Easy, Peasy, Texas Breezy: Marie Ivey

If you live in another state and visit Texas, you'll get it. The Texans have it, but don't know it. There's an ease and comfort there that's hard to explain without experiencing it firsthand, but once you have, you'll never forget. I feel I've carried a little piece of Texas with me forever. I remember the breeze, the smell of grass in the rolling hills, the dust, the heat, and that perfect cold beer under the stars on a hot summer night.

Texas is cowboys and cowgirls, cattle and horses. It's big trucks, endless barbecue, good music and margaritas. It's one of my favorite places, and some of my favorite people.

I think everyone in Texas knows how to rope. Marie does.

One of my favorite people that is Texas through-and-through is Marie Ivey, and in that offhanded, casual, Texas sort of way, she's good at a lot of things.

Marie ropes. I can't. Marie barrel races. I don't. Marie is a beader. I'm not.

Don't rub it in, Marie. We know you can rope.

And it seems whatever Marie puts her mind to, she excels. Marie wanted to be a champion barrel racer, and she is. Marie wanted to be a champion pole bender, and she is. Marie took a stab at stake racing, and another world champion title. Remarkably, she accomplished this all on a horse she trained and maintains herself, 2004 APHA gelding Shastas Colonel Moka "Moks."

Marie's first trip to the 2009 APHA World Championship Show took her to Top 5 in SBP (Solid Paint Bred) Barrel Racing and Reserve World Champion Stake Race. Pretty respectable, but she wasn't satisfied.

2009 APHA SPB Reserve World Champion Stake Race, Top 5 Barrel Racing

She returned to the APHA World Show in 2010 with her game face on. She came home with her second Top 5 in Barrel Racing, her second Reserve World Champion Stake Race, and a bonus Reserve World Champion Pole Bending title.

2010 APHA SPB Top 5 Barrel Racing, Reserve World Champion Pole Bending, Reserve World Champion Stakes Race

Marie and Moks made their third APHA World Show appearance in 2011, culminating in 3 world championships. She broke her previous Top 5 wins in barrels, becoming that year's World Champion. She also lost her bridesmaid status, and went from former Reserve World Champion to World Champion in not only Stakes Race, but Pole Bending.

2011 APHA SPB World Champion Barrel Racing, Pole Bending and Stakes Race. Three jackets, 3 buckles, 3 World Champion ribbons.

2011 APHA SPB Barrel Racing World Champion. Their photo was featured in the Paint Horse Journal.

After three trips to the APHA World Show, and reaching some pretty lofty goals she set for herself, Marie settled back to country life back home in Texas. She roped, ran barrels and poles, kept her horse tuned at home, and held down a very responsible full time job. That seems to be the story with some many top non-pro riders, and their dedication amazes me. They want it, and they make it happen, no matter what. In Texas, that's just how it's done. "It's no big thing," they'd drawl, if you got any response beyond a simple shrug.

Both tack snobs, Marie and I have dedicated countless email convos discussing saddles, tack deals, and trading photos of custom tack like baseball cards. I was cheering on the sidelines when Marie ordered her custom Martin Cervi Crown C, while she's been the constant bad influence every girl needs, encouraging me to grow my tack herd.

I don't remember exactly how it came about, but one day Marie decided she wanted a custom beaded headstall. Me, being that enabling devil on her shoulder, told her to buy one. Back and forth, back and forth, she couldn't make up her mind what she wanted. She liked a certain one, but wanted it a little different, and then another, but still different, and concluded no headstall we saw really fit the bill.

"I'm going to make one," she said.

"What? I didn't know you knew how to bead."

"I don't. I mean, I can loom bead, but not peyote." Heck, that was a revelation, because I didn't even know she could loom bead. I thought peyote was something you smoked to find your spirit animal.

"How are you going to make it if you don't know how?" I puzzled.

"I'll learn. I can do this."

Next thing I knew, she was sending me sample beading patterns, asking my opinion. Shortly after that, she was beading. Yes, just like that. One day she's telling me she didn't know how, and next thing I know, she's sending me photos of her beadwork. Just like she decided to become a champion barrel racer, just like she decided to be a champion pole bender and stake racer, Marie became an ace beader.

Peyote beaded headstall and matching buckaroo spur straps. Seriously, is there anything this girl can't do if she sets her mind to it?

She beaded headstalls. She beaded sandals. She beaded spur straps, breast collars, hatbands, over-and-unders - you name it - she was beading it, and every piece was beautiful.

 Once people saw Marie's beading, the custom orders started coming.

Custom headstall and matching breast collar in peyote beading style.

Custom beaded over-and-unders, for club awards.

Naturally, I had to have one too. I had a custom cinch I wanted to match, told her the colors I wanted, and a couple weeks later I got a gorgeous piece in the mail I treasure to this day.

No surprise the custom headstall Marie made for me is a beautiful combination of browns and autumn colors; the perfect complement to a custom cinch.

As a non-pro rider myself, I find Marie's accomplishments inspiring. As a fellow crafter, I can't help but admire the skill she's acquired as a beader. One of those feats alone is difficult, but both? Pretty incredible.

I asked Marie what makes this well-oiled machine keep running.

