Rule Back in the Saddle After Surgery, Claims Second-Place Honors at Calgary Stampede

Three months after hip-replacement surgery, Kentucky Equine Research-sponsored barrel racer Dona Kay Rule sat atop her remarkably dependable Valor to contest the Calgary Stampede. In the end, Dona Kay and Valor took home reserve-championship honors.

By Monday, July 11, Dona Kay had earned a spot in the finals by placing second in her preliminary pool and earning $13,500, despite one bump in the road: a toppled barrel in the fourth round.

In a Facebook post, Dona Kay acknowledged the fourth-round error but chose a positive outlook, “Well, dang it. You just want to be sad, but what a run, what a horse, what a fantastic experience! Proud as I can be to make the cut and proud to be a part of it with these great ladies! Finals bound!”

After the impressive runs early at the Calgary Stampede, The Cowboy Channel named Dona Kay its Female Athlete of the Week.

The top 10 barrel racers, the five highest money earners from both preliminary pools, competed in the finals on Sunday, July 17, for championship honors. Dona Kay finished second in the finals and added another $12,500 to her winnings. To determine the Calgary Stampede champion and a chance to win $50,000, the top four barrel racers ran one more time. Dona Kay and Valor sprinted home with second fastest time, just 0.137 seconds slower than the winner.

According to its website, “the Calgary Stampede is a not-for-profit community organization that preserves and celebrates our western heritage, cultures, and community spirit. Supported by thousands of passionate volunteers, year-round events, programs and initiatives invest in youth, support agricultural programs, celebrate western culture, and make a lasting economic impact in our city.”

“Valor gives me everything on the pattern,” Dona said. “To ensure I’m doing my best for him, I rely on supplements developed and proven by Kentucky Equine Research, especially Nano-Q10™ and Race Recovery™.”