Parker County Today Aug 2018 | Page 87

PARKER COUNTY AG

Kelly Heaton Shows that Age is Just a Number

Although barrel racer Kelly Heaton has only been racing for two years , she still has a small fear when she gets in the saddle after surviving a horrible accident . “ I was running towards my first barrel , my horse slipped and lost his way ,” she said . “ He was running through the area , and went over the fence and slipped with me on top , and landed on me .”

Heaton said that even though she survived the accident , it still scares her and “ messes with your game .”

“ You have that fear every time you go into an area ,” she said . But even with that fear , Heaton still finds the courage and climbs on the back of her horse , racing at the young age of 49 . Her friend got her into barrel racing , and Heaton is now entering into her second season of racing .

“ I ’ ve always been around horses and my husband is in the rodeo industry . My best friend runs barrels and got me into running barrels . I never competed until about two years ago ,” she said .

She says she does it for the adrenaline rush and the competition . “ I like to compete , it ’ s a challenge . It ’ s [ also ] an adrenaline rush caring for an animal ,” she said . “ It ’ s the pride you have in your horse and loving something more than you love yourself .”

In the short time she has raced , Heaton has won numerous awards , including buckles , money and saddle bags . Heaton says her three kids and grandkids are supportive of her and her racing , and there is a fourth grandson on the way , who will no doubt be supportive too .

So what does the future hold ? “ I want to be able to keep competing . For a woman my age , it ’ s nice to win money ,” she said .

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AUGUST 2018 PARKER COUNTY TODAY

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