Be Your Best Horsemanship

Trusting the Timing of Your Success with Katie Scott

·1 hr 17 min·5 clips
Katie Scott just qualified for her first National Finals Rodeo after a year of unexpected challenges and divine timing.
Phil Haugen hosts barrel racer Katie Scott on 'Be Your Best Horsemanship' to discuss her first qualification for the National Finals Rodeo. Katie grew up in Andrews, Texas, and competed in various rodeo events like goat tying and team roping before focusing on barrel racing. She explains how diverse event experience improved her horsemanship. Katie details a difficult season where her horse Streaking Liza was injured in June, leading to a low point where she questioned her path. Her sister Larissa Jo Merritt intervened, providing a horse called 'the yellow horse' (Peanut Seed), which helped turn her season around. Katie recounts key moments like winning nearly $10,000 at the muddy Mandan rodeo after seeing another competitor take a risk. She discusses the importance of being present and finding peace through faith, sharing how a disappointing qualifier in Uvalde unexpectedly allowed her to compete in Calgary. Katie talks about her routine on the road, often traveling alone with three horses, and her preference for turning horses out rather than stalling them. She reflects on fun memories, like seeing her injured horse Twiz in Ogden and running a 16.8 at Calgary. Katie plans to bring Peanut Seed and Streaking Liza to the NFR, with Larissa's horse MLG for the grand entry. She advises young riders to stay persistent, celebrate others' successes, and trust in divine timing. Phil emphasizes learning from failures and the therapeutic nature of horsemanship.

As heard by us

A grounded rodeo conversation about routine, hauling, and the work behind a first NFR berth.

Be Your Best Horsemanship follows Katie Scott after her first national finals rodeo qualification, and it stays close to the daily habits that carry that moment.

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Why you'd press play

For when you want rodeo advice that respects the miles and the wind.

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