story by Lily Weinacht
“I love horses and it’s really awesome to have a good connection with your horse,” says GCPRA barrel racer Sydney Jacob. “It’s hard when you drive hours to get to a rodeo and have that one run, and you hit a barrel, but you have so many ups too and runs that are so inspiring, and you just want to keep going on.”
Through the highs and lows of her rodeo career, the 17-year-old from Tucson, Arizona, has qualified twice for the GCPRA Finals, and finds the time in between each run equally rewarding as she travels and competes with her mom, Candice Chintis. “She introduced me to rodeo and she used to do the Turquoise Circuit and qualified for their finals a couple of times,” explains Sydney, who is sitting in the top 15 of the open barrel racing standings. “We go together to the GCPRA. This is my third year doing it. I love Sonoita and my horse does too—he does really good in big outdoor arenas. With the GCPRA, everything is right on time. They run their organization really well and keep their contestants updated on any changes that are going to happen, and they work really hard to keep the ground good.”
Sydney loves the adrenaline rush of barrel racing, and competes in the NBHA as well, but particularly loves the family atmosphere of the rodeos she goes to. “Everyone is so kind, and it’s like a little family.” Rodeoing also gives Sydney many hours with her mom, and they talk about their upcoming runs while they drive. “She’s helped me with pretty much everything—whenever I’m short on fees she’s helped me, and I’ve never really gone to rodeos with anyone else, so it’s my mom who really inspires me.”
The mother and daughter also work together running Candice’s business, Avra Veterinary Clinic, which specializes in equine rehabilitation and conditioning. Sydney helps in the therapy barn with running their aqua treadmill and saltwater spa. Her online schooling gives her the flexibility to work a variety of hours while also rodeoing, and she’s set to graduate high school in August. “We run our business and I try to go to as many races as I can. I’m always around doing something with the horses. My mom used to raise horses and train and sell them, but we don’t do that as much anymore with this other business.” Sydney’s sister, Collecia, barrel raced and helped train horses, and they also have a brother, Mark Jacob.
Sydney’s main barrel horse is Viper, a 10-year-old gelding by Blazin Jetolena out of their Trade Lady Eight mare that they raised and trained. “We’ve had our ups and downs but we’re finally getting to the point where we’re more consistent, and this year is going really good for us,” says Sydney. “I have a 2-year-old I’ve been riding, Lilly, by Streaking Ta Fame out of a Zevi mare, and I’m excited for her.” She’s considering college rodeoing on her horses, but also wants to continue working in her mom’s business, and hopes to take up breakaway roping in the future. “I play with the dummy every now and then, and I definitely have a couple people I know that will help me out,” she says. “I really want to get to as many rodeos as I can and get my horse seasoned in the rodeo atmosphere. When I turn 18 I’d like to get my pro card and hopefully go run at more pro rodeos. And long-term, I’ll hopefully make the NFR.”
