story by Lindsay Humphrey
“Even when I was little, I can remember sitting at rodeos and wanting to barrel race,” said 16-year-old Ainsley Carter from Belen, New Mexico. “Basically, all of my friends are rodeo queens or involved in rodeo somehow and I go with them basically everywhere.” Ainsley’s interest in rodeo came easily but getting her foot in the door was a different story. Her first-hand experience with horses comes from those who are short in stature, but not lacking in attitude. “My dad (Russ) was on a mounted police unit, and he knew a lady (Miss Jan Gibson) with a bunch of miniature horses. He basically handed me off to her to learn all about horses.”
Formerly a saddlebronc rider, Ainsley’s stepdad, Matt, originally said no horses but evidently that changed. “Once I got into the minis, I knew that what I really wanted was to rodeo. I had to prove to my parents that I could handle the responsibility first.” Ainsley made her point and got started in barrels, poles and goats. Her favorite of three is pole bending, but it’s been a bumpy road at times. “I got my pole horse from a friend, and he was started on the heel side. He didn’t like that job, so I started him on poles. I could tell he had a lot of grit, so we started getting ready to compete.”
Without her start with Miss Jan, Ainsley is sure she wouldn’t be competing today. “She taught me so much and was and is there for me every step of the way. She gave me a whole bunch of opportunities that I wouldn’t have had without her help.” Patty Littlesoldier is another branch of Ainsley’s support system. “I bought a horse from Patty, and she’s basically taken me under her wing. I go over there and ride whenever I need to. She’s my backbone.”
Of course, Ainsley’s large family is a driving force behind her ability to rodeo almost every weekend. Both sets of parents – Russ and stepmom, Bev; and stepdad Matt and Melissa – are found on the sidelines cheering Ainsley on each weekend. And her siblings – Trevor, 21, Shay, 21, Daniel, 11, and Tegan, 6 – are there as often as they can be. “My family supports me in every way possible and they’ll do anything to help me out. I like to get into my head and they’re always there to reassure me.”
Other than her supportive family, Ainsley is fueled by competition. “I’m a very competitive person, so that’s something I like about the NMHSRA. But I also like how nice all the people are and that I can go up and talk to just about anyone and have a full conversation with a complete stranger.” One of Ainsley’s proudest moments so far came at state last summer. “I really loved going to state on a horse that I made and seeing our success and growth after all the hard work we both put in.” Her second favorite accomplishment was taking second at a pro rodeo against competition that was two or three times her age.
“I just got a new horse, so one of my goals for this season is to get her figured out. I think once I do, we can do really well together.” Ainsley is putting in the hours at home to push herself and her horses to their fullest potential. By doing this she hopes they can finish in the top ten or higher at each rodeo they compete in and possibly finish in the top ten at state finals next year. Of course, her ultimate goal is to make her inaugural trip to high school nationals before starting her senior season next fall. “Last year was my first time with the NMHSRA and I knew that I was seasoning a green horse. My goal for the year was to get my job done safely and know that I did everything well. I’m still thankful for the opportunity to even compete, but our goals have gotten a lot bigger now that it’s my second year with the association.”
