The All Seasons Arena brings an extra significant amount of pride and purpose to Minot hometown cowgirl Cydney Peterson. This barrel racer brings a whole new understanding to being able to handle pressure in her ‘day’ — and lots of ‘night’ — job as a trauma nurse at Trinity Health.  

“Being a trauma nurse and competitive barrel racer really puts things into perspective,” stated Peterson. “Being in the trauma side of things, the atmosphere is intense and anxiety/emotional control has to be in check.”

Peterson said she believes that emotional management and being able to not get overwhelmed with personal effects has helped her cinch her spot to the Badlands Circuit Finals.

“My friends have even noticed that I’m a much calmer person since being in trauma. It kind of goes both ways — nursing helps the barrel racing and the barrel racing has helped me be a better nurse and handle intense situations,” stated Peterson.

“It really puts things and life into perspective. If a run doesn’t go how I wanted it or something happens, I’ve realized there are so much more important things in life to be concerned about,” described the cowgirl. 

Riding her ten-year-old gelding, Chrome, by Oh What A Frenchman by Frenchman’s Guy and Oh Honey Rose by Dash For Perks, the team is just coming into their prime. Peterson grew up watching the circuit finals every year as child and being in her backyard, she said the All Seasons Arena is her and Chrome’s favorite pen to run in. 

[Photo: submitted]

“The circuit finals have always been a goal of mine. I tried to hunt it last year, but soundness issues arose. Instead, I stayed a little closer and made NDRA finals. This year the Circuit Finals were priority. I worked with Horner Equine and Hannah Keller of Moving Forward Chiropractic. We maintained a more consistent maintenance schedule and, of course, shoeing schedule for Chrome.” 

Over the years of trial and error in the barrel racing and rodeo road, Peterson said she learned do to what worked for her horse. “Not all horses are the same, not every fix works for everyone, so do you,” explained Peterson.

Chrome really likes the big outdoor pens such as Dickinson, where they finished 2nd. “My game plan is to go make three solid runs and go for the average at circuit finals. Being in Minot and getting here is a thrill for both Chrome and I,” added Peterson. 

The demanding schedule Peterson has somehow strategically managed is nothing short of admirable. However, when she sets the stethoscope down and isn’t helping save lives, the nurse is behind the wheel or atop a horse at lightning speed. 

 “My schedule at the hospital is six weeks out, I work every other weekend. Entering rodeos happens sometimes the week before, maybe a couple weeks in advance, so that meant leaving a 3 a.m. shift to get to the morning slack and turning around to hit another shift at the hospital,” explained the cowgirl/nurse. 

When asked on how she managed to stay in the winner’s circle and keep herself and her horse safe on all night drives, she laughed, “A lot of Bubblers and a lot of crackers. I really must give a shout out to Katie Rossow. She was my traveling partner and sometimes, even when she was driving, I still didn’t sleep.” Peterson said that the two of them had a lot to talk about and the drives flew by. She also explained that the positive energy of Rossow was an asset and that is needed getting down the rodeo trail. 

Another note to add to the diversity of the barrel racer is that professional rodeo contestants in the northern region must work all year long and a lot of it happens in terrible conditions. “The hard work ethic of fellow Dakotans is real. We are riding and conditioning in tiny indoor barns or whatever is available during December and January to get or keep horses in shape to rodeo in February,” said Peterson. 

[Photo: submitted]

Between practicing in negative degree weather to driving through a blizzard to get to a circuit rodeo in the winter months up here, the contestants and their animals are tough enough to face any arena in front of them.

When posed with the question of what it takes to begin barrel racing to all the youth out there. Peterson said that what it all comes down to is working hard. “You must want it for yourself. You have to be willing to put in the time and the effort and work really hard. Think about and check yourself on why we all started this anyways. Because being around horses and the cowboy world is the best life we could ask for,” confidently stated Peterson. 

Peterson is the daughter of Tim and Michelle Peterson. The family has been long time supporters of the rodeo and western way of life across the state.

Peterson and Chrome will be running the cloverleaf in high speed with precision and are one of the reasons the ‘Why Not Minot’ phrase never ceases to exist during the Badlands Circuit Finals.