Jet (far left), joins her derby horses: Sheza Famous Bugs, a 5-year-old mare (middle image) and Nicksdashindiamond, a 6-year-old mare (far right). Photos by Marty Welter, Kent Kerschner, WPRA photo by Peggy Gander

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f you love horses, then there is something for just about everyone in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. Patti Hovland of Maiden Rock, Wis., is proof positive of that. She is different than many in the WPRA. The Great Lakes Circuit cowgirl is not chasing the spotlight, a title or a gold buckle.   Hovland’s way consists of:

Competing primarily in futurity and derby events because she loves the challenge of working with young horses. She is unable to travel to many competitions because she works full-time and wants to be available for family activities. Finally, Hovland works hard to be successful at barrel racing, but she also uses riding as a way to unwind and relax after a long day’s work.

Competing her way, demonstrates the strength of the WPRA in that is provides a wide variety of options for human athletes and equine athletes of all types. 

 Hovland said.

In layman terms, futurity and derby barrel racing is for young and unseasoned horses, while Pro Rodeo barrel racing is mostly for older  ages 4-5, while derby is for horses, ages 5-7. It often takes many years to train and develop a horse to compete at the professional lev- el. Horses need time to adjust to the life on the road, as well as the ground, lights, noise and sometimes even pyrotechnics at a competi- tion, along with mastering the skills of the event. Hovland had two horses ranked in the Aug. 12 WPRA World Der- by Standings. Nicksdashindiamond, a 6-year-old mare, was in third place and Sheza Famous Bugs, a 5-year-old mare, was 21st. In 2015, -  ninth in the 1D futurity.

Hovland is able to stay relatively close to home and make some cir- 46 WOMEN’S PRO RODEO NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

cuit rodeos around family and work commitments. She was in eighth place in the Aug. 9 Great Lakes Circuit Standings primarily riding her No. 1 open horse, Manors Lady Jet. The Great Lakes Circuit in- cludes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mis- souri, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Hovland, a Footwear Finishing Manager, is a 30-year and full-time employee at Red Wing Shoe Company in Red Wing, Minn. Hov-  miles from the Mississippi River. Red Wing is about 20 miles up the river from Maiden Rock. Hovland and her husband, Brad, have two children, Dylan, 19, and Danyelle, 17. Brad is a construction super- intendent for BHI Energy. Hovland has a hectic schedule with work, family activities and is currently training and riding four horses, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.  she said.

How it all got started

Hovland’s father, Bob Manor, encouraged and helped develop Hovland’s love of horses and riding. Manor bought young horses as Hovland was growing up and she helped train and ride them. Over the years, she learned what worked teaching young horses in barrel racing and pole bending. Then and today, Hovland says the key is patience and spending a lot of time with them. Manor, also a horse breeder, lives nearby and Hovland rides at his

ranch. At times, she uses his small indoor arena and has bought hors- es from him. Manor, 79, still competes in riding events. Hovland received Manors Lady Jet, a 12-year-old mare, from her father as a yearling. Manors Nick Bar is the sire of Manors Lady Jet, a.k.a, Sweetie. The mare is among Hovland’s success stories. She is  Along with her father, Hovland gets assistance from other train- ers. She will send her 2-year-old horses out to other trainers for 30 or 60 days for them to ride and then she will continue the training. Hovland has gotten help from trainers Troy Crumrine, Lacey Kuschel and Shawn Varpness.