SPOTLIGHT: LEIGH MCDONALD

Leigh McDonald is a dedicated and determined barrel racer with a passion for the sport. Despite working a full-time job and managing multiple responsibilities, including two children and a variety of other family and business commitments, Leigh never loses sight of her goal to become the best barrel racer she can be. In this article, we delve into Leigh's life as a barrel racer, from her love for the sport to her challenges and triumphs.

• Married with two amazing children
• Has 1 older brother and 1 older sister, and is an aunt to 9 nieces and nephews
• Works a full-time job to fund her passion for barrel racing
• Owns 13 horses, chicken houses, and a feeder calf operation
• Juggles multiple sports and activities for her children, including football, basketball, archery, cheer, dance, and barrel racing
• Broke her collar bone twice, the second time in three places, and rode in a sling at the NBHA Youth World
• Chose a horse for her sixteenth birthday and went on to win fourth place in the world
• Used to love drag racing and can drive a variety of vehicles
• Grateful to God for her love and talent for rodeo, always thanks her horse after a ride, and strives to learn and improve in barrel racing

 Through her unwavering commitment and hard work, Leigh has proven that anything is possible with the right attitude and a bit of grit. Despite the difficulties and setbacks she has faced, Leigh never loses sight of her passion for barrel racing and her gratitude for the opportunities the sport has given her. As a dedicated mother, a hardworking professional, and a skilled barrel racer, Leigh is a true inspiration to all who follow her journey.

 

Article 10: "Riding Through Adversity: The Barrel Racer's Journey

 

 

January 31, 2023

Barrel racing is a sport that requires intense focus, determination, and a love for horses. It is a sport where the rider and horse are a team, working together to complete a pattern as quickly as possible. However, this sport can also bring great losses and heartache.

Losing a horse, a competition, or even a personal struggle can be devastating for a barrel racer. However, it is important for them to remember that setbacks are a natural part of life and a part of the journey. The key to overcoming losses is to keep pushing forward and chasing their dreams.

One way to keep pushing forward is to remember that no matter where a competition takes place, the dirt is the same. It doesn't matter if it is a dirt arena in Texas or a dirt arena in Oklahoma, the dirt is the same. The dirt represents a level playing field and serves as a reminder that no matter where a person is from or what they have been through, they all run on the same dirt.

Another way to overcome losses is to focus on personal growth and improvement. Losing a competition can be a difficult setback, but it can also be an opportunity for growth. Barrel racers can reflect on their performance, identify areas for improvement, and work towards becoming a better rider and horse team.

Finally, surrounding oneself with a supportive community is crucial in overcoming losses. The barrel racing community is filled with individuals who understand the struggles and joys of the sport. Having friends and family who believe in their dreams and support their journey can make all the difference.

In conclusion, barrel racers face losses and setbacks as a natural part of their journey. However, it is important for them to remember that they all run on the same dirt, focus on personal growth and improvement, and surround themselves with a supportive community. By keeping these things in mind, barrel racers can continue to chase their dreams and reach new heights in their sport.

 

RED DIRT DIVAS: THE STUD

                                              

The Hattiesburg Arena was a hive of activity, as competitors readied themselves for the barrel race. Mothers shouted encouragement to their daughters and dirt flew everywhere as horses galloped about.

Angela, a blonde sixteen-year-old, rode her horse out of the alleyway, effortlessly maneuvering it around the three barrels before returning to the starting point. The crowd erupted in cheers as the announcer proclaimed Angela the leader of the pack. Brittany, a friend of Angela's, recorded the triumphant ride on her phone, joining in on the applause.

As they walked back to the stall, Brittany gushed over Angela's victory and teased Cheyenne, a rival rider who had recently acquired a new horse. Cheyenne was unfazed by the jabs, wishing Angela congratulations and remarking on the new mount's potential as a winner. Brittany was skeptical, calling it a "dud" and offering up a prayer for Cheyenne's safety on the "crazy bastard."

Cheyenne, with a twinkle in her eye, took the horse to the warm-up pen, determined to prove Brittany wrong. Jack, another rider, approached, asking about the heated exchange. Cheyenne explained the Roberts' tendency to brag about their daughter and Jack asked about Angela's current lead. Cheyenne simply replied with a smile, "For now," before heading into the arena for her turn at glory.

The tension was palpable as Cheyenne mounted her horse, her eyes fixed on the prize. The sound of hooves pounding against the dirt filled the arena, as she and her horse became one, navigating the barrels with ease and determination. When the dust settled, Cheyenne stood at the top of the leaderboard, a triumphant smile spreading across her face. Angela, Brittany, and all the other riders had been proven wrong. One person's garbage truly was another's gold.

 

INT. HATTIESBURG ARENA - WARM-UP PEN - DAY

The warm-up pen is filled with the nervous energy of riders preparing for the competition. Cheyenne, a confident and determined rider, is getting ready to practice her run on her horse, Nickel. Suddenly, a couple of Angela's friends enter the pen, riding their horses and attempting to ride against Cheyenne's. Cheyenne tries to ignore their attempts to distract her and focus on her own ride, but she soon grows frustrated. She stops her horse, dismounts, and approaches the two girls.

CHEYENNE What do you think you're doing, riding against me like that?

GIRL 1 Just trying to make sure we're ready for the competition.

CHEYENNE You're not helping anyone by riding like that. It's dangerous and disruptive.

GIRL 2 We didn't mean any harm.

CHEYENNE I don't care if you meant harm or not. You need to respect the other riders in the warm-up pen and give us all space to practice.

The girls nod, understanding the severity of their actions. Cheyenne mounts her horse again and continues her practice, this time with more focus and determination. The other riders in the warm-up pen begin to follow her lead, riding calmly and respectfully. The atmosphere becomes more relaxed, allowing everyone to better prepare for the upcoming competition.

 

Cheyenne Sullivan was in the hole as another rider sped by. Astride her horse in the waiting arena, she circled nervously, warming up for her run. The familiar routine helped to calm her nerves, but she had already spent nearly thirty minutes in the warm-up pen.

As she rode, her gaze caught the sight of her boyfriend's niece, Angela, and her mother Brittany, watching from the stands. "14.89 is the best time, Cheyenne," Brittany called out. "Do you think you can beat it?"

Cheyenne didn't respond to the challenge, instead focusing on the task at hand. "Who's in the lead?" she asked Brittany.

"My little girl is in the lead," Angela, a sixteen-year-old blonde with a rich, spoiled streak, smiled confidently at Cheyenne. "Your days as the top barrel racer in the area are over, Cheyenne."

Cheyenne forced an awkward smile, but her mind was now completely focused. It was her time to run. "Cheyenne Sullivan, you're up. Denise Crawford, you're in the hole," the announcer boomed.

With a boot to the stomach, Cheyenne and her horse took off down the alleyway, heading for barrel number one. The turn was smooth and they kicked up dirt as they headed for barrel number two. At most barrel shows, only those with a rider in the race filled the arena seats. But when Cheyenne ran, all the women came to watch. She was the standard they all aspired to reach, a National Finals Rodeo-level rider.

Cheyenne and her horse, Wildfire, thundered towards barrel number three. With a whip of speed, they circled around and headed back to the alleyway. The clock stopped, and as they slowed in the alleyway, they heard the announcer's voice ring out, "We have a new leader with a time of 14.81!"

Cheyenne didn't say a word, but she couldn't help but glance at Brittany and Angela again. They were staring at her with frowns on their faces. Cheyenne could hear her best friend and traveling partner, Jack, cheering for her as she headed back out of the arena and towards her truck to cool Wildfire down.

 

The sun slowly rose in the east, casting its amber light over the rolling hills and tall pine trees of Central Mississippi, creating a sea of green as far as the eye could see. Pelahatchie was a typical small town in America where blue-collar workers lived and raised their families. For anyone with big dreams, the town was a dead end and they would leave and never return.

The most popular sports in Mississippi were football, basketball, and baseball. Soccer was gaining popularity but still not as popular as Friday night football games. Many of the farmer kids participated in rodeo sports, including steer wrestling, roping, bull riding, bronc riding, and barrel racing. While most rodeo legends came from the west, the south would occasionally produce one or two great rodeo athletes. Cheyenne Sullivan was one of these southern rodeo legends.

Cheyenne was a familiar figure in the rodeo community of Pelahatchie. Her name was synonymous with barrel racing, and her reputation as the best in the area had been cemented by her journey to the NFR and a trip to Vegas ten years prior. But despite her success, Cheyenne was plagued by a nagging sense of defeat. She had not been back to Vegas since that fateful trip, and the struggle to return ate at her day in and day out. Yet, she never let her struggle show on the outside, hiding it behind her tough exterior and her deep faith in God's will.

