The proof of that is displayed on the wall in the family’s living room on a shelf filled with shiny belt buckles. One of a collection of six saddles she’s also won during her career sits on a display rack.

Her latest buckle though, is the pinnacle of her hard work.

It’s wearable proof that she’s the Iowa Rodeo Cowboy Association 2019 Year End Champion and the United Rodeo Association End of the Year Champion.

She earned her goal recently at the URA finals in Topeka, Kansas.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Kaylee Lacina holds a painting on wood done by her friend Chad Demien that shows her and her horse PJ barrel riding at a rodeo. Behind her are some of the many buckles she’s won in her career.

“Barrel racing is my sport for sure,” she said. “I love competing with my horse, PJ. I love going out to do my best every single time we enter the arena.”

Lacina has always loved horses, she said. She started riding in 2010 and got interested in barrel racing.

“I asked my dad,” she said. “Can I try that? He said for sure.”

She competed in her first rodeo in 2011.

“I got a no time,” she said. “The horse I was riding was a little high strung. When I went to turn, he went straight. I was very upset.”

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Kaylee Lacina walks with her horse PJ at the family farm in rural Webster County. The pair have won many barrel racing events together.

Her second time out, she did a lot better.

“I was on a more calm horse,” she said.

She keeps track of her winnings, place earned and other information in several notebooks. One year alone fills five pages.

She’s grateful for her family’s support.

Her dad, Alan John Lacina, is proud of her accomplishments.

“Oh yeah,” he said.

He’s not only been her coach, moral support and biggest fan, he’s also let her borrow his truck to pull the 40-foot trailer she takes to rodeos.

“We turned her loose this year,” he said.

He believes that rodeo has taught her many important and valuable life lessons.

“There’s a lot of responsibility,” he said. “There’s an animal to take care of, that’s Kaylee’s deal. I’ll help you but the horses eat and drink before she does.”

She agrees.

“It has taught me a lot of responsibility,” she said. “A lot of hard work and dedication.”

He takes it in with pride.

‘I don’t breathe when when she gets ready to run,” he said. “I’m a very proud dad, very happy. My daughter is out there doing something fun. She can do this as long as she wants to. She can only get better.”

The secret to rodeo success?

“Lots of time in the arena,” she said. “I tried to get perfection. I’ve fallen off, I get back up, get back on my horse. When I go into a new season I always set a goal for myself. In 2019 it was work hard and I’m going to win at the end of the year.”

She has several goals for the future.

One is to make it to the National Finals Rodeo. She also wants to get her World Professional Association permit and continue barrel racing in college.