On September 25, 2015 a new world record on a standard pattern was set and it belongs to the team of Brittany Pozzi and Kisskiss Bangbang. Pozzi rode “Mona” to a scalding 16.479 in Loveland, Colorado at the Mile Hi Barrel Horse Association Show Down in the Tough As Steel slot race.
“It’s pretty special, because setting that world record I don’t feel like it’s something that is going to be easily attainable,” Pozzi said. “It would be cool to hold that title for a while. Records were made to be broken, but it’s special to have that on your resume, especially for my horse. I always knew she was capable of something like that, but it’s nice for the world to see.”
Pozzi and Mona had made a run prior to the slot race and turned in a rapid 16.706, and Pozzi admits she had a moment of doubt about their next run.
“I ran [Mona] in the jackpot and I ran a 16.7, and I was like ‘Dang, I wasted my run — I should have waited and run her int he slot race,” Pozzi said with a laugh. “But, the reason I ran her is because she usually runs harder the second run.”
When it came time to fire down the alley for the slot race, Pozzi’s initial judgements proved accurate as Mona turned in the monumental record breaker.
“I had no idea she ran that good. She kind of floats around the turns — it’s a cool feeling, but it doesn’t feel super fast or quick, it’s just really smooth. So, it’s a little bit hard to tell how fast she’s going.
“I bumped the first barrel,” Pozzi continued as she explained she might have asked her mare to run just a touch too soon. “Her nose hit the first and I thought ‘Dang it, I messed up.’ It stayed up luckily, but at first I thought I messed up big time.”
When the announcer’s voice rang clear stating the dynamic duo’s time was a 16.479 Pozzi knew she had a phenomenal run, however she hadn’t yet realized she’d broken the world record. Even after Pozzi’s friends had consulted the internet, it wasn’t until the pattern was measured and officially confirmed by Women’s Professional Rodeo Association Mountain States circuit director that the two-time world champion finally realized she’d just earned herself a spot in the record books.
“Of course I was ecstatic,” Pozzi said of her and Mona’s run, but she still had her doubts. “I said, ‘There’s no way that’s a standard pattern.’ So I doubted it the whole time, but then when they measured it and gave me the thumbs up I was like ‘Holy smokes, that just happened!'”
Kisskiss Bangbang is the 5-year-old daughter of Dash Ta Fame out of CD Nick Bar, who’s by Dr Nick Bar and as with many of Pozzi’s mounts was bred and raised on her ranch in Victoria, Texas before being started as a 2-year-old in Florida under Paul Bass, after which time Pozzi took full control.
“We definitely had some struggles,” Pozzi said. “It’s been a little bit of a love-hate relationship… These last couple of months she’s just been so honest and wanting to be consistent. I’m really starting to love that about her. She’s shown me a little glimpse of hope along the way. I ran her in Calgary as a 4-year-old and rodeos and ground have never bothered her, she’s stayed really sound. If I can keep it all together and she can keep it together I think she’ll be a great rodeo horse.”
Still living on her adrenaline high from earning the coveted world record, Pozzi hasn’t lost focus on the future. The Texas cowgirl has big plans for the sorrel mare, and the duo have a full calendar ahead of them. Incidentally, they qualified for RFD-TV’s The American semifinals while in Loveland.
Pozzi had a list of supporters to thank for not only Mona’s success, but for herself personally. She thanked Roper Apparel, Purina, Professional’s Choice, Double J Saddlery, OxyGen and Dr. Marty Tanner at Elgin Veterinary Hospital.
As icing on the cake for Pozzi’s recent celebrations, she and Garrett Tonozzi will be married October 31, 2015 in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