Cheyenne was a woman of great strength, with a big heart and unwavering loyalty to those few friends she held dear. Her strong-willed nature made it difficult for anyone to change her mind once she had made a decision. This feistiness was a defining trait of her cowgirl nature, along with her hardworking, devoted, God-fearing, and deeply loving spirit.

Despite her reputation, many in Pelahatchie were unaware of Cheyenne's status as a semi-legend in the rodeo world. But those who were involved in western sports all knew her name. When she showed up at a barrel show or rodeo, it was almost a guarantee that she would place near the top. Her runs were characterized by her determination to overcome any slump, be it physical or emotional, and to always keep her focus on her next run.

The only slump Cheyenne could not shake was the one that prevented her from returning to Vegas, but she shared her struggles only with her closest friend and travel partner, Jackie Gunn. Despite her struggles, Cheyenne never lost her faith, always pushing forward and riding on with the strength and grace of a true cowgirl.

Before the first light of dawn reached her bedroom window, Cheyenne was already awake and getting dressed to feed her animals. Her boyfriend Cody was still in bed, but as she got dressed, he stirred, reached for the empty spot, and opened his eyes to see her getting ready.

"Hey babe," Cody murmured, still half asleep.

Cheyenne finished putting on her second boot and turned to face him. "What?" she asked.

Cody sat up on his elbow and smiled at her. "Can't you come back to bed and spend the day with me? No work, no horses, just you and I?"

Cheyenne thought about it for a moment, then shrugged her shoulders and replied, "You've got to be kidding, right? Horses come first, cowgirls second. And nothing comes for free. It costs somebody something somewhere."

Cody knew what Cheyenne meant by this. It was something her father had told her when she decided to take up barrel racing. It meant that you feed your animals before yourself and you have to work hard for everything you want in life. He knew what he was getting into when he met Cheyenne and that barrel racing cowgirls don't listen well.

Cheyenne walked out of the room and onto the front porch of her house, where she paused to take in the early morning light stretching across the horizon. She noticed a small flame burning to her right and smiled, as she always did, thinking of her father and mother, who were now both deceased. She then made her way down the stairs, across the gravel driveway, and towards the barn, where two horses were waiting for their morning feeding.

Cheyenne referred to her small farm as a ranch, even though it was far from a ranch. She had a few goats, chickens, ducks, a free-roaming pig named Nero, some dogs, a donkey, and several horses. Of all the horses, Cheyenne had two special horses that received most of her attention and special feeds. One was a gray with a coat that shone almost like silver, named Nickel, and the other was a flaming sorrel she called Wildfire, after her favorite song of all time, “Wildfire” by Michael Martin Murphy.

The two horses were awake and waiting for Cheyenne. They snorted and neighed as they heard her footsteps coming closer to the barn. As she swung open the barn doors, the darkness was filled with light. Cheyenne paused in the entrance, allowing the scents of hay, feed, and horse manure to fill her nostrils. It was a smell she loved as much as the smell of her morning coffee. Then it was time to feed the animals.

Cheyenne started her day with her usual morning routines. One of the fundamental principles of cowgirls was to feed the animals before attending to their own needs. This rule was not just a phrase for Cheyenne but was deeply ingrained in her, one of the eleven commandments she lived by.

First, she fed Nickel and Wildfire, who required special feed, then she fed the rest of the animals. After that, Cheyenne always took some time to spend with Nickel and Wildfire in their stalls. On some mornings, she would ride one of them for a few minutes before heading off to work. But today, she decided to groom them instead.

As she brushed Nickel's coat, she thought back to how she acquired the horse. It all started when her boyfriend, Cody's sister, Brittany, married a wealthy businessman named Saul Roberts. They had a daughter, Angela, whom Brittany spoiled with everything she wanted. So, when Angela wanted a horse, Brittany bought her one from out west for half a million dollars. But, Angela didn't like the horse and insisted it be put down, so Saul sold it to a kill barn. When Cody told Cheyenne about this, she immediately went to the kill barn, bought the horse for a low price, took it home, and worked on its issues. The horse soon started winning shows and rodeos, which only made the Roberts more hostile towards Cheyenne.

Wildfire, on the other hand, was Cheyenne's other prized horse, a red-headed stud with a sleek red coat and white blaze on his face. Cheyenne expected Wildfire to be special, and this was the year she planned to make him a champion barrel horse, just like her mare, Nickel. However, Cheyenne's decision to not put Wildfire out to stud disappointed many of her barrel racing friends. Only her friend, a fellow barrel racer named Jack, would dare to question her stubbornness.

After finishing her chores, Cheyenne saw that it was getting late. She said goodbye to her horses and was about to leave the barn when she thought she saw the image of a young girl with curly blonde hair. She recognized the girl but knew it couldn't be her, as she had died over fifteen years ago. "Honey," Cheyenne called out, but the girl didn't respond. Cheyenne slowly backed away, trying to reach the barn's exit, but was filled with horror and sadness as she realized she was staring at a ghost.

As Cheyenne approached the brightness of the barn doors, she quickly shut them, making sure they were locked. She leaned against the doors, looking up at the sky and on the verge of tears. "Honey?" she called out. "Why now?" This image had first appeared to her ten years ago when she qualified for the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) at nineteen. It was then that Honey appeared, and her NFR dream became a nightmare. Those ten days of rodeo were the worst of her life, and when it was over, Honey disappeared, never to be seen again. Cheyenne had not returned to the NFR since.

As she stood there, she heard a whisper, as if a voice was speaking in her head. It was Honey's voice, saying, "You have to let me go if you want to move on." The whisper faded away as the wind picked up, shaking the leaves in the trees. Cheyenne didn't run, instead, she crumpled to the ground in front of the barn doors and began to cry. As she cried, her mind drifted back to fifteen years earlier, when she was only fourteen years old.

"15 YEARS BEFORE"

Two young girls, Cheyenne and Honey, were walking together toward the trailer. Cheyenne was taller than most people and this made her respected among the girls, who feared her toughness and confidence. In contrast, Honey was a skinny, blonde girl who was shy and withdrawn, and often teased by other girls for her curly hair, skinny body, and the fact that she wore a helmet when riding horses.

As they walked back to the trailer, Honey explained to Cheyenne that she had to wear a helmet because her mother made her. Cheyenne encouraged Honey not to worry about what others thought or said, but Honey was tired of the teasing.

Once inside the trailer, Honey picked up her bike helmet and began to put it on, but Cheyenne noticed and said, "I wish your mother would let you wear a cowboy hat like I do. You'd look good in it and nobody would tease you."

Honey was less confident than Cheyenne and usually wore a bike helmet for protection, but Cheyenne followed a strict, traditional approach and only wore a cowboy hat when riding. Despite thinking that helmets looked silly, she never said anything to Honey about it.

One day, while they were in Meridian for a barrel show, Cheyenne decided to confront Honey about the helmet and use her influence to convince her to stop wearing it. When Honey asked Cheyenne how she looked, Cheyenne hesitated before asking, "Why do you wear that silly thing?" referring to the helmet.

Honey explained that her mother made her wear it in case she fell off her horse, but Cheyenne argued that Honey knew how to ride, so she wouldn't fall off. Cheyenne took off Honey's helmet and put a white cowboy hat on her head instead. "Now you look like a real cowgirl," she said.

Honey looked at herself in the mirror and liked the way she looked with the cowboy hat. She asked about her mother, but Cheyenne reminded her that they were 14 years old and old enough to make their own decisions about what they wore.

Honey was unsure, but when she saw that Cheyenne was more accepting of her, she smiled and nodded. "You're right, it's time to take off the diaper."

The two girls then headed out to their horses and Cheyenne had a successful ride, placing near the top of the leaderboard. She waited to watch Honey's run and was proud to see her come out with a determined spirit and make the first turn. However, during the third turn, Honey's ride went awry and she fell off her horse, hitting the fence and knocking off her cowboy hat.

Honey's horse approached the alleyway and her body collided with the fence bar, tossing her off the horse. Her cowboy hat flew one direction while her body went the other. Cheyenne stood in stunned silence, avoiding the sight of Honey's body as people rushed to attend to her. Her gaze was fixed on Honey's white cowboy hat, now resting on the arena's red soil.

                                                    Fade Back to Present

Cheyenne stood in stunned silence, watching as people rushed to attend to Honey's fallen body. The sudden impact of the fall, and the sight of Honey's lifeless form, had completely taken Cheyenne aback. She couldn't believe that her dear friend, the person she had spent countless hours riding and working alongside, was gone in an instant. Despite the chaos and commotion surrounding her, Cheyenne remained frozen in place, her gaze fixed on the white cowboy hat lying in the dirt of the arena. She felt a deep sense of shock and disbelief that was slowly giving way to a gut-wrenching sadness. The realization that Honey was truly gone hit her like a ton of bricks, leaving her feeling numb, even now, when it is nothing more than a memory from her past.  

