Jayden Wilson CFR 2025
Jayden Wilson is your 2025 Ladies Barrel Racing Season Leader, with her great horse, Fame is Dynamite (Frenchs Hula Guy x Wranglers Dynamite), aka Whiskey. The duo entered 49 rodeos, placing at an astonishing 31, winning four and banked $51,952.59 in regular season earnings. Whiskey is the 2025 Barrel Horse of the Year.
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What is your main mounts back story?
Whiskey was raised by my family. My sister ran his mom Dixie when she was a junior. I started riding him when he was three, and futuritied him when he was five. He was my first futurity horse. All along I had hopes that he would turn out to be a nice horse, he's been so easy and consistent right from the start. I don't think I really knew until he was five. He had been running really nice all winter, and just steadily got faster. I ended up running him at a few pro rodeos that spring where he was just out of the money, and ended up placing at Strathmore that summer. I think that was when I thought I might have something! I think what makes him so special is his heart and his consistency. He can be quirky but when it's time to work he always shows up and makes the same run every time.
What does it mean to you to have Whiskey voted on as Horse With The Most Heart by your peers?
It means so much to me for other people to think highly enough of Whiskey to vote for him! To have his name on the record with so many amazing horses who I've admired is just incredible. He's so special to me, but to have other competitors vote for him as well is such a cool feeling.
What was your most memorable run this season, and what made it memorable?
It's hard to pick one! I'd say maybe Bruce was one of the most memorable. I've always had nice runs there but never won any money, so didn't have any crazy expectations. The ground was great, and Whiskey just loved it. It felt so smooth and easy, just a lot of fun. We ran the fastest we've run on an outdoor standard to win it! Otherwise Strathmore was pretty memorable. It's my hometown rodeo, so I had a lot of friends and family there (and a huge crowd). Then to do well made it that much more special.
What was different about your rodeo season this year compared to last year?
One of the biggest things that was different this year is that I placed at a lot of rodeos that I never have placed at before. I have some of my favourites that I always seem to do well at, and some that I've never had any luck. This year I actually did well at a lot of the ones that I've never placed at.
What challenges did you face this year, and how did you overcome them? How do you keep confidence when things aren't going as planned, or you are in a slump?
I think every year comes with its own new challenges. I honestly can't really complain this year, most the challenges I'd say we faced this year were ground/weather related or getting set up to make everything. As far as those go, I really just try to ride according to the ground conditions, and trust my horse to handle everything. Sometimes that means turning out when I was the only muddy day, or running anyways and try to make the best of it.
I think the biggest thing when things aren't going as planned is trusting your training and trusting your horse. Try not to focus too much on the runs that don't go as planned. Don't make any drastic changes just because you had one bad run. But also recognize when something isn't working, that's when I'll call my vet first, then go to someone for help. I've really enjoyed listening to podcasts this year for mental game. The Let's Freakin Rodeo podcast is one of my favourites, it's so interesting hearing from all the top athletes, because their mental game is so incredible and how they approach a challenge.
Tell readers something good that happened to you this season, other than winning or placing at a rodeo?
Coming back from High Prairie we had a bearing go on my trailer and got stranded at Mayerthorpe. We pulled into 43 Equine because I know Skyler, and was just hoping to have a safe place to leave the horses while we were stuck. Turns out they have a mechanic working out of their shop who works on horse trailers. He squeezed us in the next day, redid all 4 bearings and fixed my trailer brakes. So a very good outcome for what could have been a bad situation quite a ways from home!
What would be your rough estimate of vet work annually to get to the Canadian Finals Rodeo? Do you know a rough estimate of what it cost (without factoring in truck/trailer cost) to make a run at the CFR?
I honestly don't know, and I don't think I want to add it up (LOL)! It depends on the year. I have amazing vets who I trust. They see my horses just about once a month or so during rodeo season, and I do whatever they recommend.
What was the best restaurant you stopped at all year? Any hidden gems to mention?
I don't eat out a lot on the road unless it's fast food when we're driving. I always like Tino's drive in in Medicine Hat. We've found some good places at Armstrong every year, I always look forward to going out there.
What is your least favourite part of being on the rodeo road, and what is your favourite?
Probably the driving. I don't love the long drives and being gone for long. But at the same time one of my favourite things is the places we get to see that comes with all that driving. I love getting to meet new people!
What therapies are a must have for your horse?
I really like my magnetic blanket (PHT) and Back on Track for therapy products. I get him worked on with an Equiscope regularly, and recently got an Equipod to use in between. He gets bodywork done regularly and I'll nebulize a lot in the summer as well. As far as supplements, I mostly just feed Platinum (regular and dermal support) and EO3 oil. And electrolytes!
Another must have (but isn't really a therapy) is shavings! Whiskey loves to lay in shavings or straw, so I pack them everywhere and put them down in his pen wherever I stop for the night.
How do you manage to balance life at home/work with life on the road?
My family is the biggest help for sure. My parents come along a lot and help with driving. I'm lucky to have a job that allows me to take time off or work remote when I have to. It can be a lot, but I also figure it's only a couple that we're really crazy busy so just roll with it.
Who did you travel with this year? Do you have a funny or heart warming story you could share about your time together, or anything you would like to share about them?
My sister or my parents are mostly who I travelled with this year. Probably my favourite thing was Armstrong weekend. My sister didn’t come out to BC with us. When I got home from the weekend she surprised me with a cake she made and decorated with CFR51. It was pretty cool and pretty special!
How are you preparing for the Canadian Finals Rodeo practise wise? What is your routine like to be ready for Edmonton?
I'm not really changing anything from the rest of the year. We have a few more rodeos and a derby to run at to stay sharp. Otherwise mostly exercising to keep him fit and some slow work.
If your horse was an actor/actress in a movie, who would play them, or if your horse was a character from a movie, which character do they remind you of and why?
I’d say Robert Downey Jr. Very confident, charismatic and good at what he does.
For movie character I think he’d be Han Solo in Star Wars. He’s the one that thinks he’s too cool for this, thinks he’s smarter than everyone else. But also very loyal and there when you need him.
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up, and what do you do now?
I think it changed all the time, but I always wanted to be a barrel racer. Now I work as a Financial Analyst for MNP.
If you could swing a leg over another qualifier's horse, who would it be and why?
I would have to say Fling of Karli Cowie's. She is so fast and so turny, she looks like a lot of fun to ride!
How many barrel horses do you currently have in your string, tell us about them?
Whiskey is the only horse I have running at the moment. Otherwise I have a three year old Aint Seen Nothin Yet (Aint Dat Somethin aka Trevor), and my mare Ruby who I bred this year. And I just bought a weanling from the Royal Crown sale in Ponoka I’m excited about.
What is your advice for someone who wants to take a shot at making the Canadian Finals Rodeo?
Get a team that you trust. A good vet and good farrier can make or break your season. Don't be afraid to ask for help from someone who has gone a lot. I find the top girls to usually be very helpful and happy to share, if you just ask. Know your horse and what kind of set ups favour them. Don't get discouraged and stop entering early, commit to trying a full year and get the experience.
So many people I could thank. My family for all their support. My sister for letting me steal her horse occasionally. My awesome vets at Energy Equine (Chad Hewlett and Travis Kelter). My sponsors this year: Simply Straw, Flair Equine, Baredown Brand, Strathmore Motor Products, Equiscope Gal. Melanie Lawson for doing bodywork, Doug Sapergia my farrier. All the other competitors who have been so kind and supportive all year. All the committees who give us somewhere to go.
