Braidy Howes of Metiskow (right) beats out a tough competitor this year—her mom. Photo Mike Copeman. Want to Subscribe to The Provost News? Click here. Want to Subscribe to The Provost News? Click here.

Rookie Rider Saddling Up for Canadian Finals Rodeo
Barrel racing expert, Braidy Howes of Metiskow has amassed enough points to compete in this month’s Canadian Finals Rodeo where the nation’s best will battle it out.

The 19 year old professional rookie beat out her mother Gayle Howes who has been riding professionally for many years and has gone to the CFR 14 times—wining the event in 1986. She’s also placed well in other years including finishing as a runner-up.

Gayle told The News in an interview that she is “delighted” that Braidy is going to the finals. “When your protege is better than you are, you have done your job (helping) right.”

Gayle finished in about 14th place this season, tipping over a barrel in Calgary so didn’t receive the points she needed to advance.

Braidy is also becoming a barrel racing horse trainer and used four different horses this year to bring her year’s earnings in the barrel racing event up to $16,500. She lives in Arizona with her mother and father (Bob) during the winter where she can continue racing in a better climate.

In 2005 Braidy plans to compete at some of the more prestigious U.S. rodeos.

The two women share and train 14 racing horses but use only six of them in the competitions. Gayle explains that they both ride alike so one of them could ride a certain horse at one competition and the other could ride the same horse at the next race.

The pair, both professionals who are not allowed on the amateur circuit, receive a point for each dollar earned.