Cheyenne woke herself from this memory and continued on with her chores.  She was know for her toughness, but even she couldn't overcome the pain of losing her best friend in a tragic accident. The experience left a deep impression on her and fueled her desire to stand up for those who were weaker and being bullied by those who were stronger. This newfound determination earned her a reputation as someone who was not to be messed with. Cheyenne's height, which was above average for a woman, only added to her intimidating presence and reinforced the message that she meant business. No one dared to challenge her and she became known as a protector of the weak.

Cheyenne entered the kitchen to find her boyfriend Cody seated at the table, sipping a cup of coffee and savoring a slice of toast. The rugged man was well known as a ladies' man, but lately, his heart and gaze belonged solely to Cheyenne. At thirty-five years old, Cody was slightly shorter than Cheyenne and possessed curly brown hair, a chiseled physique, and gentle blue eyes. A former bull rider, he now drove trucks for his brother-in-law, Saul Roberts. His days of bull riding had earned him a permanent limp and an empty bank account, but a few memories of buckle bunnies along the way made the bruises worth it.

"You hungry?" Cody asked as Cheyenne passed through the kitchen.

"Tired," she responded, not looking at him as she headed towards her bedroom. "I need to rest a bit before work."

"Why so tired?" Cody shouted after her. "Did I keep you up past your bedtime?"

Cheyenne walked into her bedroom, kicked off her boots, and crashed face-first onto the bed. She buried herself in the blanket and closed her eyes, seeking a few moments of peace. Cody followed her and sat down on the bed beside her, concerned. "You okay?" he asked softly, placing his hand on her forehead to check for a fever.

"I'm not sick," Cheyenne protested. "I just didn't sleep much."

"I can call Barrow and tell him you won't be in," Cody offered.

"I'll go to work," Cheyenne replied with a hint of sharpness. "They pay me to be there." She softened her tone. "Sorry, let me get some sleep first."

"A little lie never hurt anyone," Cody stated, leaning down to kiss her forehead and inhale her scent. "What shampoo is that? Smells good."

"Dirt, grit, and horseshit," Cheyenne replied sarcastically.

Cody leaned back and gazed at the wall, not sure how to ask Cheyenne the real reason for his sudden interest in her horse. "People at work have been asking me about your stud," he said softly.

Cheyenne's eyes shot open, as she knew exactly what Cody meant. "What people?" she asked with suspicion.

Cody could see her anger rising. "Just some guys at work with daughters who barrel race," he lied, hoping she wouldn't catch on.

But she did. "Tell your coworkers I'm going to be riding my horse in barrel shows this year and won't put him up for stud for a few more years," Cheyenne said sternly.

"You could make a lot of money now, with business being hot," Cody pressed.

Cheyenne sat up and looked Cody in the eyes. "What are you getting at, Cody?"

"Nothing," Cody lied again. "I was just trying to find out when you'd put him out to stud so I could tell people who keep asking me about it, like I know anything about horses."

Cheyenne's voice grew louder. "Then why the sudden interest in my stud?"

"Our stud," Cody corrected. "I take care of that horse as much as you do."

Cheyenne let out a chuckle. “Yeah, you take care of him, but not as much as I do, and it's not always with enthusiasm.” She stood up and started changing her clothes as she added, “I know it’s because of your sister's request.” She then headed for the bathroom door.

“Okay, Cheyenne come on. It's your horse,” Cody shouted. “I apologize for bringing up this subject.”

“You're right,” Cheyenne replied as she stuck her head back out of the bathroom door while removing her bra and panties. She stood in front of Cody, now wearing nothing. “And by the way, why does she want to use my stud? She can buy her own. Have you ever thought about that? Why does it have to be my horse?” Cheyenne pointed to her chest. “Have you considered that?” she asked before turning and slamming the bathroom door, leaving Cody standing alone in the bedroom, surrounded by the sound of the door's echoes.

                                                                       *  *  *  * 

The Diva Dive is a quaint café located in Pelahatchie off of Interstate 20. The walls are adorned with pictures of cowboys and cowgirls, some well-known and some not so much. On display were photos of rodeo legends like Lecille Harris and Denny Flynn, along with champions from the Southeast. As a rodeo-themed restaurant, the café was a popular pitstop for barrel racers, steer wrestlers, and bronc riders on the Southeast circuit.

The café was run by Jackie Gardner, a blonde woman in her mid-thirties who went by the name Jack. Jack had inherited the restaurant from her aunt and made sure it was open 24/7 on weekends for late-night rodeo cowboys in need of a hot meal and a friendly chat about horses. Jack was a barrel racer herself and had her own rodeo dreams, so the rodeo community respected her deeply.

The Diva Dive was also a hub for people involved in western sports to exchange information about horse sales, tack, trucks, trailers, and gossip floating around the circuit. Jack's best friend and travel partner, Cheyenne, was in the loop as well. So when Jack saw her arch nemesis, Brittany and Angela, walk into the café, she quickly text Cheyenne to let her know. Jack approached the women who were sitting in a quiet corner near the window, a suspicious change from their usual table in the center of the restaurant.

"How y'all doing?" Jack greeted the women with a sweet Southern accent.

"Jack," Brittany responded, "We're doing just great."

Jack noticed that Angela looked uneasy and Brittany seemed a bit defensive. She asked if they needed anything to drink. Brittany asked Angela if she wanted coffee, to which Angela responded with an offensive reply. Jack didn't react and went to get the coffee. Angela complained about Jack not responding to her request, but Brittany reminded her to be more respectful to people. Angela insulted Jack, calling her trash and an old buckle bunny from way back in the day. Brittany corrected her and added a rumor about Jack entertaining cowboys in the shed behind the café. The women laughed about it.

Jack returned with the coffee and set it on the table with a saucer full of milk, sugar, and cream, along with a spoon. She asked if they wanted anything to eat, but Angela asked for a clean spoon as she noticed a speck on the original one. Jack obligingly returned with a clean spoon and the women decided to stick to just the coffee.

Cody looked down at his hands that he had held together with the fingers interwoven in each one and laughed. “It’s okay. She’s just hard headed and I knew that if I said it was you who was inquiring about it she wouldn’t even consider it, with all the bad blood between the two of you over the years.” 

Cody let out a hearty laugh as he interlaced his fingers and gazed down at his hands. "It's all good. She's just a stubborn one, and I knew if I told her it was you who wanted to breed her stud, she wouldn't even consider it. There's just too much bad blood between you two."

Brittany shrugged. "She's the one with the bad blood. I've always been as friendly as I could be with her."

"Well, either way, she's not gonna let you breed that mare out there with her stud, even if she is using it for breeding herself," Cody said.

Brittany quickly quieted Cody and Angela as they turned to see what had caught her eye. Jack was returning with a spoon and Cody's coffee. She placed the cup in front of him and then produced a shiny new silver spoon. "Here you go, Angela. A brand new silver spoon," she said, holding it up to the window light. Jack placed the spoon beside Angela on the napkin. "Can I get you anything else?"

"I'm good," Cody replied.

"So, what are the three of you discussing today?" Jack asked with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. She knew from their furtive behavior that they were up to something, and she had her suspicions about Brittany's Oedipal control over Cody.

Brittany was taken aback by Jack's implication of a conspiracy. "We're just catching up, Jack. That's all."

"Yes, of course. Cody, who should be at work right now, is instead having coffee with his sister. I'm sorry I suggested otherwise. It's good to see that family is still important to our community," Jack corrected herself, smiling warmly.

Angela hugged Cody tight. "We love our Uncle Cody."

Jack returned the smile. "Alright then, if you need anything else, just give me a call," she said, before turning and walking back to the kitchen, where she stood watch over the trio through the service window.

Once Jack was out of earshot, Cody continued the conversation. "The way I see it, the only way your mare is going to get that stud's semen is if we take it over there and breed her without Cheyenne finding out."

Angela and Brittany's faces lit up at the idea of stealing the valuable semen. "I guess you're right," Brittany said.

"Is she in heat right now?" Cody asked.

Brittany chuckled. "Horny as a fifteen-year-old with an overactive sex drive."

"Can you make it over there in the next couple of hours?" Cody whispered.

"I can," Brittany replied with a grin.

"Let me run home and make sure she's not around. And Angela, we'll need a couple of your friends to keep an eye out for Cheyenne and warn us if she shows up. Can you find anyone for that?"

"Don't worry about it. I've got bitches that'll do what I say," Angela boasted.

Brittany looked at Cody. "You sure you want to do this?"

"I'm not, but it's the only way," he said firmly.

"If she finds out, she'll hit the roof," Brittany warned with a smirk.

"Well, I guess I'll be crashing in the bunkhouse again if that happens," Cody said with a shrug. "Let me run home, I'll check that the coast is clear."

