Barrel Horse World, In Between Runs: Ari-Anna Elise Flynn

Barrel Horse World
In Between Runs

Ari-Anna Elise Flynn

By: Katelyn McLeod, writer for Barrel Horse World

Moses Lake Washington was won by the one and only, Ari-Anna Flynn. She comes from a family of NFR qualifiers: Denny Flynn, a 10-time qualifier in the bull riding, and Lynn Flynn in the barrels. Ari-Anna has had a very competitive year staying right in the mix of the top 20 cowgirls, and this win from Moses Lake will sure help! Here are a few questions from Ari-Anna right after this exciting victory.

Hometown:
Charleston, Arkansas

Horses you travel with?
Toby and Hollywood. They are full brothers that I have trained myself. Hollywood has been in and out of the trailer this year, so Toby is who I have won most everything on.

Greatest accomplishment:
Winning the Texas Circuit Finals and getting to run at the Ram National Circuit Finals in Kissimmee, FL this year! Also staying in the top 20 in the world standings this year so far. That is one of my goals.

Favorite rodeo and why?
My favorite rodeo would have to be Austin, TX. I love the rodeo and so does Toby. He loves that arena and did amazing there this year!

How do you prepare for the different arenas?
I try to always ask people that I know have been there how the ground was, how big it is, and how far off the fence the barrels are. I try to always look up videos of the arenas so I can kind of prepare myself and my horses for them. If I need to be freeing them up or rating them down. I don't use the same bit a lot so seeing what the arena is like and where the barrels will be sat can help me figure out what bit to run my horses in!

What are your thoughts before you go in the arena?
Always before I run I say my prayer and ask God to watch over me and my horse as well as everyone else competing. I tell Him I know He has a plan for me and my horses and that I have faith in that plan. I try to just think about one barrel at a time and to do my job right.

How do you decide which horse to run at different rodeos?
Normally I would use Toby for the smaller arena and Hollywood for the bigger ones. This year I haven't been able to have Hollywood with me as much as I like, so Toby has had to step up and be the big man. He wasn't used to running in such big outdoor pens and we had some trouble at the beginning of the summer but I believe we are getting it figured out and we are ready to finish out this year!

What is the hardest thing about rodeoing?
The ups and down of it. There are alway going to be more downs than ups and you have to learn how to handle that pressure and work through it. It's a learning experience. Keep positive people around you and you will find it becomes much easier.

Favorite place to eat on the road
Sit down meal wise always a hibachi/sushi place!! I pretty much always have time for some sushi!! Fast food wise Freddy's or Taco Johns (thanks Emily Miller for that one) lol if you can find them!

Least favorite place to eat
Anyone who knows me well knows I don't really have a least favorite place to eat! Lol I can always pretty much find something I like. [I really enjoy food]

What buckle do you wear?
I wear my Texas Circuit Finals buckle. I have this thing where I set a goal to win something bigger than the buckle I have on and every time I accomplish that and win something bigger I switch out my buckles.

What helps to motivate you during the tough times of rodeo?
My dad and my mom. They are my go-to people when I'm feeling down! I also listen to a lot of motivational speakers and listen to books. I have quotes all over I read all the time. Also having positive friends and people in your life to talk to helps so much. Mostly though I know that God's plan is much bigger than mine and it's not always going to go like I want it to. I'm going to learn from the highs and lows in life and grow into a better person from them. I have a very big understanding of that. Any time I feel down I remind myself if I work hard for what I want and use the talents God has blessed me with and follow him it will all work out how it's supposed to. I firmly believe that.

What was your goal for this year when you hit the road?
My goal this year is to make it to the NFR. I've had that one since the first rodeo of this 2017 year. I changed a lot of things I was doing in my life and in rodeo, and I set my goal and having been pushing for it ever since.

Explain what it was like to win Moses Lake, WA?
For me it was a huge weight off my shoulders. I have been struggling with Toby in these big outdoor pens. Last night I did a few things differently and trusted him more than I have all summer. Running out and hearing my time I had the biggest smile on my face, bigger than any one I've had this year!!

I would like to thank my mom and dad for supporting me and being behind me no matter what, in every decision I've made this year. Also I would like to thank my sponsors. OENutra for introducing me to the best products out there. My horses have never felt so great or ran so hard, even being on the road almost 80% of the time this year. Bayou West Saddle Pads for keeping my horses saddled with the best pads around. They conform to my horses and stay in place for every run! My horses love them and help make every saddle fit better! Charlie 1 Horse Hats for always making me look good in the best hats! Whether it's my felts or straws, they always keep me looking and feeling good in them! They are the most comfortable hats I've worn!! FastNForward Stirrups for helping me keep my feet in my stirrups and ride better! I was always losing my stirrups until I got a hold of these. Now I can count on my feet staying in and I don't have to worry about rubber bands! Reborn Gear for always keeping me looking good in their ball caps and apparel!! LazySBeads for keeping my horses looking their best in their fully-beaded headstalls and breast collars. As well as me in my belt!!

Ari-Anna knows what it's like being in the winners circle. From high school, college, and now professional rodeo she has always set the bar high and accomplished many goals. In her freshman and senior years at Southeastern Oklahoma State University she qualified for the CNFR and won the region her senior year. Ari-Anna is currently sitting 17th in the WPRA World Standings with $58,233.96 and competing at 67 rodeos. We wish her the best the remainder of the year. Finish strong!

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