Heather Crowley CFR 2026
2026 CFR Interviews Presented by Alliance Equine
Quick Info
Horse:
Aint She Perfect, aka Lucy, Chestnut, sired by Aint Seen Nothin Yet and out of Lenas Slinky Quixote by Smart N Slinky
Rodeos entered: 37
Rodeo won or placed high at: Won Morris, MB and placed at 18 other rodeos
Total earnings: $40,960.97
CFR qualification #: 1
Saddle, Pad, Bit: Robbie Phillips Saddle, Best Ever Saddle Pad, Boutin bits 6" shank with a Billy Allen mouthpiece or Kerry Kelly ticket 3 piece smooth with a cricket
Tell us your story; how you got into horses, and barrel racing.
My family has always owned horses but I grew up mostly on my dad's team roping horses and a pony we called 'Honey Bear'. I started going to youth rodeos at around age 8, qualified to High School Nationals in all 5 of my events (Breakaway, Barrels, Poles, Team Roping, and Goat Tying), went to college with a rodeo scholarship and qualified to the CNFR in the breakaway and the goat tying. I graduated with an accounting degree which I still use as I have a part time job as an accountant. When I got out of college, I got my pro card and have mostly circuit rodeoed in the Montana circuit with 8 circuit finals qualifications as well as dabbling in the futurities and derbies.
What is your main mount's back story and what makes them so special?
I purchased Lucy from Starr Nelson in Wisconsin as a four year old. I bought her sight unseen, but knew she had the look and Starr was so good to answer every question and send every video and picture I asked for. She had a good start on her and after spending a year on the ranch and putting my own spin to her training, she had a successful futurity year as a 5 year old. She has always loved Canada winning one of her first big checks at the Royal Crown Canada Futurity in Claresholm, AB. She also won the Glacier Chaser Futurity and took to rodeos like a fish to water. Placing in the top 3 at nearly every rodeo I ran her at her futurity year. She has the best attitude and my kids ride her. My daughter used to ride her in the peewees and then I would run her in the futurity. That year, I was unable to ride my main rodeo horse at the circuit finals so Lucy got the call and placed in two rounds and second in the average. The following year, Lucy won the 5 state maturity and had success at the derbies. Last year, she was reserve in the Montana Circuit and this year she has far surpassed everything I have asked of her qualifying us to our first CFR as well as another trip to the Montana circuit finals.
What was your most memorable run this season, and why?
There were so many runs this season that make me so grateful for my horse but perhaps the most memorable weekend was Regina and Morris. Switching from a small indoor to a large outdoor is asking a lot of any horse and Lucy rose to the challenge in true Lucy fashion, placing 3rd at Regina and winning Morris. Another memorable run was Williams Lake. That's a very very long way from my house and I was not sure it was worth the miles, but my dad helped me make the trek along with my two kids and Lucy knew we had to make it count and rimmed every barrel and won 3rd, making the drive worth it.
Looking back at your season as a whole, what are you most proud of?
I'm proud to do this as a family. My husband ropes calves and nearly made the CFR himself but duties at home on the farm and ranch kept him from getting to as many rodeos as I was able to go to. I'm proud to be married to someone that believes in me and was willing to make that sacrifice for me to be able to chase this dream. I'm proud my kids have got to meet so many amazing people and have seen so many different things. National parks and museums and scenery that some people will never get to see in a lifetime at the ages of 7 and 5. And I'm proud of my horse for staying solid all year and putting out a huge effort beginning to end.
What keeps you motivated after a tough run, or when something doesn’t go as planned?
I'm going to sound like a broken record at this point, but my family is what keeps me motivated. I want to be positive no matter what happens in order to set that example for my kids and because they don't deserve to see negativity over a situation where we are so blessed to get to do what we enjoy even if things do not go as planned. I hit a barrel at the Calgary qualifier this year to get to go to Calgary and my daughter offered me her horse next time because she would definitely leave the barrels up and she really wants to get to go to Calgary haha. I love that she wants to make a new plan for the next chance we get and that she wants to contribute even if she doesn't really understand yet.