He savored his coffee, then spoke with resolve, “Allow me to dash home, I'll survey the scene and send you a message. We must act swiftly and pray that the stud performs as he ought to on the first attempt.”

Brittany fixed her gaze on Cody, “If it comes to fruition, I'll compensate you the stud fee I had intended for Arizona. Would five thousand dollars suffice?”

Cody gave a single nod, “Agreed.”

The trio lingered over their coffee, while Jack monitored their conversation. She sent a text to Cheyenne, but received no reply, as Cheyenne deemed the situation inconsequential. As the three of them departed the café, Jack failed to inform Cheyenne of Cody's departure with his sister, instead opting to focus on her customers and give her all to her job. Such trivialities as Cody and Brittany's dealings held no weight for her at present.

                                                                       *  *  *  *

The sun beat down on the rocky, red dirt driveway as a black SUV marked with MALTB pulled up. Cheyenne, a young woman with a passion for horses and protection, stepped out of the vehicle, her partner, John Barlow, following behind. As protectors of the weak, the two of them worked for the Mississippi Agriculture and Livestock Theft Bureau, investigating crimes related to theft of agriculture and livestock products.

The farmer, a man in his sixties, had been getting off his tractor when the SUV pulled up. He watched as the two detectives approached him, and upon recognition, he greeted Cheyenne warmly, having known her since she was a child. "I knew that girl since she was knee high to a cricket," the farmer said with a chuckle. "Her daddy was the finest sheriff this county ever had."

Barlow was surprised by the familiarity between the two, but the farmer was quick to explain that he had known Cheyenne and her family for years. "If you're anything like your daddy, they got a good one," the farmer said to Cheyenne. "I take it y'all here about my stolen cows."

The two detectives followed the farmer around to the back of the property, where he showed them a broken fence and the missing cattle. Barlow and Cheyenne took pictures and gathered evidence, grateful for the farmer's permission to enter his land. "It's a long walk back there," the farmer called out to them, offering the use of his old blue Ford pickup truck. Cheyenne and Barlow thanked the farmer for his kindness and headed out to solve the crime.

Barlow and Cheyenne arrived at the farm, where they were greeted by a weathered old farmer who stood outside his rickety wooden cabin. They learned that the fence on the property had been broken and thirty cattle had been stolen. Barlow asked the farmer for permission to investigate the scene, to which the farmer graciously agreed.

"Thank you, sir," Cheyenne said, following Barlow as he headed towards the broken fence. "It's a long walk back there," the farmer called after them, pointing to an old blue Ford pickup truck that was parked off to the side. "You can take my old pick up back there if you like. She ain't much to look at but she runs."

Barlow and Cheyenne exchanged a quick glance and shrugged their shoulders. "Better than walking all the way back there," Cheyenne said. "I agree," Barlow replied, and he shouted back to the farmer, "That'll be great. Thank you very much."

The two hopped into the truck, with Barlow taking the driver's seat. However, he soon realized that the truck was a standard shift, and he didn't know how to drive one. "It's a standard. I don't know how to drive a standard," he exclaimed, adding, "I don't see a gear shift on this thing."

Cheyenne, who had been riding shotgun, looked over at him and said, "It's an old column shift. You want me to drive?" Barlow turned to her, surprised. "You know how to drive this thing?" he asked.

"I can drive a standard. Might be a little rusty on the column shift, but I'll figure it out," Cheyenne said confidently. "It's all yours," Barlow replied, and the two switched places. The old farmer watched with a smile as the truck rumbled to life and Cheyenne took control of the wheel.

As they made their way towards the broken fence, Barlow and Cheyenne were bounced around in the rough-riding truck. "This thing rides rough," Barlow complained, but Cheyenne just laughed. "I don't know if it's the old shocks going out or the springs in the seat worn out. This is the life, Barlow. You should get out of Madison and come live with us country folk."

"I'm fine right where I am," Barlow replied. "I'm not cut out for country living."

Once they reached the site of the broken fence, Barlow quickly went to work collecting evidence, while Cheyenne snapped photos with her camera. They scoured the area for footprints, tire tracks, cigarette butts, and anything else that might help them track down the culprits. After about an hour of investigating, they had gathered all the evidence they could find and headed back to the truck.

The old farmer watched as they climbed back into the truck, a satisfied smile on his face. "City boys," he muttered to himself, as he watched the truck disappear into the distance.

"The likelihood of finding any witnesses to this heist is slim," Barlow sighed, surveying the desolate logging road in the middle of the night. "I suspect the perpetrators were well aware of the quiet seclusion of this road, a convenient route to the farmer's fence where they made off with the cattle."

"So, it's either hunger, a logger, or someone familiar with the farmer's land," Cheyenne mused, pointing to the tire tracks. "Definitely a dually, like the one I drove up here this morning."

"Ah, yes," Barlow nodded. "That's right, you did arrive in one. I suppose it's a common mode of transportation around here for cattle haulers."

Cheyenne chuckled. "It is. So, are you ready to head back to town and get some coffee? I could go for a strong cup of Joe."

"I'm with you there," Barlow agreed, stifling a yawn. "I'm dragging today."

"I know just the place," Cheyenne beamed, leading the way back to the truck. "The Diva Dive in Pelahatchie. It's run by a barrel racer and a real special lady."

"Diva Dive?" Barlow raised a brow. "What's with the name?"

"Ah, that's a rodeo thing," Cheyenne explained as she cranked up the engine. "Some of the guys label us barrel racers as Red Dirt Divas, you know, because we're women and can be a handful with our independent spirit."

"Interesting," Barlow said, settling into the passenger seat. "I didn't realize your father was in law enforcement."

"He was," Cheyenne said quietly, memories of her father flooding her mind. "But he was killed when I was just a little girl. I didn't get to know him as well as many others did."

"I'm so sorry," Barlow said, feeling a pang of sympathy for her loss.

"It's okay," Cheyenne said with a shrug, a hint of sadness in her voice. "It was a long time ago."

The truck rolled down the road in silence for a few moments, and Cheyenne gazed ahead, avoiding eye contact with Barlow. Suddenly, she turned to him and asked, "So, I've been working for the bureau for just over a year now. I've never been on a cattle rustling case. What's it like? Do you ever find the cows and what shape are they in when you do?"

                                                                      *  *  *  * 

Barlow took a hearty bite of his hamburger, savoring the taste. He let out a contented growl and washed it down with a swig of Coca-Cola. "Greasy and well-done," he declared with a chuckle, "just like most of the cattle around here."

Cheyenne took a bite of her own burger and looked at Barlow. "They steal cows just for the meat?" she asked.

"When meat prices are high, a stolen cow can fetch a pretty penny," Barlow explained. "Most of the rustlers I've caught were good people in a tough spot—gambling debts, drug bills, even medical expenses. Cattle rustling is not a crime of opportunity committed by armed robbers looking for a quick score. It requires knowledge of cattle and the industry. You don't just become a cattle thief overnight."

"How's your burger, Mr. Barlow?" Jack asked as he reentered the room.

"Delicious," Barlow replied.

"We've got the two best cooks in these parts in the kitchen," Jack boasted, pointing to the open service window where a large, young black boy named Teddy and a skinny, old white man named Steve were working. "Teddy learned to cook from his momma, and Steve learned to cook in prison."

Barlow raised an eyebrow. "Prison? What was he in for?"

"Murder," Jack said with a smirk.

Barlow nearly choked on his burger. "Murder? Did he do it?"

"Guilty as sin," Jack confirmed. "Shot the guy in the head three times. Steve said the first shot did the trick, but he fired two more just to be sure."

Cheyenne jumped in to explain. "Steve was in a bar and some big drunk picked a fight with him to impress a woman. Steve ended the fight, but it cost him thirty years in prison. Arizona's dad used to visit him every month, working to get him released, before his watch came to a sudden end."

"The judicial system doesn't always consider the morality of a crime, just its legality," Jack added. "And the word 'reformed' is just a bullshit term used by bureaucrats to justify their jobs."

At that moment, Barlow's phone began to vibrate. He glanced at the caller ID and answered the call, excusing himself from the women as he headed outside.

"Barlow is quite the tall drink of water," Jack commented, watching him through the window. "I could use a big guy like him to rock me to sleep at night."

Cheyenne rolled her eyes. "You already have a guy that causes enough problems. I suggest you deal with him before looking for someone else."

Jack remembered that Cody had stopped by earlier and asked Cheyenne if she had been informed. "Did I tell you Cody dropped by earlier?"

"Yes, you texted me," Cheyenne replied. "Why was he here at ten in the morning? Shouldn't he have been at work?"

"He should have been at work, but I don't know why he wasn't," Cheyenne said, shrugging.

"Jack, I believe we require the table of champions to be set." Angela spoke with a playful smirk dancing on her lips.

