Gravel crunches under her horses’ hooves and lights shine onto freshman Gianna Joyce as she spins around the second barrel and races to the finish line, a look of determination on her face and cheers erupting from the crowd. Joyce has been barrel racing for around ten years after she learned about the sport when her dad took her to see a rodeo when she was three years old.  Her first rodeo was in 2022, but her first barrel race was in 2019.

Joyce takes lessons in Ramona with coach Jamie Harris and her friend freshman Elizabeth Kurtenbach. 

Kurtenbach enjoys barrel racing alongside Joyce.  “I love Gianna, she’s so fun and I love working together,” Kurtenbach said. 

They ride and race together and compete in the same leagues. Barrel racing creates various opportunities for riders, the prizes can range from money to awards or trips and recognition. 

Kurtenbach likes the money she has earned from barrel racing. She recently earned $600 and has had many travel opportunities within her sport including a recent trip to Texas. Peyton Giampetro, another active rider in Poway, says Gianna and Elizabeth are both incredibly talented riders.

“Horseback riding is a very fun sport that teaches you a lot of good life components and how to handle hard situations easier,” Giampetro said. 

Joyce enjoys barrel racing because she loves the community and the friends she has made along the way, along with the adrenaline rush she feels while doing it. Her love for the sport is so strong, that she feels it is her calling in life. 

Joyce owns three quarter horses: Pocket, Cupcake, and Louie.  Pocket is her favorite and the one she rides the most. Joyce has competed in multiple rodeos, including the Poway Rodeo for the last three years, but she will not compete there this year since her coach is out of town. Hopefully, next year, we can look forward to seeing her in action again.