Page 126 - Barrel Stallion Register 2019

Who’s Who In The Barrels
There are “names” in every industry and barrel racing is no exception. The following profiles don’t begin to scratch the surface. But, they do serve to introduce the two segments of racing to one another.
KIM LANDRY
In some ways, Kim Landry of Stark, Florida, is a relative newcomer to the world of barrel racing futurities. She began barrel racing while still in high school, taking the step into futurities in 1986. Her first significant victory came in 1986 and she finished the year with $80,000
in earnings. From that point forward, she
took nothing but huge strides. She was ranked number one on the top 100 futurity riders in 1995 and 1996, with multiple triumphs at Ft. Smith and Oklahoma City, which are the two largest futurities/derbies in the country. She’s set a number of standards, including holding the distinction of being the first person to enter and
win money at Ft. Smith on a Paint (by World Champion Indians Image).
Kim didn’t grow up in a horse oriented background. “My dad kept some horses for a doctor when I was a kid,” she explained, “but that was about it. It didn’t matter. Everything was always horses with me. I loved them more than anything else, all I wanted to do was be around them. My grandpa’s son barrel raced, and that was where I got my first barrel horse. My grandpa gave me one of his.”
Kim grew up, married and had two children. She quit her job in 1993 and turned her attention exclusively to barrel racing. Her son Dusty was eight and daughter Amanda was 14. How did her family feel about her dramatic change?
“Everybody was supportive,” she said. “My parents were always there to take care of the kids when I had to be away. My husband works for the military, and he was always there to help take care of things when I was on the road.”
Like most barrel racers, Kim takes outside horses for training as well as competition in addition to riding her own. “I have about ten horses right now,” she said, “but I have taken as many as 18 head to Ft. Smith.
“Futurities are my first priority with rodeos coming second on the list. As far as my horses are concerned, I have a reputation for using On The Money Red bloodlines. I don’t really know how it happens, but it seems I do always wind up with On The Money Red. Sometimes, I think it’s because both of us are so hardheaded!
“I like to get horses off the track, but I want them no faster than a AA. Sometimes, if they’re too fast, you have to do a lot of re-training. One of the horses I’m riding now came from the track. I also buy a lot of two year olds that are broke, but haven’t started racing.
“I can definitely see the barrel industry as a big marketplace for the racing industry. We’re looking for well-bred horses with speed, and racing has a lot of that to offer.”
By the way, Kim turned in another huge victory at Ft. Smith this year.
MARY BURGER
Mary is a respected name in the barrel industry. She won Ft. Smith in 1995 on Jerry and Betty Wells’ Miss Mergie (by World Champion Merganser). She trained World Champion Showum The Gold and has been ranked among the leading futurity riders numerous times during the past decade.
Mary began riding when she was 4 1/2-years old. It wasn’t, however, necessarily by choice. She developed a degenerative bone disease when she was a child and couldn’t walk. “It
was actually a softening of my hip sockets,” she explained, “and, eventually, they dissolved. I was ten years old before I was allowed to walk.
“Sometimes, the sockets in both hips would be affected and all I could do was scoot along the floor. My dad bought me a pony and he became my lifeline.”
Mary and her father, Adrian Lichtle, became extremely close during her early years. The relationship continued until his death three years ago. He was there when she won seven consecutive Grand Champion titles in 4-H during grade school and junior high.
“I never took a break once I began barrel racing,” Mary continued. “I was born and raised in Indiana, which is where my husband Carey
“I can definitely see the barrel industry as a big marketplace for the racing industry. We’re looking for well-bred horses with speed, and racing has a lot of that to offer.”
Kim Landry turning barrel #2 aboard her 1997 futurity horse On The Money Luv, on her way to her second consecutive Old Fort Days Futurity Championship.
124 SPEEDHORSE
LOOKING BACK - AN EXCERPT FROM JUNE 13, 1997 ISSUE