"It's in the women's restroom, first stall." Cheyenne replied, her tone teasing.

"Oh, Arizona, you are quite the jester," Angela chuckled, turning to her friends before facing Cheyenne once more. "Cody instructed me to say hello if I were to see you."

"And when did you see Cody?" Cheyenne asked with a raised brow.

"We've been with him all morning. You know he deserves better than you," Angela said with a taunting grin.

"I'm aware of the Roberts' wealth and their proclivity for greed, but c'mon Angela, it's the twenty-first century," Cheyenne retorted, unperturbed by Angela's jibe.

"There's a table over there, Angela," Jack interjected, pointing in its direction.

The implications of Arizona's words, suggesting Angela's interest in Cody, hurt Angela so much that she was left speechless. Gathering her friends, she moved towards the table Jack was escorting them to.

After seating the girls, Jack returned to Cheyenne's side. "There's a lot of talent in that group," Jack said as she began pouring drinks.

"Indeed," Cheyenne said, taking a sip of her coke. "But they have the wrong attitude."

At that moment, a trio of women approached the bar. "Great food as always, Jack," one of them praised.

"Thanks, honey. Are you all going to the rodeo in the Burg this weekend?" Jack asked.

"I'm still considering it. My husband's mad at me for spending so much money on barrel racing without winning anything," the woman replied.

"Just keep at it, girl. It'll turn around eventually," Jack reassured her.

"I hope so. Have a good day," the woman said before turning to leave, followed by her friends.

As they made their way out, Barlow entered the café, but the women pushed him back out and walked past him, one of them saying "Ladies first." The last of the women playfully smacked him on the rear as she passed. "Getting a bit soft in the backside, aren't we?" she laughed.

Barlow watched the women walk towards their truck, then took his seat beside Arizona. Cheyenne and Jack had observed the whole scene and now smiled at him. "What's wrong with them?" he asked, bewildered.

"Who knows?" Cheyenne said with a chuckle. "Being crazy is just part of being a barrel racer."

Jack raised her coffee cup and said, "Ain't that the truth?" before taking a sip. Barlow simply looked from one to the other before settling back into his seat and quietly resumed eating his hamburger.

 

 

Moses Beason, a tall, skinny black man in his fifties, led Angela's mare off the horse trailer. Moses was a man of few words, but his knowledge of horses was unmatched. He had grown up around them and taught himself everything he could about them as a boy. Despite not having any official education or degree, he knew more about horses than most vets and his farrier work was second to none. People clamored to hire him for his expertise, but not everyone could afford his services. The Roberts made sure Moses had everything he needed to train, care for, and feed the horses in their stable, and Moses appreciated the job, even though he didn't have much affection for the animals themselves. Moses was a man of knowledge and skill, but his respect was not for sale.

Meanwhile, Brittany was texting with her daughter, Angela. “Angela says she’s at The Dive,” she told Cody as he opened the stall door to let the mare in. “Where’s she?” asked Cody. “At the Dive,” Brittany replied. “Shit!” Cody muttered, rethinking his decision to let Wildfire breed the mare. He looked at Wildfire, who was now restless in his stall. “If Barlow is with her, they should be heading back to the office after they eat. Ask her if there’s a tall man, probably in a suit, with Arizona,” he instructed Brittany. Brittany sent a message and quickly received a reply. “She says there’s a tall man with her,” she reported to Cody. “It’s very unlikely they’ll come back to the house together. They’re probably finishing up an investigation and heading back to Jackson,” Cody surmised. “I think we still have plenty of time. Keep an eye on her just in case,” he told Brittany.

As Moses brought the mare into her stall, Cody attempted to put a halter and lead line on Wildfire, but the horse reared up and Cody backed away. “Hold up there,” Moses said, taking the halter from Cody. “You can’t go after a stud like that. You don’t know much about horses, do you?” “Not a thing, Moses,” Cody admitted with a smile. “You just hold the mare and I’ll handle everything,” Moses said, entering Wildfire's stall. He quickly had the halter on the stud and led him out of the stall. He took Wildfire for a couple of runs around the barn before bringing him back in and running him past the mare. The horses neighed and sparred for a moment, but soon Wildfire was able to mount the mare and start breeding. “Try not to leave any marks on him. Cheyenne will flip out if there’s a mark on her horse,” Cody told Moses. “If the girl knows her horses as well as you say, she’ll know this stud has been breeding a mare,” Moses replied. Brittany looked over at Cody, who made a choking sound in his throat. “She ain’t that damn good, Moses. Get that stud to do his thing and we’ll get out of here,” Brittany said, still keeping watch at the barn entrance and texting Angela. Despite some loud neighs, the breeding was successful.

Angela kept a watchful eye on Cheyenne, who sat at the bar, engaged in conversation with Jack, while Barlow listened in. Her friends were gathered at a nearby table, sipping on their shakes and chatting amongst themselves. But Angela was focused solely on observing Cheyenne.

As she finished her meal and prepared to leave, Angela decided to act. "It looks like they're done," she said to her friends, who promptly looked up. "I need to get close enough to hear them, make sure they're not heading back to Arizona's place," Angela added, directing one of her friends to wait at the four-way stop until they arrived.

Angela approached the bar, where Jack and Cheyenne were still talking. "That was good food," Cheyenne said to Jack.

"Delicious," Barlow confirmed, stretching after his meal. "I don't think I can go back to work now." He reached for his wallet, but Cheyenne insisted on paying.

"I don't have to, but I want to," she told Barlow.

"I'm not going to argue with you," he replied. "But I'm buying next time."

"It's a deal," Cheyenne agreed.

Barlow asked Jack for directions to the bathroom and Jack obliged. As Cheyenne prepared to pay for the meal, she was surprised to see the bill marked "paid in full."

"You can't expect your customers not to pay for their food or you won't stay in business," she protested.

"I like to show my appreciation for local law enforcement," Jack explained with a smile.

Before Cheyenne could respond, Angela interjected with a snarky tone, "It's real good of you to be handing out free food to the needy. It makes my heart happy."

As Cheyenne and Jack debated the payment for her meal, Angela appeared behind them, her presence bringing the conversation to a halt.

"It's quite generous of you to be handing out free food to those in need," Angela said, her heart swelling with warmth at the sight.

"I'll be paying for my meal, thank you," Cheyenne countered, pulling out a twenty-dollar bill and placing it in Jack's shirt pocket.

"Thanks," Jack replied with a smile, patting his pocket.

Angela turned to Cheyenne. "Where are you headed to, Arizona? Back home to ride your horses?" she asked in a sardonic tone.

"Oh, Angela. If only I could leave work whenever I wanted and go horseback riding, but alas, I have a job and responsibilities," Cheyenne replied. "Regular folks can't make a living without working for it."

"That must be tough," Angela said with a laugh, before stepping up to the counter to pay Jack.

"What about you, Jack? Any plans for the weekend?" Angela asked as Jack took her money and gave her the change.

"I'm thinking of heading to Hattiesburg," Jack answered. "But you know, I've seen you run, Angela. I think you stand a better chance of winning at a local feed run. No sense in going to Hattiesburg where the competition is too tough."

"I've come in second to you a few times, but that won't happen again," Angela countered, her confidence radiating. "My horse, Rabbit, was born to run."

With that, Angela paid for her shakes and waved to her friends at the table, leading them out of the diner and across the parking lot to their cars. Jack watched as they left, remarking, "There's a lot of talent in that group."

"Yeah, but they've got the wrong attitude," Cheyenne said with a smile, as she and Barlow left the diner.

As they drove away, Cheyenne noticed Angela's car parked by the side of the road and saw Angela giving her the finger as they drove by.

"Those girls are up to something," Cheyenne told Barlow.

"I hope it's not criminal activity. It's sad to see young people go down that path," Barlow replied.

"I don't think it's criminal, but they're definitely up to something sneaky," Cheyenne said with a frown.

"Whatever it is, it'll come to light in due time," Barlow commented, as they continued down the road.

 

Cheyenne arrived home at around five o'clock in the evening. She stepped into the living room, where she found Cody sprawled out on the couch with a beer in hand. She placed her gun and badge on the table, then walked over and stretched out beside him.

"Hard day at work?" Cheyenne asked him.

"Nah, we didn't have much to do today so I took the day off," Cody replied. "How about you? How was your day?"

"Just the usual. A stolen tractor here, a few cattle stolen over there," Cheyenne said with a shrug.

"No shootouts with criminals today?" Cody asked.

"Not today," Cheyenne replied. She took Cody's beer and took a swig, then placed it back on the coffee table. She turned to face him.

"Jack told me she saw you at the Dive today," Cheyenne said, arching an eyebrow.

Cody knew he couldn't lie to Cheyenne. "Oh yeah, I wanted to talk to Brittany face to face instead of just texting. I wanted to tell her what you said this morning about breeding her mare."

