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A Barrel of Heart

Wednesday | January 25, 2023
All News

Elle Jolley, FreeState’s purchasing coordinator, has never known a life without horses. However, the connection she has made with her barrel horse runs deeper than just racing.

“I started barrel racing on my pony,” she said. “Now I have two horses: Mandy and Ash. They’re my barrel horses and Ash was born at my house by my very first horse.”

Once Ash was old enough, Elle trained him to barrel race. This built an unbreakable bond and is proving them to be an unstoppable team at competitions.

“We definitely have a connection,” she said. “I’m so close to him, so sometimes we butt heads. I did not think he would be a barrel horse, but he has caught on really well.”

The duo runs in National Barrel Horse Association races with 50 to 100 other racers. At the end of the year all districts come together at the state barrel race with more than 500 competitors. Elle has competed for years, but the largest competition was in Oklahoma City.

“The biggest race I’ve ever competed in was the Better Barrel Races World Finals.” Elle said. “There were probably over 1,500 people competing.”

Racers are given a number representing the race order and can warm up in designated arenas while they wait to compete. The waiting can be tough on the nerves, but with Ash under saddle, it helps calm Elle before the run.

“It can be hard to know how fast each race is being run,” she said. “So, it can be stressful but it’s an adrenaline rush that gets your blood pumping.”

Elle has a dedicated support system cheering her on at races, but also values the lifelong friendships she has built over the years and the memories shared at races.

“When my group of friends and I go to weekend competitions, we usually have breakfast together each morning,” Elle said. “It makes barrel racing so much more enjoyable having that family aspect.”  

At last year’s State Finals, Elle and Ash took home three buckles in one weekend- the most she had ever won. The pair plan to compete together for the foreseeable future, as long as they can.

“The only horse I’ve ever trained to race is Ash,” she said. “Barrel racing typically starts back up in May, so he needs the winter to rest and be ready for the next season.”

Although Elle always sees herself owning horses or having them in her life, her connection with her barrel racing buddy, Ash, will forever hold a special place in her heart.

Elle

Story by Tory Blosser, communications intern

Photos courtesy of Elle Jolley

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McLouth Office
507 N. Union
PO Box 70
McLouth, KS 66054

Topeka Office
1100 SW Auburn Rd. 
Topeka, KS 66615

Toll-Free:800-794-1989

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With 14,974 members and 20,551 service points FreeState Electric Cooperative is the largest rural electric cooperative in Eastern Kansas and the fifth largest rural electric cooperative in the state of Kansas. FreeState serves nine Kansas counties and provides distribution infrastructure to Fort Leavenworth. 

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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Board of Trustees
    • Cooperative Leadership
    • Powering Fort Leavenworth
    • Cooperative Transparency
    • About Touchstone Energy
  • Contact Us
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Media Inquiries
    • Submit Feedback
    • New Construction
    • Ask Matt
    • What is my district?
  • Member Services
    • Apply for Service
    • Payment Options
      • Understanding Your Bill
      • Payment Assistance
      • Pay Cash
      • Pay Now!
    • Capital Credits
    • Your Service
      • Security Options
      • Tree-Trimming
      • High Bill Concern
    • Member Programs
      • Attic Report Card
      • Medical Necessity Notification
      • Time of Use
    • Charges and Fees
    • Member Guide
    • Rebates
  • Outage Center
    • Outage Map
    • Preparing For Planned Outages
    • Social Feeds
    • Storm Updates
  • Communications
    • Connect With Us!
    • Energy Solutions Articles
    • Kansas Country Living
    • The Signal
  • Community Development
    • Co-op's Vote
    • CoBank Sharing Success
    • Local Sponsorships
    • Operation Round-Up
    • Youth Programs
    • FreeState Business Directory
  • Safety
    • Agriculture Safety
    • Emergency Preparedness
    • Generator Safety
    • Meter Access
    • Power Line Safety
    • Prepare for Winter Outages
    • Safety Checklist
    • Safety Demonstrations
    • Ten Tips To Avoid Scams
  • Co-op FAQ
  • SmartHub Mobile
    • Using SmartHub
  • Annual Meeting
    • Annual Report
    • Trustee Application
  • Crew at the Zoo
  • ESC Adjustment
  • Solar/EVs
    • All About EVs
    • Renewable Energy