Jenna Dallyn CFR 2025
Jenna Dallyn has qualified for her fourth Canadian Finals Rodeo after taking home $31,929.53 aboard her horse DF Whiskey Tufnbusy (Eds Little Whiskey x Genuine Tuf Chex), aka Doc. The duo entered 32 rodeos, placing at fifteen, winning one, and finished second in the regular season standings.
Breakaway interviews are presented by, Crown + Crow Coffee. Good things come to crows who wait. But first, coffee.
What is your main mounts back story?
Doc is nine year old gelding that I got four years ago from a family in Manitoba. I did not know what I had when I got him he was just a young horse that I was going to heel on and get going in the breakaway a little. Over time he showed me great qualities that could potentially make him a top end breakaway horse, including his run and scoring ability. It took awhile to put it all together but he has brought me great success just in the past year!
What was your most memorable run this season, and what made it memorable?
Two runs specifically stick out for me this year.
My second run in Ponoka, I was 2.8 and placed in the round. My traveling partner, Amanda went before me and made a great run and then I was able to make a great run after her. I still watch that video all the time, coming down the lane was really cool and my horse worked great there.
In the Short round at Salinas, I was 4.7, won the short round, and won 3rd in the average. The unique setup at Rodeo Salinas made it my favorite rodeo of the year.
What was different about your rodeo season this year compared to last year?
This year I decided to rodeo full time in the States and pursue a national finals of breakaway qualification as well as trying to make the Canadian Finals Rodeo. So this year was different in so many ways. I was a rookie going to all the rodeos down south so that was probably the biggest adjustment after being in Canada the last few years and having all the logistics figured out up there.
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 had a dry spell most of August where I was missing, breaking barriers on the good calves, being way late on others, and even roped myself at a rodeo in Lakeview, OR . But what I like to do when things don’t feel right is rope the dummy. And truly feel what my left hand and right hand are doing as if I’m riding my horse. It’s sort of visualization in a way, but a lot of feel since it’s a big feel sport. I’m also pretty particular how my loops hit on my dummy, so I really focus on that as well and get to where I can have good loops hit consistently. When I do this I can gain a little bit of confidence going into the next one.
Tell readers something good that happened to you this season, other than winning or placing at a rodeo?
Getting to compete at the Calgary Stampede this year was a huge highlight. Also I’ve met a lot of people that have helped us along the way as we travelled across the country this year.
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?
Going off last year my annual vet cost was around $5K and rodeo expenses were around 30k (including farrier, food, fuel, vet, feed, equipment, r&m, and fees).
What was the best restaurant you stopped at all year? Any hidden gems to mention?
The best restaurant we stopped at all year was the Fish Hopper in Monterey, CA. Not exactly on the Canadian rodeo trail but definitely the best seafood I’ve ever had.
What is your least favourite part of being on the rodeo road, and what is your favourite?
My least favorite part is losing. And my favorite part is getting to rope and compete at all these places. Along with the challenge of being a horseman and great competitor along the way.
What therapies are a must have for your horse?
Doc constantly has his hay net in front of him with alfalfa hay, Then is also fed once a day beet pulp with equinity and ultimate finish. I also try to get bodywork done on him a few times a year.
How do you manage to balance life at home/work with life on the road?
This year, life on the road has been my life at work as well. Which is really cool to say and a dream I have had. With that being said my mom and dad have helped a lot behind the scenes taking care of horses and other things at home.
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?
I travelled with Amanda Terrel this year. She was great to travel with and we became good friends over the summer. I was in her sister’s wedding a few years ago, but really didn’t know Amanda too well. She asked what my plan was this year, and I told her I’m staying in Canada until end of June, then I’ll make a plan from there. She was all in, and came up to our place early summer to also try and make the CFR.
We had some good laughs this summer. One time I was at home, and I got a call from Amanda and she’s two miles down the road from our house, she backed up into the ditch, and high centered her truck, because she was helping the neighbour get his buffalo off the road. So we had to go pull her out of the ditch and also help the man get his buffalo off the road. It was quite the experience. and the moment I was first skeptical of Amanda’s driving.
How are you preparing for the Canadian Finals Rodeo practise wise? What is your routine like to be ready for Edmonton?
This year is a lot different I won’t get as much practice at home as I usually do since I will be gone most of September trying to make the breakaway finals. However it’s still something I think about constantly, and I’m really trying to put my mind in the right place to be ready for that week. I’m still in the rodeo routine of roping the dummy constantly, making adjustments as needed, and working on my horse in the ways that I can. Luckily I do have a few days off here and there where I can also get some small sessions in.
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?
Oh man, I could compare Doc to Captain Jack Sparrow. He likes to do whatever he wants, slightly obnoxious but a crowd favuorite. And he’s got the long black hair.
If you could swing a leg over another qualifier's horse, who would it be and why?
Teacher from the Whiteside’s, he’s great at every part of the run and so consistent.
Are you a type A or type B breakaway roper?
Type A for sure.
How many breakaway horses do you currently have in your string?
I have 2 currently, my main one Doc and my backup/ practice horse JW.
What is your advice for someone who wants to take a shot at making the Canadian Finals Rodeo?
Go for it! Study the event and get around people who can help. And get yourself a good horse.
Thank you to my sponsors that have supported me all year: Weston Manufacturing ( Clint & Kayla Weston), CVS Controls (Lyle Kurtz), Tin Haul, Roper, Stetson (Jim & Kim Nevada) and Rattler (Bray Family). I appreciate all their support and the relationships we have built.
I also would like thank my family, the Wakefield family, the Terrell family, and many friends that have helped and supported me in various ways in the last year!
Looking forward to the CFR 51!
