By: Tammie Hiatt
Sindy Laliberte’ proves once again that she is one of the top Canadian barrel racers in the IPRA. Laliberte’ has punched her ticket to IFR49 in the number eight slot in the world standings. This will mark the fifth qualification for the French Canadian cowgirl. “It was my goal to qualify for the IFR this year,” said Sindy.
Laliberte’ first qualified for IFR40 and was named Rookie of the Year. Keeping the momentum going, she returned to IFR41 and claimed the average buckle. Sindy and her great gelding, Mr. Cotton Eyed Joe, made their third and final trip together at IFR43. “He is in his 20’s now, he was a great horse and I will always love him.”
IFR47 marked her fourth trip to the State Fair Arena. With a new horse under her, Sindy’s rodeo career was rebooted. When her friend, Denis Robert, asked her to ride Carrera Chic, Sindy was extremely excited to have the opportunity. “She was 7 years-old at the time. Chic had never competed at rodeos and I never dreamed she would qualify us for the finals. I didn’t know how she would do on the road, but week by week it got easier for her and we won a $6,000 check at St. Tite that year.”
Now on the horizon of IFR49, Sindy is once again happy to be heading to Oklahoma in January. “I’m so thrilled to be back on Chic. She had a serious bacteria infection in her leg and spent 6 months at the vet. We didn’t know if she would ever run barrels again,” she said.
“I’m so excited for her and that my friend, Denis, is again letting me ride this great mare. She’s so willing every time we compete. She has a big heart and always says, “Yes, I will try.”
“Even though she has so much try and loves her job, Chic likes to buck and play and you never know when this may happen. She actually bucked me off at a rodeo in the alley and ran in and turned the first and second barrel by herself,” said Sindy. “She keeps me on my toes.”
“I mostly traveled in Quebec this year and won our biggest check at St-Quentin. It was just a blessing that I got to compete on Chic again. Every rodeo was a great experience this year because of being able to ride her.”
“I traveled a lot with my husband, Joey Tardif. He owns Equipe de Rodeo Quebec and puts on several IPRA rodeos and brings stock to the IFR. I also went with my good friend Cindy Paquet, who is 15th in the world standings.”
“Right now, it is a challenge to keep Chic in shape. We already have a foot of snow on the ground. I come home from work and bundle up and go out and ride in the snow every night for about 30 minutes. We have some trails through the trees and an arena I can use if we scrape the snow off,” said Sindy.
“We plan to leave Canada on December 26 or 27, and go to some friends home in south Texas. I’ll be able to ride and get Chic legged up and hopefully go to a couple of rodeos before going to Oklahoma City.”
IFR49 action runs January 18-20, 2019 at the State Fair Arena. For ticket information, host hotel information and a schedule of events during IFR week, visit www.iprarodeo.com.
