Kentucky’s Marne Loosenort rode Kingor to a $6,287 victory at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo, marking her return to the bright lights after beginning a grueling fight with cervical cancer.
“I’m really excited to be back,” Loosenort said. “I got diagnosed with stage three cervical cancer the first of April and went down to MD Anderson. I do Keytruda, which is immunotherapy, every three weeks. It’s been a whirlwind. What fixes you kind of makes you sick at the same time with the radiation and chemo, but thank God I’m back and able to ride.”
The 2023 Oklahoma City Futurity Champion Kingor—by First Moonflash and out of Final Form by Rare Form—delivered in his first big-rodeo appearance, adding another win to the owner/rider partnership between Loosenort and the Kingins that’s been going strong since 1996.
“I’ve had (Kingor) since he was a 3-year-old,” Loosenort said. “Danny and I own him, and I wanted to rodeo on him some, so I thought I’d better do it at some point in time. He’s pretty consistent, pretty honest. He’s easy to ride—he’s making my job really easy.”
Before her diagnosis, Loosenort often rode 30 to 35 horses a day. These days, that number is closer to 15—and she’s fine with that.
“I may stick with it,” Loosenort said. “I’m enjoying the process…It’s kind of nice finishing at the end of the day and not feeling too worn out. I’ve cut back a lot, but I’m so grateful for the great horses and owners we have.”
The Sikeston win capped a week where Loosenort also lit up the scoreboard at the Megan McCain Memorial barrel race in Starkville, Mississippi.
“I’ve got four really nice horses, and that PT Lovetabea Blazin—I won on him Friday night… then on Kingor, Saturday I was second in the slot race and second in the open. On my 4-year-old, I was second in the 2D. They’re making it a lot of fun.”
Loosenort is quick to credit the people who made her comeback possible.
“Of course Bob has been over-the-top great, and my family and friends—so many people cheering you on and keeping you motivated. I couldn’t even be doing what I’m doing now without especially Bob and my mom and dad. It takes an army, but they’ve taken good care of me. They’re strict on me. They limit how many horses I take and ride, and I’ve got a lot of rules—but I need to listen.”
With the win at Sikeston, Loosenort defied the odds—but that was never the point.
“The little things don’t matter anymore. I’m doing it more out of just the enjoyment of running barrels and being able to do it again. If you do good, that’s great. If you don’t—who cares? At least you get to do it. Don’t ever take it for granted.”
Marne Loosenort
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Loosenort also credited her program supporters for sticking with her throughout the recovery process.
“Prime Performance Nutrition, Dr. Greg Ford, and Equinety—those are my three main sponsors. You can’t do it without a good vet, and those companies have stood by me.”