Ep 64 – Meet a Champion Mom: Raising Rodeo Kids with Katie McFarland

Welcome to the first episode in our Rodeo Mom Series. In this conversation, Jennifer Casey and Jeana Goodwin sit down with Idaho rodeo mom Katie McFarland, whose family live and breathe the rodeo lifestyle. From hauling to jackpots and high school rodeos to watching her son become the National High School Saddle Bronc Champion, Katie shares what it’s really like behind the scenes as the “grateful ground crew.”

We talk about the unseen grit of rodeo moms: long days, early mornings, making breakfast in the trailer, juggling three kids and multiple events, and learning to support big dreams while managing very real fears around injury and risk. Katie opens up about the emotions of national finals, raising twins who often hit highs and lows at different times, and how her family culture has built unshakable confidence in the arena.

You’ll also hear how the McFarlands weave horsemanship into daily ranch life (not just “practice time”), how their kids learned to love the work, why horsepower matter, and the way their family handles finances, entries, and expectations as the kids step into their own independence. Katie shares simple, powerful advice for new rodeo moms and reflects on what’s next for her as the kids move up into college and pro ranks.

In this episode, we cover:

• What it means to be the unseen “grit + grace” behind a champion
• The emotional roller coaster of watching your kid win a national title
• How the McFarlands built confidence and a winning mindset at home
• Balancing pushing vs. letting it be fun as kids grow into competitors
• Handling injuries, soreness, and the mom-anxiety that never really goes away
• Horses, breeding, and building the kind of horsepower their kids can win on
• Practical wisdom for new rodeo moms just starting the journey

If you’re a rodeo mom, a competitor who was raised by one, or you just love stories of family, grit, grace, and big dreams in the arena, this episode will give you chills and a whole lot of encouragement. 💛🤠

Link to Brain + Body Method -- Brain + Body (jenniferlcasey.com)

Link to Contestant Center App -- Contestant Center