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Get to know newly crowned National High School Rodeo Association Reserve Champion barrel racer McKale Hadley in a special Rodeo Insider edition of In The Alley.
By Laura Lambert — Photo Courtesy NHSRA
McKale Hadley.
Answer: I started riding when I was seven, and I did youth rodeo from that time on through junior high and high school.
Q: Who taught you to barrel race?
A: My mom, Wendy Hadley, got me into it. She has been barrel racing ever since she was little. She won her state title once and made it to nationals.
Q: How many barrel horses have you had?
A: I’ve had five different barrel horses over the years.
Q: Tell me about your horse and how you got him?
A: His name is Legacy Lane (“Jay”). We got him from my uncle who has racehorses. We bought him late in his 2-year-old year. He chipped, and they didn’t want to run him on the track anymore. We have been training him ever since. He spent a little time at Terri Wood-Gates’ house. She has helped us a lot.
Q: How old is he?
A: Jay is 10 years old now.
Q: What are your life goals?
A: I got a scholarship to Weber State, and I am planning on participating in college rodeo. I am going to school to be a veterinarian. I also plan to have professional rodeos in my future along with some bigger 4D-type barrel races.
Q: What is the one thing you learned from this year and winning the finals that you think is most important?
A: You have to go in with a set mind knowing what you want. Face the facts, and try your hardest. The rest will play out.
Fast Facts
Favorite TV Show: That ‘70s Show
Favorite Piece of Tack: I would say that would have to be all of my bits.
Hometown: Plains City, Utah
Family: Dad – Sid; Mom – Wendy; Brother – Gates
Role Model: Terri Wood-Gates
One word that describes you? Determined
Worst Habit? Cutting my fingernails too much.
Best Characteristic? I’m a hard worker.
One thing no one knows about you? Most kids don’t know that I rodeo because I don’t talk about it too much when I’m at school. I keep to myself. On the rodeo side, I would say most people don’t know my real hair color is brown. I always keep it dyed black.
What’s on your iPod? Country, Rock, Rap…a little bit of everything
What do you drive? 1996 Camaro
Favorite Movie? Into the Blue
Favorite Food? I really like Mexican food.
How many horses do you have? We have 11.
Favorite saddle? The one I won this year at the state finals.
Favorite pad? Impact Gel
Favorite bit? I think it is called a 6 bit.
Favorite boots for your horse? I use polo wraps.
Favorite boots for yourself? Ariat.
Favorite jeans? Cruel Girl
Favorite hat? Saratelli.
Least favorite activity? Homework
Characteristic you admire most in people? People who are respectful and nice to everyone.
Attribute about horse you desire? Heart and a lot of try.
How many texts do you send in a day? Too many
Anything you would like to add? I’d like to thank both of my parents for taking me all those years to all of the rodeos. I also want to thank them for teaching me great horsemanship and sportsmanship. I know that those two things are very important and will take you a long way in life. My family has done a lot with horses and has a lot of experience, so it’s been great learning from them.
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