Cheyenne Wimberley bought her WPRA card at 11, qualified for her first National Finals Rodeo in 1997 on April Hemp, built a second career off the road, and came back nearly two decades later to qualify for the NFR again in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Few people have lived through as many eras of professional barrel racing. Kayla Jones brought her on to talk about the horses, the road, and how the sport has changed across four decades.
The short version: a racehorse family in New Mexico, a nudge from Charmayne James’s mother that got her a WPRA card as a kid, a legendary horse in April Hemp, years off the road in a separate career, and a trailer of horses good enough to pull her back. The longer version, including breeding April Hemp to a then-rookie stallion named Corona Cartel and what she thinks really separates the eras of great horses, is in the episode.
If you want the long view of barrel racing from someone who has ridden through it, this is the one to put in your ears. Patreon members get nearly 20 extra minutes with Cheyenne.
About the guest
Cheyenne Wimberley is a WPRA barrel racer, horse trainer, and businesswoman who has competed across four decades of professional barrel racing. Raised in a New Mexico racehorse family, she bought her WPRA card at 11, made her first NFR in 1997 aboard April Hemp, built a career off the road between qualifications, and returned to the NFR in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Along the way she developed futurity horses, ran a training program, and started her own saddle line.
A few things you’ll hear
• How she bought her WPRA card at 11, and the nudge from Charmayne James’s mother that started it
• What made April Hemp special
• Why she stepped off the road for years, built a separate career, and never let go of the horses
• Breeding April Hemp to a then-rookie stallion named Corona Cartel, and the mare that became a winner in Brazil
• The four horses that pulled her back to the NFR nearly two decades after her first qualification
• What she thinks really separates the great horses of every era, from Scamper to today
Sponsor — SmartEquine / ColiCare
This week’s episode is brought to you by SmartEquine and ColiCare, a proactive approach to hindgut health and colic prevention. Colic is one of the leading causes of emergency vet visits, and ColiCare pairs targeted digestive support with a program built to help owners stay ahead of problems rather than react to them. Eligible horses enrolled in the program may qualify for up to $15,000 in colic surgery reimbursement. Learn more at smartequine.com.