Barrel Racer to Watch: Bayli Hayes
Barrel Racer to Watch: Bayli Hayes
Bayli Hayes is a name to remember. The talented 16-year-old is a horse-crazy barrel racer who just crossed off a huge to-do on her bucket list last month.
By Hope Sickler
Bayli Hayes is a name to remember. The talented 16-year-old is a horse-crazy barrel racer who just crossed off a huge to-do on her bucket list last month.
Riding her partner in crime, "Red," Hayes advanced to the semifinals of The American at a qualifier held in Lewisburg, Ohio. Hayes and "Red" posted a time of 15.577 seconds, which kept them in the top 10 to advance to semifinals in Fort Worth, Texas, this February.
"When I knew that I had qualified, the word 'excited' was an understatement!" Hayes said. "This has been a goal of mine since I first heard of The American. I had tried to qualify at about eight qualifiers since it first started but luck never seemed to be on my side. On several occasions, barely tipping a barrel to make it and one to even win the qualifier by two-tenths of a seconds in Starkville, Mississippi, last year."
The result was a long time in the making for the Philadelphia, Tennessee, native, who grew up around horses and fell in love with barrel racing at a young age.
When Hayes was 8 years old, a man who was working for Hayes' parents at the time invited them to watch his granddaughter compete at a barrel race. Not long after, Hayes got her start on 20-year-old racking retiree named "Rusty."
As she learned the tricks to barrel racing, Hayes was drawn in further to the sport's "adrenaline junkie" nature and competitive aspects.
"Everyone in my family is very competitive, so I guess that was embedded in me at a young age," Hayes said. "I have always been competitive. The mindset that I have in everything that I do is my desire to always want more and the passion to be the best that I can be."
As she prepares for the semifinals, Hayes said she's focusing on riding smart, so she can "let 'Red" do his job and stay out of his way."
Bully by Design, or "Red" as Hayes affectionately calls the 11-year-old son of Designer Red, previously turned heads at the semifinals when he and Clint Sherlin advanced to Arlington's AT&T Center for The American, the richest one-day rodeo.
Sherlin piloted the talented gelding for some time before Hayes was handed the reins. Both jockeys have done outstanding aboard the AAA red rocket.
"There are many things about "Red" that make him that special, once in a lifetime horse. But what makes him so special to us is the big heart that he has always had and how much he truly enjoys his job," Hayes said.
Hayes will be on cloud nine until February rolls around, and she is anxious to get the chance to participate in the event and not just be a spectator.
"I am excited to take in the full experience, and I am very excited to eat at some of my favorite steak houses," Hayes said. "I love to eat and Fort Worth is one of my favorite places to go! It's a win, win!"
Bayli Hayes is a name to remember. The talented 16-year-old is a horse-crazy barrel racer who just crossed off a huge to-do on her bucket list last month.
Riding her partner in crime, "Red," Hayes advanced to the semifinals of The American at a qualifier held in Lewisburg, Ohio. Hayes and "Red" posted a time of 15.577 seconds, which kept them in the top 10 to advance to semifinals in Fort Worth, Texas, this February.
"When I knew that I had qualified, the word 'excited' was an understatement!" Hayes said. "This has been a goal of mine since I first heard of The American. I had tried to qualify at about eight qualifiers since it first started but luck never seemed to be on my side. On several occasions, barely tipping a barrel to make it and one to even win the qualifier by two-tenths of a seconds in Starkville, Mississippi, last year."
The result was a long time in the making for the Philadelphia, Tennessee, native, who grew up around horses and fell in love with barrel racing at a young age.
When Hayes was 8 years old, a man who was working for Hayes' parents at the time invited them to watch his granddaughter compete at a barrel race. Not long after, Hayes got her start on 20-year-old racking retiree named "Rusty."
As she learned the tricks to barrel racing, Hayes was drawn in further to the sport's "adrenaline junkie" nature and competitive aspects.
"Everyone in my family is very competitive, so I guess that was embedded in me at a young age," Hayes said. "I have always been competitive. The mindset that I have in everything that I do is my desire to always want more and the passion to be the best that I can be."
As she prepares for the semifinals, Hayes said she's focusing on riding smart, so she can "let 'Red" do his job and stay out of his way."
Bully by Design, or "Red" as Hayes affectionately calls the 11-year-old son of Designer Red, previously turned heads at the semifinals when he and Clint Sherlin advanced to Arlington's AT&T Center for The American, the richest one-day rodeo.
Sherlin piloted the talented gelding for some time before Hayes was handed the reins. Both jockeys have done outstanding aboard the AAA red rocket.
"There are many things about "Red" that make him that special, once in a lifetime horse. But what makes him so special to us is the big heart that he has always had and how much he truly enjoys his job," Hayes said.
Hayes will be on cloud nine until February rolls around, and she is anxious to get the chance to participate in the event and not just be a spectator.
"I am excited to take in the full experience, and I am very excited to eat at some of my favorite steak houses," Hayes said. "I love to eat and Fort Worth is one of my favorite places to go! It's a win, win!"