What's the hardest part about chasing the CFR dream that most people don't see?
The most challenging part for me were the few rodeos I had to go to without my family as my kids started school and we were harvesting at home. It was so hard to feel like I was neglecting things at home to be out chasing a dream. I would say the other thing that adds more stress than I care to admit is trying to make the best decisions for my horse. She's a gift and stewarding that well is a lot of pressure. Deciding how many and which runs are good for her and the best way to take care of her is challenging.
What's one quality your horse has that you wish you could bottle and put into every horse?
Her try and her mind. I think that's a rare combination. Usually the ones that try hard are hard to keep mentally good and usually the ones that are quiet and good minded are not the ones that try the hardest because they're too smart for that but somehow Lucy is both together and I wish they made more of them like that.
What's one part of your horse's care program you refuse to compromise on?
Good nutrition and a good horse shoer are non negotiable. Sometimes hard to find at the level I'd like but so important! I also like to do accuscope when I have a chance and XLR8 red light has played a role in keeping Lucy feeling good all summer.
What goes through your mind in the alley before a run?
I usually pick one or two things that I am going to focus on doing better than the last run and then I just think of making the best run I can make for the situation at hand. I try to keep it as simple as possible. Your horse can feel so much from you, so I try to let her know how much confidence I have in her as well.
How did you handle the pressure throughout the season, and keep a strong mental game?
The biggest thing for me is to focus on all the things I'm so blessed to have and get to do. When your perspective can remain grateful, it's hard for the difficult things to feel like a big deal. I am so grateful for every run, for every horse I've been able to ride, for my family getting to go with me and that they are all happy and healthy and grateful for every adventure this crazy rodeo trail takes me on. Sometimes those adventures are difficult, but even in that, hopefully I can be a good example to my kids of how to be resilient and we have a motto in our family that "we do hard things".
Who has had the biggest impact on your journey to the CFR, and how have they shaped you as a competitor?
There are so many people that have impacted my journey. I have been to so many places this year that I've never been before and so many people have stepped up to lend a hand and answer every question, but my husband has been my biggest encouragement through it all. There's a lot that he's had to do alone that we usually do together for me to go, but he's also been along for most of it and has a wealth of knowledge and just a steady presence when I get a little overwhelmed. I know he believes in me and that gives a person a lot of confidence. You can believe in yourself, but it helps to have people that believe in you!
When you think about everything it took to qualify for your first CFR, what does earning a spot mean to you?
It means so much when I look over the last year and everywhere it has taken us. It took sacrifice, it took faith, it took an amazing support system, and a war horse that gave her all beginning to end. It means a new adventure and a goal accomplished. It gives me so much confidence in my horse to know that she will rise to the occasion and it makes me grateful for everyone that helped me get here, because I know this is no solo act. When I look over the year and all the little things that different people stepped in and did, from advice, to sacrifice, to encouraging words, I would not be here without each and every one.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given in rodeo, and what advice would you give someone who wants to make the CFR?
The best advice I've received is hard to pinpoint. I think I have learned way more watching than actual words spoken to me. Maybe that's advice in itself, to be observant. I think with rodeo, being resilient is so important. Any one of the people at the top have been through so much to get there. It's easy to see the wins, but there are so many more struggles than wins. My best advice is to do everything you can to prepare and then believe in that preparation and focus on the good things, the positives, and your reason for being there. Take the struggles and learn from them, but don't give them more time in your thoughts. Know when you set out to do anything worth accomplishing that it's going to be challenging and be ready to "Do Hard Things".
Thank you first to my husband and kids for setting out on this journey with me and encouraging me. I'm thankful for my parents for always supporting me and doing everything they can to help me accomplish my goals and for my inlaws for all the days they watched my kids, filled in the gaps when I wasn't there to help, and for supporting me. Thank you to Rodeo Rigs for keeping me on the road, and XLR8 has been a big part of keeping my horses feeling good as well. Too many additional names that have got me here to list, but thank you to each and every one of you that have been and continue to be a part of the team.
