The 2016 rodeo season is off to a whirlwind start for Nicole Yost of Rice’s Landing, Pennsylvania, and her main mount, Red Hot Peso. Racking up wins at the Dixie National, which took place January 22–24 in Jackson, Mississippi, and the Georgia National, which took place February 18–20 in Perry, Georgia, Nicole is sitting in the Top 50 standings for the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association standings as of March 14.
Nicole was thrilled with her finish at the Georgia National, given the barrel racer’s tumultuous history at the event.
“I went in there for vengeance because the last few years I’ve hit barrels. My goal was just to finally get around all three and just make the best run that I could,” Nicole said. “He pulled it off. I just was trying to get him around each barrel because he’s been wanting to work too much where he snaps back over on top of it, so I’ve been really riding him in my turns and letting him work.”
Nicole credits “Peso” for her success so far this year.
“I’ve hauled him around getting him seasoned, and finally this year he’s coming into his own,” she said. “I pretty much know when he’s left all the barrels up and he feels like he’s had a good run, he should be in the money somewhere.”
Nicole has owned the 2003 solid sorrel stallion by Red Hot Pursuit (QH) and out of Indian Passion since he was 5 years old, and she’s come to appreciate his big personality.
“He’s very confident. When you turn him out with other horses, he acts like, ‘Hey, I’m the big shot here.’ But he knows he’s my baby,” Nicole said with a laugh.
Nicole also credits her husband, Justin, for offering his support and pushing her to excel. A Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association team roper by trade, Justin’s career earnings total more than $240,000.
“He’s my biggest fan. He pushes me and makes me strive to be better each time I go in that arena,” Nicole said. “We both push each other along. I keep teasing him because he used to be in the Top 50 almost every year. I said, ‘Finally I’m beating you in something!’ ”
While her early success has been great, Nicole has no definite plans for the rest of the year.
“We might be hitting some of the bigger rodeos this summer,” Nicole said. “As of right now, I’m just going with the flow.”
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