Brian and Blaise (Bercegeay) Wheeler have been winning barrel races since their youth, and now they’re a combined force to reckon with in the futurity and derby world. This week on The Money Barrel, Kayla Jones catches up with the couple to talk about their unique partnership, standout horses, and their recent successes in the arena.
Brian grew up riding elite horses alongside his mom, trainer Stephanie Wheeler, and quickly developed an eye for talent. Blaise Bercegeay, meanwhile, started from scratch with the steadfast support of her grandfather, quickly becoming a fierce competitor herself. Their paths crossed at the 2007 NBHA Youth World Championships, sparking a friendship turned partnership, turned life together.
Brian and Blaise share candidly about how they complement each other—Brian loves starting and training the young horses, while Blaise shines when the pressure’s on in derby competitions.
Their teamwork recently hit a high point when Blaise took home the prestigious Fort Smith Derby title aboard SBW Feeling The Pressure—a horse Brian raised and trained himself.
They dive into some of their favorite horses, like SBW Copycat, a talented mare Blaise famously insisted on keeping despite Brian’s initial intentions to sell her. That decision paid off, with Copycat now boasting earnings over $200,000. Brian and Blaise also open up about their breeding philosophy, emphasizing strong mares as the key to their continued success, paired thoughtfully with promising young stallions.
Listeners will enjoy their practical advice, humorous stories, and genuine reflections on balancing life, marriage, and barrel racing dreams.
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This episode is presented by Martin Saddlery
About Martin Saddlery
This episode is brought to you by Martin Saddlery, known for comfort, performance, and innovation. Martin Saddlery designs saddles to enhance horse and rider connection, helping barrel racers gain a competitive edge. Explore their custom options and discover the Martin difference at martinsaddlery.com.