"How did she take it?" Cheyenne asked.

"She tried to throw money at the problem like she always does," Cody said with a shake of his head. "But I told her what you said about the stud not breeding today."

"And?" Cheyenne prodded.

"I also told her I'm not sure why you're so stubborn about it. Why don't you want to let the stud start breeding the mares?" Cody asked, wrapping his arms around her.

Cheyenne snuggled into his embrace. "Because I don't want Wildfire to lose focus on barrels. That's all he'll be able to think about once he starts breeding."

Cody leaned in to kiss her. "So you're going to stop me, but let Wildfire breed?"

Cheyenne smiled against his lips. "I have to go ride my horses," she said after a few seconds, pulling away. "Let's wait until tonight."

"Save a horse, ride a cowboy," Cody teased with a grin.

Cheyenne chuckled. "I like intellectual conversation after a good ride, and horses seem to be much smarter than the average cowboy," she quipped as she headed back out the door.

As Cheyenne walked towards the barn, she was filled with frustration. Wildfire, her prized stud, had never acted this way before. He was always eager to perform, but today he was more interested in the mares in the field. 

She saddled him up, but he was resistant and uncooperative. "What's gotten into you today, boy?" Cheyenne muttered as she tried to get the horse under control. 

Cody watched as Cheyenne struggled with Wildfire and fidgeted nervously in his seat. He felt guilty for what he had done, and he knew that he was taking a huge risk. But the thought of the money that the foal would bring in kept him going. "I don't think that's necessary," Cody said, trying to sound casual, when 

Cheyenne mentioned her plans to call the vet. "Wildfire seemed fine when I rode him this morning." "Really? Because I could barely get him to listen to me out there," Cheyenne said with a raised eyebrow. 

Cody stumbled over his words as he tried to come up with an excuse. "Well, he might just be in one of his moods. You know how he can be sometimes." Cheyenne looked skeptical. "I suppose. But I think it's better to be safe than sorry. 

I'll call the vet tomorrow." Cody's heart sank as he realized that his secret might soon be uncovered. He knew he had to come clean to Cheyenne, but he was scared of losing her trust. He just had to hope that the foal would be worth it in the end. 

 "Don't you worry, Cheyenne," Johnny said, tipping his cowboy hat back. "I'll give him a thorough examination and we'll get to the bottom of what's been going on. This horse has a fine lineage and I don't want to see anything happen to him."

As Johnny worked, Cheyenne's thoughts turned to Cody. She couldn't believe he would betray her like that. She had always trusted him, but now she wasn't so sure. She wondered how long he had been hiding the truth from her.

"Well, it looks like we've got ourselves a situation here," Johnny said, interrupting her thoughts. "This stud's been busy, that's for sure. I count at least three different mares he's bred with."

Cheyenne's heart sank. She couldn't believe it. All the work she had put into training this horse, and now it was all for nothing.

"I'll go talk to Cody and find out what's been going on," Cheyenne said, determination in her voice. "He's got some explaining to do."

Johnny nodded. "You do that, Cheyenne. And don't you worry. I'll take good care of this horse for you. You've got a fine animal here."

Cheyenne thanked Johnny and walked away, her mind racing. She was angry, hurt, and confused all at the same time. But one thing was for sure: she wasn't going to let Cody get away with this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TO BE CONTINUED:  

Cheyenne is grooming one of her horses.  It is Nickel.  a white horse.
    Angela tells cheyenne "i got the top time." 
    Cheyenne responds.  "Good job." 
    Brittany "you running that crazy horse?"
they watch as Brittany and Angela ride off.  
    Jack tells Cheyenne they are jealous of you.
    Cheyenne.  Ain't nothing wrong with this horse. 
    Jack asked Cheyenne how she got the horse and cheyenne tells her     
Hattiesburg Barrel Race which Cheyenne wins
    establishes conflict between Brittany and Angela
    Angela see's Cheyenne is riding Nickel, a  horse she sold to a kill barn
    Cheyenne tops Angela's time and wins the Barrel race. 
Cheyenne wakes up.  Cody, her boyfriend, tries to get her to come back to bed
    cheyenne insists that she needs to feed horses
Cheyenne goes out to feed the horses.  Nickel and Wildfire
    cheyenne runs into a ghost froma  past
    remember teh day that her friend was killed at a barrel racing show because she
    teased her not to wear a helmet and a wear a cowboy hat instead.
    The stress of the NFR is making her doubt herself again. 
Cheyenne leaves the barn in a hurry after feeding horses
Cheyenne ad Cody discuss her staying home from work.  
    Cheyenne insits she ain't someone who stays hone
    Cody asked about the stud.  Cheyenne suspects that Cody wants to know
    it for a reason.
The Diva Dive:  Cody meets Angela and Brittany to discuss about getting Cheyenne
    to breed one of Angela's horses with her stud's winning studline.
    They agree to do it when Cheyenne's at work. 
    Jack, who runs the Diva Dive, watches them and let's Cheyenne know that
    cody is with his sister.  Cheyenne insists its nothing. 
    Cody, Brittany and Angela leave together. 
Cheyenne and Barlow go off to investigate a cattle rustling.
Cheyenne and Barlow decide to grab lunch at the Diva Dive
Angela returns to teh Diva Dive.  She is there to spy on Cheyenne
Cody, Angela and Moses, a black breeder, brings the horses together and gets Cheyenne's stud,
to breed to Angelas mare.  
    Brittany.  Angela says that Cheyenne is at teh Diva Dive. 
    Keep an eye on her. 
Cheyenne is on the way home and her and Brittany pass each other.  They stop in the middle of the road
    "You going to the Kill, this weekend."  Brittany asked
    Cheyenne yeah.  "What you guys doing out this way"
    Angela wanted to get out and ride with her friend, Summer" 
    "You ever get that mare bred?" 
    "Yeah, we found a stud. You know we would have liked to breed with yours."
    Maybe next year.
    Brittany bid Cheyenne goodbye, reved her diesel engine and left Cheyenne setting in the middle of the
    road breathing diesle fumes. 
    Angela laughs. 
Cheyenne gets hom and she decides to take her stud out to ride.  
    She notices tire tracks in the driveway.  "who has been here." 
    She tries to ride the stud but he seems to be interested in the mares.
    What is wrong with you?"
Cheyenne and her Vet is checking out the stud.  
    What is wrong with him.
    The vet points out that the stud has been used to breed and isn't going to be cooperative because it wants a mare.
Cheyenne heads isnto the house, mad as hell at Cody.  
    You let Brittany breed her horse to my stud didn't you.
    Cody breaks and admits his guilt.
    Get out of the house. 
Cheyenne and Barlow are talking about their cattle rustling case.  
    Barlow see's that cheyenne is upset. 
    We are after some truckers who have been part of the cattle rustling. 
Cheyenne and Jack are riding together in a truck.  Cheyenne is talking with Jack.  "Cody let Brittany breed angela's mare with my stud.
    He's a good guy, jack insists.  Don't let a horse come between you and your man.
    I trust a horse more than I trust a man
    But horses kick, "Jack lets her know.
    I can't believe you are going to meridian.  jack tells her. 
    I haven't been there since I was a girl.
    jack why
    Cheyenne doesn't tell her.  "I don't like the dirt."
    Bullshit.  Its's soemthing else.  
Meridian barrel race.  cheyenne and angela are warming up and angela keeps taunting cheyenne.  
Cheyenne is looking at the spot of where her friend Honey died and she looks again at where that cowboy hat
laid in the dirt.  
Her daydream is broken by Cody who comes to the barrel race.
    I can't trust you. 
Jack comes out.  I had a good run.  "Angela's in the lead again."  
Cheyenne says we will see about that.  
Cheyenne rides off and takes off on another run.  
Jack tells Cody, he really messed up this time.  
"I did, " cody admits.  
Jack asked cody "Cheyenne doesn't know about your past does she"
Cody looks at Jack, and shakes his head no.
Jack tells him "I heard there's been a few cattle rustling in the area.  YOu wouldn't know anyuthing about
that.
cody insist "that lifestyle is behinnd me.
Good," jack tells him  
Cheyenne runs and takes the lead.  
"Don't mess with the girl," cody she is on her game again and is going to vegas. 

I. Introduction : B roll of Hattiesburg Arena.  shots of people getting ready and some riding, dirt flying, mother's shouting for daughter. 

A. Angela's Barrel Race - 

    Shot of Angela (16 year old blonde) on the back of her horse.  

    Angela rides out of the alleyway and circles three barrels and rides back to the alleywa

    We hear the announcer announce that Angela has taken top  spot on the leader board. 

    Brittany, who is filming Angela with her phone, is seen screaming applause to Angela with her friends.

B. Brittany and Angela walking her horse back to the stall. 

    Brittany and Angela are walking back to the stall. 

