story by Lindsay Humphrey
Her rodeo career began on the back of a miniature pony named Trigger, but Hazlee McKenzie quickly graduated from the leadline classes. She stepped up to another pony, Shortround, a few years later. “Both my parents (Jason and Tera) rope, so I’ve ridden horses since I was really little. I used to ride Trigger all the time. But Shortround was pretty competitive in all the junior rodeo events,” said the 13-year-old. As Hazlee’s moved up the ranks on full-sized horses, she’s also transitioned through the associations. Now she’s in her final year with the OKJHSRA.
As a four-event athlete, Hazlee has quite a bit capturing her attention. However, she’s learned how to focus on each individual event when it’s time. “My dad always tells me to ride smart and do what I can, the best that I can. That’s all I try to worry about, and I do my best to stay focused on that and keeping my horses calm.” Hazlee competes in barrels, poles, breakaway and ribbon roping. She has several role models in rodeo, but mostly looks up to Cheri Cervi. “Cheri is really passionate about horses and trying to be her very best. I think she’s a great person to look up to because she’s able to win on multiple horses and not just one.”
Cheri and Hazlee have their love of horses in common, but they also enjoy the same event: barrels. “I like running barrels because I like the horses I have for that event. And I feel like I’m the most competitive in it.” It’s also, simply, just a lot of fun for Hazlee. Of course, the fact that barrel racing is a highly competitive event adds to the thrill. Last year Hazlee was riding a wave of hard-earned success into state finals. She was trailing the top barrel spot by only a point and a half. “On the first day, my horse slipped and that kept us out of placing. The points were really tight, and I think I could’ve had a shot at winning state if I had placed that day.”
She came back with a bone to pick for the 2020-2021 season. Hazlee has her sights set on qualifying for nationals in multiple events. With this goal in mind, Hazlee has the finer details of the mechanics top of mind. “You need to have your timing just right. You can’t be a little bit off going around the barrels or you could hit them. Precision is key and you have to be with your horse to do that.” Hazlee rides two different horses in barrels between various associations. She mainly uses Scooter for amateur rodeos, including the CRRA, and then rides BB for the OKJHSRA.
Not only did Hazlee qualify for and compete in the CRRA finals in the barrels, she also won rookie of the year in 2019. “My favorite part about rodeo is that I’ve met a lot of people and they’ve become friends all while competing in my favorite sport.” BB, Hazlee’s 9-year-old mount for the OKJHSRA, was a local sale barn find. They bought him as a 4-year-old and he was only halter broke. “My dad broke him, and I trained him on the barrels and poles.” Hazlee’s other barrel horse, Scooter, was also bought as a 4-year-old. He was a rope horse and then I started taking him around the barrels. He really took to them.” Training horses has quickly become an extra hobby for Hazlee. “I’ve also been riding a couple of young horses and I like it so far. I might try and take up training barrel horses one day.”