Riding

Tell me about your first "good" horse - what kind of a critter was he?
Fols Easter Knight "Buzzer" was way more horse than I needed at the time. He forced me out of my comfort zone and made me "ride up" to his level. He taught me a lot about horsemanship, yet remained patient with my inabilities at the time. He was my unicorn.

What background did you have as a rider to take a greenbroke horse to serious gaming competitor, without a trainer?
Determination. And knowing I have lots of accomplished friends I can call to pick their brain if there is a problem.

How did you get your horse seasoned before your first APHA World Show in 2009? Did you feel ready?
This was my first time at the big show, of course I was nervous! But, I really didn't practice any differently for this. I worked Shastas Colonel Moka the way I would any horse getting ready for an event - slow work and making sure he was responsive to what I was asking. One day, I may only school for 20 minutes, the next may be an hour - depending on what he needed at the time - but I always end on a good note. I try to have one goal in mind with each practice - and I video myself so I can make improvements. I have always sized up my competition. When the entries were posted, I started studying. I ended up working more on myself than my horse.

How different was your horse and riding from the first show, to the show two years later where you won three world championships?
I feel he was more relaxed, as was I. We knew what to expect, so the stress level was lower.

Do you think you'll try to compete at the world show level again?
Absolutely! Working towards this now!

As a non-pro with your horse at home, what is your biggest challenge to keeping him tuned?
I don't have an arena, so if I need to judge where we're at with more speed, I have to trailer somewhere. I do all of my slow work at home. If you can do it right slow, you should be able to do it right fast.

You got a new horse just last year. What is she, where is she right now in her training, and what plans do you have for her?
Lil Ms Tatted Socks is a Colonel Freckles mare by Colonel Tattoo. She is related to my 3x WC, Shastas Colonel Moka. She has a good head on her, as do all Colonel babies I've owed - which is half the battle. She currently has about 120 solid days. I plan on doing everything I can with her. Cattle work, barrels, poles, you name it. Right now my goal is back to APHA World in 2020.

I know Sherry Cervi is someone you really admire. Why?
First and foremost, she is quiet in the saddle. You barely see her move or cue her horse. That's what I strive for - my horse wanting to do his job with little encouragement from me.

As a fumble fingers myself, I have to ask: How old you were when you learned to rope?
I was a late bloomer - started roping in my mid-20s. I gathered up all the birthday money I had received and spent it all on roping lessons with Tee Woolman.

What do you like best about roping? Any roping idols?
I have always loved cattle, so it seemed like a natural thing for me to do. Tee Woolman and Tyler Magnus have helped my roping and horsemanship tremendously.

Have you thought about any other sport disciplines, like cutting or reining?
Yes. I love the action of cutting and the refinement of reining. I've played with both, but never competed.

Somehow, I don't see you as a slow loper. Ever thought about western pleasure, or even English?
No. Not my thing.

Fashion

You exude Texas style. When you're competing where it counts, what's your typical wardrobe?
In competition, I typically have on a Scully shirt, mostly Wrangler jeans, Lucchese boots and my Shorty's Caboy hat.

Favorite jeans, favorite boots?
Jeans - whatever fits. My favorite competition boots are definitely Lucchese. I have Tony Lama's that I love too, but don't compete in those.

Equipment

What's your favorite roping saddle, barrel saddle, and everyday saddle?
I have an original Dale Martin roping saddle that will die at my house. My barrel saddle is a Cervi Crown C Martin. In fact, all I have are Martins. I have ridden several different brand saddles, but always gravitate back to Martin.

Is your bit custom? What is it, and who made it?
No custom bit. Yet. My spurs are custom and were a gift from Tyler & Knel Magnus.

What's your horse's protective leg gear?
I prefer Iconoclast leg gear because they fit better and last longer than other brands I've used in the past. I also use MagnaCu products because of the benefit of copper.

Any tack you have your eye on, on your wish list?
I'm kind of a traditionalist when it comes to tack. I do love some buckstitch and a good set of split reins.

Beading

What's your favorite part about beading?
The "zone out" aspect. It helps me decompress and relax.

Do you have a favorite piece you've done so far?
I absolutely love the beaded headstall and breast collar I made for Ronda Lunsford. She allowed me creative freedom and it turned out gorgeous.

Any super-challenging beading project you'd like to tackle, but haven't yet?
I want to create a beaded guitar strap!

Texas

What's your favorite authentic Texas-style food - something that just screams Texas?
I love ribeye and a baked 'tater. That is my all time favorite thing. I love Whataburger. Then there's Cooper's BBQ in Llano, Texas. Their pork chops will make you slap yo'self. I love some good ribs too, but you can't be from Texas without also loving authentic Mexican food.

Your favorite liquid food group: Beer, hard liquor, or wine?
Crown Royal, first. Beer, second. Not a fan of wine, but I'll drink it, LOL. Oh, and sweet tea!

Would you, could you, ever leave Texas?
For a vacation? Yes. For a permanent move? No. My roots run deep.

Marie Ivey: Texas through-and-through.

For custom beading inquiries, please contact Marie via her Facebook page, Cowgirl Cartel.

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