   Brittany "You beat Cheyenne's time."  

    Angela "she got another ride." 

    Brittany (chuckles) on that wild stallion she stole from you.  That's not a barrel horse.  It needs 

       a bullet to its head.  

    They see Cheyenne who is saddling Nickel.  

    Angela "sushes her mother. 

 "There she is."    

    Cheyenne when she see's Brittany and Angela, she gives them a smile, but continues saddling her horse.     Brittany tells her "Cheyenne my baby is at the of the leader board."  

    "Congragulations."  I

    Brittany "you riding that thing you stole from us." 

    Cheyenne "I  didn't steal it, brittany.  I bought it from the kill barn."  

    "that's a dud," brittany tells her.

    Cheyenne just smiles "one persons garbage is another's person gold."  

    "Well good luck on that thing.   I'll pray for you."

    Cheyenne "Why"

    Brittany "Because you are going to need it when you get on that crazy bastard."  

Angela and Brittany continue on toward their stalls. 

Jack, a blonde forty year old woman, shows up with some water.  

    JACK "what is that all about?" 

    cheyenne "just more roberts bragging about their dausghter."  

    Jack "she at tthe topof the leader board. 

    Cheyenne finishes  saddling her horse, then gets on, and with a smile down at Jack she say's "for now." She heads toward the warm up pen.  

C. Angela takes top time 

D. Cheyenne congratulates Angela

 

II. Conflict between Brittany and Angela 

A. Brittany asks Angela about riding "that crazy horse" 

B. Jack tells Cheyenne that others are jealous of her 

C. Cheyenne wins the Hattiesburg Barrel Race 

D. Angela sees Cheyenne riding a horse she sold to a kill barn

 

III. Cheyenne's Doubts 

A. Cheyenne wakes up and her boyfriend tries to get her to come back to bed 

B. Cheyenne goes out to feed the horses 

C. Cheyenne encounters a ghost from the past 

D. The stress of the NFR is making her doubt herself again

 

IV. The Diva Dive 

A. Cody, Angela, and Brittany discuss breeding Cheyenne's horse with Angela's 

B. Jack lets Cheyenne know about Cody and the others being at the Diva Dive 

C. Cheyenne and Barlow go off to investigate cattle rustling 

D. Angela returns to the Diva Dive to spy on Cheyenne

 

V. Trouble at Home 

A. Cheyenne and Brittany pass each other on the road 

B. Cheyenne takes her stud out to ride 

C. Cheyenne finds tire tracks in the driveway 

D. Cheyenne discovers that Cody let Brittany breed her horse with her stud 

E. Cheyenne kicks Cody out of the house

 

VI. Cattle Rustling Case 

A. Cheyenne and Barlow discuss their case

 

 .VII. Truck Ride to Meridian

 B. Jack gives Cheyenne advice about Cody 

C. Cheyenne and Jack heads to Meridian for the barrel race

 

VII. Meridian Barrel Race 

A. Cheyenne and Angela warm up and Angela taunts Cheyenne 

B. Cheyenne revisits the spot where her friend died 

C. The outcome of the barrel race is yet to be determined.

 

 

I. Introduction:

• B-Roll of the Hattiesburg Arena, as the dust flies and mothers cheer on their kids.
• Cameras follow the action, capturing the thrills and excitement of the rodeo.

A. Angela's Barrel Race:

• The camera pans to a shot of Angela, a sixteen-year-old blonde, as she straddles her horse.
• With a nod, she sets off, her horse galloping towards the first barrel.
• The crowd holds its breath as she circles around each one, making her way back to the alleyway.
• The announcer booms, "And we have a winner! Angela takes the top spot on the leaderboard!"
• Brittany, filming the race on her phone, is seen jumping up and down, screaming and clapping.

B. Brittany and Angela:

• The two girls walk back to the stall, Angela's horse in tow.

• Brittany looks at Angela, smiling, "You beat Cheyenne's time!"

• Angela shrugs, "She's got another ride."

• Brittany chuckles, "That wild stallion she stole from you? Ain't no barrel horse, it needs a bullet to its head."

• The camera pans over to Cheyenne, who is saddling her horse, Nickel.

• Angela whispers to Brittany, "There she is."

• Cheyenne looks up, giving them a smile, and goes back to her horse.

• Brittany approaches her, "Congrats, Cheyenne. My baby's at the top of the leaderboard."

• Cheyenne shrugs, "I didn't steal it, Brittany. I bought it from the kill barn."

• Brittany scoffs, "That's a dud."

• Cheyenne just smiles, "One person's garbage is another's gold."

• Brittany shakes her head, "Well, good luck with that. I'll pray for ya."

• Cheyenne asks, "Why?"

• Brittany grins, "Because you're gonna need it when you get on that crazy bastard."

• Angela and Brittany continue on to their stalls, as Jack, a forty-year-old blonde, walks up with a water jug.

• Jack looks at the two women, "What's that all about?"

• Cheyenne answers, "Just more Roberts bragging about their daughter."

• Jack looks impressed, "She's at the top of the leaderboard?"

• Cheyenne finishes saddling her horse, getting on, and with a smile down at Jack, she says, "For now."

• She heads towards the warm-up pen, as the camera cuts to black.

   

   

   

   

   

  INT. HATTIESBURG ARENA - DAY

  B-ROLL:

• Shots of the busy arena. People are getting ready for the competition, riding their horses, and dirt is flying everywhere.
• Close-up shots of mothers shouting for their daughters.

ANGELA'S BARREL RACE

• Shot of Angela, a 16-year-old blonde, on the back of her horse.
• Angela rides out of the alleyway, circles three barrels, and rides back to the alleyway.
• The announcer announces that Angela has taken the top spot on the leaderboard.
• Brittany, who is filming Angela with her phone, is seen screaming applause along with her friends.

BRITTANY AND ANGELA WALKING HER HORSE BACK TO THE STALL

• Brittany and Angela are walking back to the stall.

BRITTANY You beat Cheyenne's time.

ANGELA She got another ride.

BRITTANY (chuckles) On that wild stallion she stole from you. That's not a barrel horse. It needs a bullet to its head.

They see Cheyenne saddling her horse, Nickel.

ANGELA (sushes her mother) There she is.

CHEYENNE When she sees Brittany and Angela, she gives them a smile, but continues saddling her horse.

BRITTANY Cheyenne, my baby is at the top of the leaderboard.

CHEYENNE Congratulations.

BRITTANY You riding that thing you stole from us.

CHEYENNE I didn't steal it, Brittany. I bought it from the kill barn.

BRITTANY That's a dud.

CHEYENNE (smiling) One person's garbage is another's gold.

BRITTANY Well, good luck on that thing. I'll pray for you.

CHEYENNE Why?

BRITTANY Because you're going to need it when you get on that crazy bastard.

Angela and Brittany continue on toward their stalls.

Jack, a 40-year-old blonde woman, shows up with some water.

JACK What is that all about?

CHEYENNE Just more Roberts bragging about their daughter.

JACK She's at the top of the leaderboard.

Cheyenne finishes saddling her horse and gets on, with a smile down at Jack.

CHEYENNE For now.

She heads towards the warm-up pen.

FADE TO WARM UP PEN

 

INT. HATTIESBURG ARENA - WARM-UP PEN - DAY

The warm-up pen is filled with the nervous energy of riders preparing for the competition. Cheyenne, a confident and determined rider, is getting ready to practice her run on her horse, Nickel. Suddenly, a couple of Angela's friends enter the pen, riding their horses and attempting to ride against Cheyenne's. Cheyenne tries to ignore their attempts to distract her and focus on her own ride, but she soon grows frustrated. She stops her horse, dismounts, and approaches the two girls.

CHEYENNE What do you think you're doing, riding against me like that?

GIRL 1 Just trying to make sure we're ready for the competition.

CHEYENNE You're not helping anyone by riding like that. It's dangerous and disruptive.

GIRL 2 We didn't mean any harm.

CHEYENNE I don't care if you meant harm or not. You need to respect the other riders in the warm-up pen and give us all space to practice.

The girls nod, understanding the severity of their actions. Cheyenne mounts her horse again and continues her practice, this time with more focus and determination. The other riders in the warm-up pen begin to follow her lead, riding calmly and respectfully. The atmosphere becomes more relaxed, allowing everyone to better prepare for the upcoming competition.

 

 

INT. WARM-UP PEN - DAY

B-ROLL:

Shot of the warm-up pen. Horses are being ridden in circles, riders are warming up their horses.

CUT TO:

Two of Angela's friends, JESSICA and EMILY, are riding their horses in the warm-up pen. They see Cheyenne riding in circles on her horse, Nickel. They ride their horses towards her, trying to ride against her.

JESSICA (laughing) Look at Cheyenne trying to keep up.

