MOMS Our Coaches, Competition & Cheering Section!

“Life doesn’t come with a manual – it comes with a mom!” Embracing motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mother figures, we pause and reflect on the blessings that “mothers” bestow upon us. Related by blood or bound by choice, many maternal influences guide and support each of us, daily. Mother figures are much more than a biological beginning. They shape thoughts, build character, and impart knowledge. While we honour maternal figures on Mother’s Day, the legacy that they facilitate and assemble in our talents and actions is an even better tribute.

In a unique spotlight, we share a snippet on Julie and Vanessa Leggett, of Kamloops, BC. Both dedicated equestrians and barrel racers, this mother-daughter duo exemplifies the bond of a successful, mother-daughter team. Pursuing their passion, competing, and cheering in unison, the two have travelled far and wide.

Julie Leggett, born and raised in Trail, BC, is a professional barrel racer and barrel horse trainer. Competing across Canada and the United States, Julie holds a decorated portfolio. She has qualified for the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) twice, competed in the Calgary Stampede three times, was the 2015 Cloverdale Barrel Racing Champion, qualified for the prestigious San Antonio Stock Show, made it to the Semi-Finals of The American, in Fort Worth, Texas and more. While many great horses have propelled her success, “Ice,” aka FDI Cash To Burn, a beautiful grey gelding, turned white, remains a favourite. He set multiple arena records and served as a go-to mount for just about everything.

Recently, Julie has shifted her focus to raising and training prospects. With her daughter, Vanessa, Julie has produced several young horses that stand out. Leggett highlights their accomplishments in stating, “Vanessa and ‘Whiskey’ have successfully navigated into the pro rodeo scene. They qualified for the 2021 Calgary Stampede and have won and placed in several CPRA Rodeos.”

“Looker” won two major futurity titles and a reserve title as a derby horse. “Boss” is on his way to becoming a winning barrel horse. The youngest, “Easy,” has already won a major roping event, as a head horse.

Julie loves the quote, “Steel Sharpens Steel.” She believes that being around and competing against, the best in the business, helps you become the best that you can be. She added, “Competing with my daughter Vanessa, on horses we make ourselves, is a very rewarding and gratifying experience. With time, it’s been nice to settle into the training mode of our business and watch Vanessa shine as a jockey. I still like to compete, but I feel okay watching her take the reins at some of the bigger events. I love watching her and our horses excel!”

Vanessa (age 27), has certainly followed in her mother’s footsteps. Through 4-H and High School Rodeo, Leggett, an accomplished rider, also holds a reputable portfolio. She remains one of only two Canadians to win the National High School Barrel Racing Championship and is a two-time British Columbia and Canadian High School Barrel Racing Champion. Leggett qualified for and competed in the 2021 Calgary Stampede, consistently placed in the top-five barrel racers with the Texas Tech University Rodeo Team, and has been in the top-ten of the Canadian Barrel Horse Incentive Super Stakes, for the last three years. She was third in the Breeders Elite Incentive for 2022 and holds multiple Canadian Pro Rodeo earnings, including a win at the Teepee Creek Stampede in 2022.

Vanessa, a registered nurse, notes that her favourite horse is “Whiskey,” aka Hagans Charger Fling, a 2015 chocolate, buckskin gelding. Whiskey has helped her with many of her recent accomplishments. While he is still young, Vanessa notes that Whiskey has quickly become a steadfast, tough rodeo mount.

A quote that speaks to Vanessa is, “Teamwork makes the dreamwork.” It perfectly describes how she works with her mom. Leggett’s favourite days are those when it’s just her and her mother, training horses in the barrel patch. Together, they can accomplish so much.

The daughter added, “My mom is my horse trainer, my coach, my mentor, business partner, and my best friend. I have always thrived when competing with my mom. We build each other up and perform better when we’re supporting each other. It never feels like we are competing against each other because when she wins so do I, and vice versa. We like to focus on the success of our horses. We often say it’s a win for them.”

In competition and kinship, this duo models passion, grit, and determination. Today, and every day, we honour our mother figures with the actions and talents that they have fostered and refined in each of us.