Lisa Lockhart is a huge name in the world of professional rodeo, particularly in the thrilling realm of barrel racing. She began her journey on the rodeo circuit at a young age, spurred by her passion for horses and competition. Her horses are pivotal to her success. Their many wins are a testament to Lisa’s exceptional horsemanship and rapport with her equine partners.
D.O.B.: November 11, 1965
Hometown: Born in Wolf Point, Montana; currently resides in Oelrichs, South Dakota
Sport event: Barrel racing
Titles and Awards: Lisa has secured the NFR Average Champion title twice, in 2014 and 2016. She has enjoyed many victories at renowned rodeos such as the Calgary Stampede and the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo.
Stampede attendance: 1995; 1998; 2005 to 2009 (two events); 2011 and 2012; 2014; 2015 – Barrel Racing Champion; 2016 – Won the Guy Weadick Award; 2019 – Barrel Racing Champion; 2023
Notable facts: Among her trusted companions is the venerable “An Oakie With Cash,” affectionately known as Louie, a testament to her exceptional rapport with her equine partners.
In Lisa’s words:
Sensory feelings really do come into play, especially for inexperienced horses. I try to figure out what works for them. So, I think about where I stand before competition, not being too close to the grandstands because it's louder by the grandstands. I take into consideration the horse's perspective. Just trying to keep things calm. Whether it be in our warm-up area or as you get closer to the arena, the horse’s instincts really come into play. The smell of food, not just the loud noise, but the smell of food. The horse notices it. So, I’m trying to remove this stimulation for the horse right before we go. That's why most barrel racers hang back.
During competition, I feel like I'm immune to some of the stimulation. Not that a loud announcer does not stimulate me, because it does. So, if it stimulates me, I know it's going to stimulate my horse and that could be distracting for him. Once, we noticed there was a cameraman down by the third barrel. Horses will sense something like that even in the run. So, we asked that the cameraman not be in that position because the horses will sense it, they’ll see it. Anything can break their focus. Their whole senses are on high. And you sense it: whether their head comes up, whether their eyes get big, whether their nostrils flare, whether they stop and look around. You always have to be so attentive to your horse's needs, try to reassure them that they are okay through all of these things that they are experiencing. Because it’s not natural for our horses. I think it's very hard.
I always think about, like, the bucking horses in the chutes. They don't have somebody calming them and there's just a lot going on. So, I commend those horses for their job, how they keep going and not have a meltdown because their senses are overstimulated. They're great bucking horses and they're going to go out there and do their job because they love it. With all horses, if they love their job, they're going to work through it, and we're going to help them work through it.