Shakespeare once said, “Though she be but little, she is fierce.”

She may appear small in stature, but Dusky Lynn Hall is quite the contrary in personality and drive. The third-generation, 9-year-old barrel racer from Huntsville, Texas is a force to be reckoned with in and out of the arena. This 4’1”, 56-pound package of dynamite makes no bones about it – horses and rodeo are her life. At the age of 7, Dusky left a private school in Huntsville to start home school and spend her time on what she loved most – horses and barrel racing. She burst into the barrel racing world at full speed and has no intention of slowing down.

With more than 100 buckles on display and trophy saddles that line the walls of her home, it is no surprise she is also the youngest child to have ever qualified for the prestigious The American Rodeo in Arlington, Texas. She qualified at a mere 7 years old.

“We were watching The American Rodeo on RFD TV, and Dusky (Lynn) told us she wanted to run for the million,” says Dusky Dawn Hall, mom of Dusky Lynn. “We knew she was serious, and it’s in her blood. So, we started putting building blocks in place with different horses. We started small, then worked our way up. It’s taken 2-3 years to put together the team she has now.”

The coveted American Rodeo event is considered the crown jewel of rodeos and gives contenders a chance to earn $1 million. Any rodeo athlete that lands outside the top five PRCA or WPRA ranking at the end of the season has the opportunity to compete at The American Rodeo by entering and competing in one or more of The American Contender Finals qualifying events, which Dusky accomplished in Oklahoma in February 2023. The American Rodeo takes place each year in March.

As she zoomed around her barn on her Segway, the Postcards team managed to corral Dusky Lynn for an interview. Her enthusiasm for her horses and barrel racing became evident, as she pulled out her phone and eagerly showed her winning and record-breaking runs from barrel races around the country, including the Breeder’s Challenge Championship Finale in the Open, Youth, and Derby divisions. In 2023, she took places 1-3 in the youth division and placed in the open adult division as well. She competed in the Texas Youth Rodeo Association finals and won five saddles; Ogden World Champion Barrel Race in Oklahoma, where she took her second consecutive win in the 8 and under class; the mega barrel race in Jackson, Mississippi; and last year’s run for the $1 million American Rodeo at Globe Life Field in Arlington, along with too many other winning runs to count. Along with other youth, she competes against adult professional riders across the country and has been successful on multiple horses, with different bloodlines, from different trainers. Since 2022, Dusky Lynn has nearly $200,000 in winnings, both in youth and open (adult) races.

Let’s start with the most obvious question, Dusky Lynn. Why do you like to barrel race so much?

I love to barrel race because I love my horses, and it’s the only sport I want to do forever. If you saddled 12 horses right now, I’d ride every single one. I think my horses love me, and I love to go fast.

Hall describes her daughter as fearless and one who is always trying to ride wide open. “I’m always the parent telling her to slow down. By the time she was 4 years old, she was riding her pony in the pattern saying, ‘Mom, I need a faster horse.’

Hall explains that as an experienced competitor herself, she has only let Dusky Lynn step up to a new horse when she was riding the previous one to its fullest ability. “I don’t have her feet tied down, and she’s never ridden in a magic seat to help her stay mounted. I always thought that if she can’t ride it, we need to slow down.”

How many horses do you have? What are their names?

I have seven. There is Ol Doc, “Choco,” and Add A Dash “Zeta.” They did what they needed to do to help get my name on the board and now they are retired.  I also have Troublenvrlooksogood, “Dexter” (who qualified for The American in February 2023); Aint Seen Famous Yet, “Wally”; Jets Letters ta Abby, “Jax”; VF Eyse Famous, “Eysa”; and The Red Maserati, “Mazi”.

Which one is your favorite and why? 

My favorite horse is “Choco”, because he’s won me so much money, and “Dexter” because he’s amazing and easy to ride.

What is your daily schedule like?

During the summer, I start helping Bailey, our barn manager, with the horses at about 10:00 a.m.  I help put them in the walker or ride them. Horses are athletes, and they have to exercise every single day.  So, we make sure they get at least 30 minutes of intense training every day.

I also help with cold water spa treatments or equiscopes for horses. I stay in the barn until about 6:00-8:00 p.m., then go back to the house. During the school year, I am homeschooled from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. and then head to the barn at about 2:00 p.m. for the rest of the day into the evening. Before we got the walker, I would ride 5 or 6 horses a day. I am basically at the barn every day for 8-10 hours.

