When Box Elder, South Dakota, native McKenzie Jendersee purchased Share The Fame as a weanling in 2015, she knew the little chestnut filly was special. Smart, athletic and driven, the daughter of Lions Share Of Fame had a work ethic that was second to none and a heart for whatever job was at hand. She was easy, picked up on things quickly and always gave 110%. Started as a 2-year-old in Jendersee’s training program, she was on track to compete as a 5-year-old futurity horse until problems with her teeth forced a slowdown.
“She had four caps on her teeth one year, and that really set us back,” Jendersee explained. “Then she had another tooth issue, and I couldn’t put a bit in her mouth. We didn’t get to have the futurity year I was hoping for, but I wasn’t going to push it and make her uncomfortable. I knew she was one I was going to want in my program for a long time, so we just took it slow.”
It’s often said that slow is fast in barrel racing, and that has certainly proven true for Jendersee and “Zira” — the duo may have taken the long, slow road to success, but they are quickly finding their stride.
“This year, we started hauling to some rodeos and she is really coming into herself,” Jendersee shared. “She just placed third at the South Dakota Rodeo Association rodeo in Faith, South Dakota, and would have been eighth at the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeo in Rapid City, South Dakota, but I barely caught the first barrel leaving it.”
Fresh off their recent rodeo success, Jendersee and Zira set their sights on Today’s Horse West Fest Barrel Race in Rapid City, South Dakota, from September 22–25. It did not disappoint. The pair made a clean sweep in the Derby, turning in a 16.237 and a 16.501, respectively, to win both rounds and the average. They also dominated in the Open, placing first and third in the go-rounds and clinching a second average win. And just for good measure, they topped the weekend off with a solid finish in the slot race, coming in second behind Molly Otto’s standout Wrangler National Finals Rodeo mount Teasin Dat Guy. All totaled, the pair’s weekend earnings stacked up to $8,127.
For Jendersee, the long-awaited success only solidifies what she has known in her heart all along.
“When I walked out of the arena after my run in the first go of the Derby and they announced my time, tears flooded my eyes,” Jendersee confessed. “I couldn’t have been more excited. I’ve always known this horse is something special, but it’s amazing having everyone else see how special she is too. I give her full credit. I wouldn’t be here without her.”
Jendersee thanks her sponsors Equine Natural Care, Equine Herb Connection, Roasted to Perfection and Robbie Phillips Saddlery.
Today’s Horse West Fest Barrel Race Open Average Results
- 1D—McKenzie Jendersee on Share The Fame, (16.327, 16.501), 32.828
- 2D—Kari Addison on Enlightening Vision, (16.959, 16.872), 33.831
- 3D—Rayel Livermont on Ali Especial (17.708, 17.127), 34.835
- 4D—Twyla Chapman on BS Royal Jewel Flash (17.709, 18.129), 35.838
- 5D—Mikah Schock on Heza Hayabusa (18.542, 18.292), 36.834
For complete results, visit todayshorse.net/west-fest/.
