story by Terry Rhodes
RMPRA member, Kailey Freed
– John Golom
Spend a few minutes talking with RMPRA member Kailey Freed and the passion that she has for her horses will be more than obvious. “If I’m not riding my horse, I want to look at my horse. I want to go pet my horse; I want to go feed my horse. I team rope just about every day. That’s what makes me excited to wake up every day.” Her horses are PC Redwood Manny bred and she likes the characteristics of the line. “They have a big mind, they want to turn, and they’re easy to train. I’ve really been happy with them.” She is also involved finding the right horse for the right roper and does some brokering of team roping horses.
She is a long-standing member of the association. “I’ve been a member since it started and was in the IMPRA when they were both together. I like the RMPRA because they do a good job of taking care of their members. There are always people there to answer questions, help you enter, or get you up when you need to be. I think Ben (German) does an outstanding job of keeping things organized.” Kailey’s events are primarily breakaway and barrel racing. “I’ll team rope sometimes if they have the 18-40 team roping. That’s for teams that one person is under 18, over 40, or a girl.” She is also a WPRA member and in the USTRC.
Her rodeo roots started with her family. “It’s been a family affair. My dad rodeoed quite a bit as did his brothers, and my mother is from a rodeo family. So that’s how I got into it, biology, I guess. I started in junior rodeo and then went on to high school rodeo. I went to Tarleton State University and finished at Weber State University on a rodeo scholarships at both schools.” She earned double bachelor’s degrees in management and finance.
Her preparation for competition means lots practice at home. “If you practice really hard before, then you can go to the rodeo and be confident in your ability. My dad tells me to just go out and have fun. You have to enjoy and embrace competing and you want to have fun. Then you don’t have the nerves that affect how you do. I have had quite a few ‘clutch’ finishes and my mental ability to make adjustments and just go out and win has been a strong point for me.” Before she runs, Kailey takes a deep breath and clues her horse into the program. “If I’m going to run barrels I always give my horse a little pep talk. I don’t know if he listens or not but I tell him what the pattern looks like and what he’s going to need to do.
Her parents are Paul and Kindra Freed. Kailey has five sisters and she is the only one to pick up the reins of rodeo – figuratively and literally. She names her dad as being her biggest influence. “He’s taught me everything about team roping and life. Ever since I was little I wanted to be outside and would follow him around. I spend a lot of time helping my dad work cattle on the ranch.”
Kailey, 28 calls Morgan, Utah home now but not for very much longer. “I’m in the midst of moving up to Wellsville, Utah and getting married to my fiancé, Kyler Mitton. We actually met at a RMPRA rodeo. He competes in the calf roping and team roping.”
During the week Kailey is working full time, training colts, working horses, ropes, and helps her dad on the ranch. Goals for the future are to continue to rodeo and work horses. “I’d love nothing more than to be able to continue doing more of the same. Riding, rodeoing, and spending time with my family and friends is a dream come true in itself.”