EMILY (laughing) She's so slow.

Cheyenne notices what they're doing and starts to get upset. She pulls up on the reins of her horse and stops.

CHEYENNE What the hell do you think you're doing?

JESSICA Just having some fun.

CHEYENNE (angrily) Well, it's not funny.

Cheyenne dismounts from her horse and walks towards Jessica, who is still on her horse. Cheyenne rips Jessica down from her horse and pushes her against the back of the pen.

CHEYENNE (yelling) Stay the hell away from me and my horse!

Jessica is stunned and starts to cry. Emily dismounts from her horse and goes to comfort her friend.

EMILY (crying) Jessica, are you okay?

JESSICA (crying) I think so.

CHEYENNE (calmly) Go home. I don't want to see you here again.

Cheyenne walks back to her horse and mounts him. She rides out of the warm-up pen,

 

 

The protagonist accuses his neighbor of stealing his tractor, but as the investigation continues, it becomes clear that the evidence is circumstantial. Just when he's about to give up hope, he receives a tip from his estranged son, who has been working as a mechanic.

However, as the protagonist and his son work together to track down the real thief, it becomes apparent that the son himself was the one who stole the tractor. He reveals that he needed the money to pay off a large debt he owed to a casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. He had been gambling for some time and had fallen into debt, and he saw the opportunity to steal the tractor and sell it for quick cash.

The protagonist is shocked and hurt by the revelation, but as they continue their investigation, they also uncover evidence of a larger criminal operation involving the casino and other gamblers in debt. The protagonist and his son team up to bring down the operation and retrieve the stolen tractor, using their knowledge of the engine defect as leverage. In the end, they are able to reconcile their relationship and find closure as they bring the criminals to justice.

 

 

Cheyenne is dealing with a lot of personal issues - a betrayed boyfriend, the ghost of her deceased friend, a stolen tractor, and the unauthorized use of her horse as a stud. As she tries to solve the case of the stolen tractor, she uncovers a web of deceit and betrayal that touches all aspects of her life.

Her boyfriend, who she thought she could trust, was actually in league with the person who stole the tractor. He had been hired to keep an eye on Cheyenne and make sure she didn't get too close to solving the case. Meanwhile, the ghost of her friend is leading her down a path towards the truth, guiding her every step of the way.

As Cheyenne delves deeper into the case, she also realizes that her horse being used as a stud without her permission was part of a larger operation. Brittany and her daughter Angela were also involved in the illegal breeding scheme, using Cheyenne's horse to improve the quality of their own mares.

In the end, Cheyenne is able to solve the case of the stolen tractor, bring the criminals to justice, and lay her friend's ghost to rest. She also reconciles with her horse and comes to a resolution with Brittany and Angela. Through her journey, Cheyenne learns the true meaning of friendship, trust, and forgiveness.

 

 

Character Descriptions:  

CHEYENNE SULLIVAN - PROTAGONIST

Cheyenne Sullivan is a multifaceted individual who embodies the spirit of the Wild West. As a cowgirl, she is no stranger to hard work and danger, and her skills with horses and firearms are unmatched. But she also has a softer side, one that is fiercely protective of the vulnerable and will stop at nothing to defend them.

As an investigator for agricultural crimes, Cheyenne uses her cunning and determination to bring those who harm others to justice. She is not afraid to get her hands dirty, and is willing to take risks and break the law if it means protecting those she cares about. This combination of toughness and compassion makes her a formidable force to be reckoned with, and she is not to be trifled with.

Despite her rough exterior, Cheyenne has a strong moral compass and a deep sense of justice. She is unapologetic in her pursuit of the truth and will not let anyone stand in her way. Her unwavering commitment to doing what is right, no matter the cost, has earned her the respect of those around her and has made her a legend in her own time.

Cheyenne's sense of justice is rooted in the old-fashioned belief that those who do wrong should be punished in kind. She subscribes to the notion of an eye for an eye and will not hesitate to use her own brand of rough justice to bring those who harm others to account.

However, this doesn't mean that Cheyenne is without compassion or mercy. She recognizes the importance of balancing justice with compassion and will go out of her way to help those in need, especially if they have been wronged by others. This nuanced approach to justice makes her a complex and intriguing character, one who is not afraid to challenge the status quo and stand up for what she believes in.

 

 

 

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Article #9: "Breaking Barriers: How Barrel Racers Can Avoid 'Clicks' and Support Their Peers While Staying Competitive"

 

 

 January 30, 2023

Barrel racing is a thrilling rodeo event that requires speed, precision, and horsemanship. However, the competitive nature of the sport can sometimes lead to negative dynamics and "clicks" among riders. But, what if we told you that it's possible to maintain a competitive spirit while also supporting and uplifting your fellow riders? Here's how:

1. Focus on Personal Growth: Instead of constantly comparing yourself to others, shift your focus to your own progress and development. Set achievable goals, put in the time and effort to hone your skills, and seek feedback from trusted coaches. By doing so, you'll not only improve yourself but also gain a greater sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.

2. Support Your Peers: Think of your fellow riders not as competitors but as a supportive community. Cheer each other on during runs, offer encouragement, and acknowledge each other's hard work and achievements. This positive and supportive attitude can create a more enjoyable and friendly environment for everyone involved.

   3. Avoid Negativity: In any competitive setting, it can be easy to fall into the trap of gossiping, criticizing, and speaking ill of others. However, this negativity detracts from the sport and creates a negative atmosphere. Instead, choose to focus on positive thoughts and actions, and avoid participating in negative conversations.

   4. Show Sportsmanship: Barrel racing is a competition, but it's important to show respect for all riders, regardless of their skill level. Congratulations to the winner, offering a handshake, and displaying good sportsmanship can go a long way in maintaining a positive and supportive community.

      5. Learn from Those Who Succeed: Surround yourself with riders who are doing well and seek out their advice and guidance. Ask questions, observe their techniques, and learn from their experiences. By doing so, you'll gain valuable insights that can help you improve and avoid common pitfalls. Remember, everyone fails at some point, but it's how you handle it that determines your success. So, if you're struggling, don't be afraid to seek help and learn from those who are succeeding. By embracing this growth mindset, you'll continue to improve and overcome challenges, ultimately leading you to success in the sport.

      
      

   By focusing on personal growth, supporting your peers, avoiding negativity, and showing sportsmanship, barrel racers can create a positive and competitive environment. This not only benefits the riders but also the sport as a whole, as it celebrates achievements and creates a welcoming and supportive community.

   So, next time you're at a barrel racing event, remember to break down the barriers and embrace the power of positivity and support. Your fellow riders and the sport will thank you for it.

    

Artice #7 "Turning the Barrels of Life"

 January 28, 2023

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 Barrel racing is a sport that requires skill, agility, and determination. It is a metaphor for life in many ways, as the rider must navigate the course, just as we must navigate the ups and downs of life.

The rider starts in the alleyway, representing the beginning of life, and then rides out into the arena, where they must navigate the three barrels, which can be seen as the three phases of life - youth, adulthood, and old age. Each phase presents its own challenges and opportunities.

Just like in barrel racing, we may have days where we win and excel, and other days where we lose and struggle. Sometimes we may earn money and have everything we need, while other times we may struggle with no money and have to make sacrifices, such as eating jam sandwiches instead of a more substantial meal.

The rider must also push through the hard times, just as we must push through the difficult moments in life. They must stay focused and determined, even when things don't go as planned. They must also be adaptable and quick on their feet, just as we must be adaptable and resilient in life.

In barrel racing, as in life, practice pays off. The rider who puts in the time and effort to hone their skills and improve their technique will see the results when they ride. On the other hand, a rider who is lazy and doesn't put in the work, will struggle and their performance will suffer. The same is true in life, those who put in the effort and work hard will be more likely to achieve their goals, while those who are lazy and don't put in the effort will struggle to reach their full potential.

Just like in barrel racing, life can also be a rollercoaster of emotions. Sometimes we are on a high, feeling confident and accomplished, while other times we may be on a low, feeling down and defeated. The key is to learn how to ride those highs and lows and not let them control us. Just as the rider must stay focused and in control, even when the horse is running wild, we must also stay focused and in control, even when life gets tough.

In barrel racing, as in life, it's important to remember that we will have our good days and bad days. But with hard work, determination, and a positive attitude, we can overcome the challenges and come out on top.

In barrel racing, as in life, it's not always about winning, but about the journey and the lessons we learn along the way. The rider may not always come in first place, but they can still be proud of their effort and growth. Similarly, in life, we may not always achieve our goals, but we can still be proud of the progress we have made and the person we have become.

In conclusion, barrel racing is a powerful metaphor for life. It teaches us valuable lessons about perseverance, determination, and adaptability, and reminds us that it's not always about winning, but about the journey and the person we become along the way.