Hall explains how her daughter is always working at getting better. “She rides every day in our arena and also with seasoned riders to learn more,” said Hall. “She doesn’t just jump on her horses and compete. She is continuously working on her skills. You could not put someone who is not prepared on the caliber horses she has and win.”

The family has a covered arena where Dusky’s parents create a realistic practice environment. A sound system cranks up the music while practicing, so Dusky and the horses can get accustomed to the noises and distractions of a race while working together.

“The pressure and intensity at the barrel races can be crazy,” explains Hall. “It can be so loud in the alleyway that you can’t even hear each other talk. At The American, there’s smoke and fireworks; it’s nerve-racking. There can be a lot of obstacles horses are not used to. It’s important that your horse stays cool, calm, and collected–and Dexter is one that can do that.”

They have also created an alleyway for Dusky Lynn to learn and practice different approaches to the first barrel. Hall says this helps Dusky feel comfortable and confident when she is at the actual competition.

What has been your favorite race/competition and why?

My favorite race is the Christmas in Dixie Race in Jackson, Mississippi, because that’s where I set an arena record, and also The American Contender Finals in Tulsa, Oklahoma. That’s where I made the finals to earn a chance to run for $1 million at The American.

What was going through your mind when you set that record in Tulsa at the Contender Finals and knew you had a shot at The American and $1 million?

I was thanking my Mom, Dad, the Lord, and “Dexter” for doing so good. I’m thankful to my parents and the Lord because they’re the reason I’m able to be in this spot, and Dexter for giving me the chance to do what I can do. My horses and I are a good team. 

Describe your experience at The American Rodeo last year. How close were you to winning that $1 million?

The stadium was very big and loud. I thought it would be smaller, but it was really big, and the barrels had a weird setup; they were more spread out, which made it harder. It really was an experience like no other.

I ran a 15.864, which put me at number nine, and only the top 5 advance to run for the million on Sunday. The cutoff time to advance was 15.634 – 2 tenths of a second. Next time, I’m not going to hope – I’m going to win it.

Do you ever get nervous?

The more competition there is, the more I like it. I don’t get nervous. I am confident in my horses.  It’s just another barrel race. I think my mom gets more nervous than I do.

Are you ever intimidated by all the famous adult barrel racers you are competing against?

 Never, no ma’am. I feel like I am one of them, I don’t get starstruck.

What is the best part about competing?

The best part is winning. I add my winnings up on a calculator and show my dad to see if I made more than he did on his paycheck.

What is your best memory so far from barrel racing?

My best memory so far is when I ran a 13.739 in Jackson, Mississippi at the Christmas in Dixie Race in 2021. That run set the arena record and was the fastest run out of 850 runners that day.  I felt really proud of Choco!  The announcer said, “This might as well be the Dusky Lynn Hall Show”, because I had won Friday night against 650 runners and then set the arena record on Saturday.   

So, what goes through your head right before a run?

That I am going to win it all, and my horses are going to work well.

Do have any traditions or rituals you follow before each race?

I always put a Beamer blanket on my horse, and while I’m waiting in the alleyway, I say a prayer with Mom before I run.

Who is your hero?

I would say futurity trainer Ashley Shafer, because she’s worked with me a lot, and I’ve learned a lot from her. I would also add Stefani Fryer, who runs pro. She rides with me and helps me tune up my horses.

You have already accomplished so much at such a young age. What are your future dreams?

Right now, my ultimate goal is to go back to The American Rodeo in March 2024 and win the $1 million. When I turn 18, I want to go pro and win the PRCA gold buckle for barrel racing at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada. I want to win it the first time I compete at the NFR. I also want to make the cover of Barrel Horse News magazine.

What advice would you give to other girls, or adults for that matter, who want to be as successful as you’ve been in barrel racing?

Well, don’t get nervous, and just go have fun!  No matter what, be happy with your results and work towards a goal to always improve things in the run.

When you’re not in the barn or riding horses, what do you like to do for fun?

I like to ride my Segway. I play with my toy barn horses, go outside to play with my dogs, and swim. My family also goes to the lake when we can, which is fun.

Dusky Lynn has an evident determination and confidence when it comes to competition and being a top barrel racer. In constant full-throttle mode and with what her mom calls a God-given talent, Dusky Lynn is only beginning to make her mark on the barrel racing world.