Katelyn Hicks has three passions: riding horses, going fast and winning.
Her hobby, not so coincidentally, combines all three.
Hicks, 5, has already amassed a number of victories on horseback.
The most significant was when Hicks brought home the Kansas State Pee Wee 2D Barrell Racing Championship in Topeka in May.
The first-place prize, a breast collar outfitted for the two horses she rides, paled in comparison to the cash.
“I won $45!” Hicks exclaimed excitedly.
She’s also taken in a number of top finishes in area rodeo circuits, usually enough to pay her entry fees.
Hicks, daughter of Jamie and Bekki Hicks of Iola, competes in barrell and pole racing, flag contests and goat tail tying.
She’s been riding since she was 2½, and riding solo for about a year now.
It’s hardly a solo effort. Several family members help with Kaitlyn’s training, while even more are always in attendance at her various competitions.
Her father is a team roper, while her cousin, John Hutton, serves as a mentor and coach, working with Hicks during her spare time.
“John rode with Kaitlyn through the poles, then she tried it once by herself, and she hasn’t looked back,” said Susie Bennett, Kaitlyn’s great-aunt.
“Kaitlyn really likes it,” agreed Margaret Bennett, Kaitlyn’s great-great-aunt. “She’s definitely not one of those kids you have to drag to get them on a horse. You put her on a horse, then you have to drag her away.”
Kaitlyn has taken a liking to her equine partners.
Up until recently — and during her successful haul in May in Topeka — Kaitlyn had competed solely on Skeeter, a 19-year-old quarter horse.
“Skeeter is great at protecting her,” Susie Bennett said, “but Skeeter isn’t exactly built for speed.”
