Jennifer Neudorf CFR 2025
Jennifer Neudorf is no stranger to success. Whether it’s the rodeo arena, or the reining world, she is an outstanding horsewoman and she has proven it on multiple horses over the years. The 2025 season was no exception.
When her good mare Escalating, (Tres Seis x Kickin Escalation) had to have colic surgery in the spring, and Canyons Moonlight (Guys Canyon Moon x VF Redlights) aka Febe got hurt, she swung a leg over PYC Fast Guy (Frenchs Hula Guy x Fiscal Fast) aka Fernando, a seven year old stallion owned by Makayla Lundy, (bred by Jodie Neudorf, Jennifer’s Mom). The rest is history.
Neudorf went on to win the Ponoka Stampede on Fernando, and qualified for her second Canadian Finals Rodeo after just 22 rodeos, placing at 10 of them and earning a total of $30,997.44. Of that, $19,333.54 came from her impressive showing at Ponoka. She finished 9th in the regular season standings.
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What is your main mounts back story?
My main mounts story has kind of been all over the place this year, Fernando (PYC Fast Guy) was my main mount for most of the rodeos. He carried me this year and was the most phenomenal horse I’ve been able to rodeo on in those big outdoors. Going into the CFR my hope is to run Escalating, who is coming back from colic surgery that she had in the spring. I don’t want to rush her and push her to do something she’s not ready to do so, Jill parsonage is letting me borrow her amazing black mare Twitch for CFR as well.
What was your most memorable run this season, and what made it memorable?
Ponoka Stampede. The most memorable part is how unexpected it was, and how many people were able to be apart of the horses story when it came to everything. It’s a feeling I’m going to be chasing for awhile! Being a nonpro in reining, I’m not able to take outside horses in any discipline for profit, so it’s also special with Makayla owning and lending me Fernando, and him being the first horse I competed on in that big of an event and not being mine. It was something super special and amazing to be apart of.
What was different about your rodeo season this year compared to last year?
This year I really had to learn and adapt to go with whatever curveball got thrown. I also never attached myself to the goal of making CFR as much as the previous years, I just ran my own race with whatever horse I was on.
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?
After Febe and Escalating got hurt, one of my goals this year was no matter how the rodeos were going I was going to listen to how my horse was feeling and turning out of rodeos if something didn’t feel right. I never realized how hard it was going to be to sit in the decision of turning out. It was hard to keep the confidence in my decisions as I was trying to listen to my gut feelings, but when the day of the rodeo came I would start to think logically with the what ifs. This year helped with confidence, and proved that when I listen to my horses, they ran strong enough to get us to CFR in 22 rodeos.
What was the best restaurant you stopped at all year? Any hidden gems to mention?
The Clove in Armstrong BC! The food was amazing, but my favourite part was the chai espresso martini, it’s the best martini I’ve ever had.
What is your least favourite part of being on the rodeo road, and what is your favourite?
My least favourite part would be the inconsistency on my young horses that have to stay at home.
My favourite part is probably all the places you go and somehow always end up on side quests and adventures on the road. It’s never a dull moment but the summers sure go by fast!
What therapies are a must have for your horse?
XLR8, Magnawave (one of my favourites), massaging their muscles with blue lotion, magic cushion, icing (one of my favourites) and cold hosing.
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 Taylor Manning at the start of the year. Even thought I missed her company down the road I was turning out of a lot of rodeos so decided to go by myself. I also wanted to start taking more young ones with me so this way I had some extra room.
My one friend of 11 years, Tristen Owen just moved in with me to Rimbey from Grande Prairie where we used to live. She came with me to over half of the rodoes to help ride young horses and drive!
Outside of rodeo it’s hard to find spare time in the summer, but we made sure we went boating at least once this year. Taylor came a bit late so it gave me a chance to practice how to make the perfect waves to buck someone off the tube. Right when Taylor got there I told her to get on the tube and said I would drive nice, but got her bucked off very quickly. We all got bruise badges the next day.
