When the dust settled at the Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo inside the North Dakota State Fairgrounds, it was a 5-year-old futurity mare who shined brightest. Dashin On Fire, known as “Mesa,” carried former NFR qualifier Molly Otto to her first-ever Badlands Circuit Finals average title, securing the championship in a three-run battle that paid out nearly $6,500.
The win marked a major milestone not just for Otto, but for owner Katie Lindahl, whose pipeline to Otto has produced standout horses like Teasin Dat Guy (“Chewy”) — the mare Otto rode to her first NFR qualification and who now helps Emily Beisel continue her own string of Finals runs.
Mesa’s Minot performance capped off an impressive 5-year-old season that pushed her past $103,000 in QData earnings, a fitting achievement for a mare whose rise has been rooted in patience and partnership.
Finding Confidence Under Pressure
“Mesa was really tight at the first barrel that first night,” Otto said with a laugh. “I actually rode her two-handed — I never do that — but it just felt right. She was honest the rest of the way, even though she’d been scared of the big screen behind the third barrel all week.”
Her approach worked. Otto stayed consistent through all three rounds, saving her best run for the last night. “I didn’t know if it was the best setup for her,” she admitted. “She likes the big pens, wide-open places. But she handled herself like a veteran.”
That final run sealed the average title — a first in Otto’s career despite multiple qualifications. “I didn’t even know I had the average locked in,” she said. “I was just proud of how she handled herself.”
A Mare With a Story
Mesa’s journey began when Lindahl bought her sight unseen as a 2-year-old at the Heritage Place Sale. “She was my favorite two-year-old I’ve ever ridden,” Lindahl said. “Smooth, easy, long-legged, and just did everything you asked. But as a three-year-old, she regressed — she was emotional, buddy-sour, and not brave yet.”
Both women credit time and trust for her transformation. “I thought she might be ready at four,” Lindahl said. “Molly said, ‘She’s a winner, but not yet.’ So we held her back for a full five-year-old futurity year. She deserved to wait and have a great year.”
That patience paid off. “She’s always had the heart to please,” Otto said. “Even when she was scared, she tried to do everything right. Once her confidence came, she just kept getting better every run.”
The Partnership That Works
What’s made this duo of horsewoman and owner thrive? Mutual trust.
“I think what makes it work is simple — Katie trusts me,” Otto said. “She lets me do what I think is right for the horses. Whether that’s taking them to the vet, skipping a run, or just backing off when they need it.”
Lindahl echoed the same sentiment from hundreds of miles away. “If you don’t trust your trainer, you have the wrong trainer,” she said. “I don’t need a million videos. Molly lets me know what she needs, and I trust her to make those calls.”
That faith has yielded remarkable consistency — from Chewy to Mesa, and beyond. “We balance each other,” Lindahl added. “She’s spontaneous, and I’m a planner. I worked in a hospital with 75 operating rooms — I’m wired to organize things. Rodeo isn’t something you can plan perfectly, but together, we meet in the middle.”
A Surprise Victory — and What’s Next
Lindahl wasn’t in Minot to watch the win unfold live. “I was watching from home, and when Molly texted me a photo of the results, I just started crying,” she said. “I thought she knocked. Then I realized it was happy tears. I couldn’t believe it.”
What made it even sweeter was that Mesa — the once timid, wide-eyed filly — did it in the smallest pen of her career.
“I was definitely not expecting it to be my 5-year-old futurity horse that did it,” Lindahl said. “It’s just so rewarding for Molly. Mesa proved she deserved it.”
Looking ahead, both women plan to build on the mare’s success. “We’ve talked about taking her to some of the big Northwest rodeos next summer if it works into the schedule,” Lindahl said. “She’s earned her shot at that level.”
For Otto, it’s simple: “Mesa just makes you happy to swing a leg over. She’s fun, she’s gritty, and she tries every time. That’s all you can ask for.”
Badlands Circuit Finals results
Minot, ND, Oct. 10-12, 2025 from ProRodeo.com
First round: 1. Emilee Pauley, 13.71 seconds, $2,595; 2. Molly Otto, 13.74, $1,946; 3. Taylor Hanson, 13.78, $1,298; 4. Summer Kosel, 13.79, $649. Second round: 1. Lisa Lockhart, 13.42 seconds, $2,595; 2. Katie Rossow, 13.52, $1,946; 3. Emilee Pauley, 13.57, $1,298; 4. Summer Kosel, 13.61, $649. Third round: 1. Molly Otto, 13.45 seconds, $2,595; 2. Lisa Lockhart, 13.46, $1,946; 3. Piper Cordes, 13.49, $1,298; 4. Raelin Jurgens, 13.55, $649. Average: 1. Molly Otto, 41.02 seconds on three head, $3,893; 2. Emilee Pauley, 41.03, $2,920; 3. Raelin Jurgens, 41.25, $1,946; 4. Jessica Routier, 42.40, $973.