story by Gabrielle Barnes
Mother, grandmother, barrel racer, and stunt driver are just a few of the hats Susan Dubeau from Alberta, Canada wears. Though her favorite of all is being “Mima” to her two grandchildren, Hunter and Ella, Susan has still made time in her busy schedule to compete as a Canadian member of the National Senior Pro Rodeo Association for the last 14 years. Susan presently works in the movie industry as a driver for producers, actors and actresses, transporting them safely from one location to another. With the time commitment her occupation requires, Susan doesn’t get as much time to hit the rodeo trail as she has in the past. Since the NSPRA only requires members to attend five rodeos during the year in order to qualify for the finals, Susan has still been able to compete and qualify while attending to both her family and job.
No stranger to the sport, Susan barrel raced in her first rodeo when she was nine, and in high school rodeo added breakaway roping, goat tying, pole bending and cutting to her list of trades. She began barrel racing professionally post high school, and has since trained many barrel futurity and derby horses. Susan inherited her strong passion for barrel racing from her mother, who is also a member of the NSPRA. She was in the saddle before she could even walk, and since her first rodeo, was hooked on barrel racing and training barrel horses. “I love the bond that you get with certain horses, because they all have something so special to offer. Sometimes you have to dig a little deeper for that treasure, but in the long run it’s usually worth it. They say some of the harder horses end up being the best, and that is true. They give you a few problems, but you work through them together and that’s what helps you go on and win.”
When her schedule permits, Susan barrel races and and ropes on a mare she calls Poppy, but has had the privilege to run some special horses in the past too. During her professional rodeo career she rode a horse named Lethal Dan, as well as Jet’s Little Bar or “Face,” nicknamed as a colt for always being in his handler’s face. Face helped Susan make several trips to the Calgary Stampede, Canadian Finals Rodeo, and many more throughout Canada and the United States. Susan’s mother was also able to compete on the gelding. “He won me a lot of money, then my mom went on to run him; he won her a lot of titles as well. He was cool. I am so blessed with all of my horses, though. My whole life I am just truly grateful for everything.”
Although Susan didn’t have the time she needed to qualify Poppy for the Senior National Finals in barrel racing this year, she was able to qualify in the ribbon roping with her partner Trent Tidwell. “It makes it really fun on the years that I can’t barrel race much because of my work, I can still jump on a plane and go get qualified at least in the ribbon [roping]. Then if I can get my mare to some rodeos, it all works out.” Susan and Trent finished third in the average this year at the SNFR.
Another part Susan enjoys about being a member of the NSPRA is getting together with everyone. “They’re my friends, and I am always so excited when I get to go down and see everyone; I love everybody there. When you’re competing you’re busy and doing things, but then there’s supper or a dance, and just the visiting and the comradery I guess, that’s what I like. I usually end up going to more NSPRA rodeos than I do up here in Canada because of my schedule; it’s really crazy how that works out. I love that you can compete, there’s good competition, yet you can sit back and have a BBQ with everybody.”
In the future Susan would like to continue her involvement in the movie industry, from transporting celebrities to being a stunt driver. She would also like to get another horse going and be able to balance her time with family, work and play.
Susan says she will be able to accomplish these future goals by following her favorite statement: Have faith. “In anything I do, I put all my faith into the Lord; I project it up ahead and I know that things will be good. I know that everything always works out the way it should.” She also plans to continue competing with the NSPRA. “I don’t have to travel like the pros do, I can’t do that anymore, but with the NSPRA I can go for four or five days and then be done for a little bit. I love the association, and I plan to compete for as long as I am barrel racing. I believe that I am the most blessed person, I am so so grateful.”