This winter Taylor was in Texas and I stayed home, though I flew down to visit a couple times. I last minute decided to go to Oklahoma for a month, and run in the Ruby Buckle at the end of April. Tristen and I got there right before the American so we met up with Taylor Manning, and Taylor Junt (a new friend we met that winter through Ashley), to watch it! Tristen, Taylor, and I do not dress up often, but it was so much fun to dress up in outfits that felt a bit bold for us. We watched the American live, all for the first time together!
How are you preparing for the Canadian Finals Rodeo practise wise? What is your routine like to be ready for Edmonton?
My preparation is a but different this year because I’m bringing Escalating back from having all summer off being out after colic surgery. She has been getting round penned a lot at home to strengthen all her muscles to get ready to run at CFR. I’m excited to see how she will do there running against some horses that have been running all year if it will be an advantage or disadvantage.
Her first run back was in Ponoka at the Royal Crown where she ran a smooth 17.2 but tipped. I don’t want to do too much too fast before CFR so I turned out of the second round.
I’m going to push her to be ready, but my focus will be watching to see how she’s handling it.
Thankfully, Jill Parsonage is being so kind to let me borrow her amazing mare Quick Ta Cash In (Ninety Nine Goldmine x Quick Twitch) aka Twitch, for CFR! So if Escalating isn’t feeling herself, I have another horse that’s just as fun in those small indoors!
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up, and what do you do now?
I went to Mexico when I was six and swam with the dolphins. Since that moment, I wanted to be a dolphin trainer. It changed more to horses when I was older, but all I knew is I wanted to do something with training animals. I was also very persuasive as a child, so my parents always told me I would be a good lawyer, and I did consider that until high school.
If you could swing a leg over another qualifier's horse, who would it be and why?
That’s a hard choice as they are all amazing, but for my riding style I think I would love to run Karlie Cowie’s mare, Fling, or Taylor Manning’s mare, Bling.
How many barrel horses do you currently have in your string, tell us about them?
Twitch - I don’t know much about her, I will be picking her up at the Twirl N Whirl. I’ve watched Jill’s video’s and runs many times throughout the years and have always loved Twitch. Jill has her so solid on the pattern, so all I’m hoping is if I run her, I’ll do a good job!
Escalating - mostly explained in the previous question about prep for CFR.
Fernando - he is an amazing stallion with a big heart. He was so consistent and couldn’t have made my season any better! He is the most fun outdoor rodeo horse I’ve ran.
What is your advice for someone who wants to take a shot at making the Canadian Finals Rodeo?
One thing I realized in rodeo is everyone goes through dry spells of not placing and in those moments for myself was don’t get discouraged and try to change too much. It’s a long race all summer with over 40 rodeos. The last two weeks of this season shows sometimes that it only takes a few good weekends to really change up the leaderboard!
I learned to enjoy the dry spells and stay confident throughout them. Half the time it’s just rodeo, weather, or unlucky draws and there’s nothing you can do.
I think the thank you is one of the most important of this interview, but the hardest because I don’t want to forget anyone!
Everyone who made CFR or even competes in the horse world knows it takes a village from vets, farriers, chiroprators, and other therapists to help horses feel good, as well as the people closest to us. Even someone giving a random uplifting compliment at a rodeo can make all the difference!
I got to be apart of something special this year with Makayla, and I can’t thank her enough for giving me a horse when mine got hurt! Even when she was getting told to sell him, he won’t stay sound, don’t waste your money, she still put all her heart and time into Fernando and it showed!
I also couldn’t have been where I am today without my Mom for everything she has taught me and supported me through. My Dad, and reining trainer Craig, for pushing me further than I thought I could go. My cousin, Brooklyn, and friend Tristen, for helping me, making it fun, and being there for me all summer! Thank you to Taylor, and Shelly Manning, for teaching me all the rodeo tips and tricks, for their support, and memories made since I’ve started rodeoing! And of course to my sponsors for helping me and my horses make CFR! Every sponsor played a part in making my horses and I feel and look as good as possible all season! I have an amazing team of sponsors that are always willing to help, and are very personable and supportive throughout the 2025 season. Vetline Equine, Usher Brand, Zestara, XLR8, Excell EQ, The Medicine Shop, and GP Brewing Co.
