Liberty Cunningham was born to be a cowgirl. When she became a trick rider at age 8, she was just continuing the family legacy.
Liberty is a 5th-generation rodeo cowgirl. Her family has seen much success in the rodeo arena in the past 100 years. Her distant cousins Malee and Darlene Harding were World Champion trick riders and trick ropers in the 1920-40s. They performed all across North America in major traveling Wild West shows, rodeos, fairs and circuses. Liberty’s grandparents were rodeo competitors and horse trainers. So was her mom. Present day, her older sister Lakin is a World Champion goat tyer and was the College National Finals Rodeo Rookie of the Year. Rodeo and trick riding are in her blood!
Not surprising given the family legacy, Liberty has ridden since she was a baby and began competing in youth rodeos at age 5. Prior to becoming a trick rider, Liberty was a Top 20 barrel racer at the National Little Britches Finals Rodeo and has held several rodeo princess titles.
Liberty has experience in many equine disciplines including several rodeo events, English jumping, reined cow horse, and reining in addition to her performance disciplines of trick riding, Roman riding, liberty horsemanship and bridleless riding. Because of her vast experience, she is a versatile and knowledgeable rider at young age. A true horse whisperer, she develops amazing, heart-felt bonds with the horses she works with.
Liberty started trick riding at age 8 with the same coach that taught PRCA Dress Act of the Year 2020 Award Winner Bethany (Iles) Kiesner. A natural at the sport, Liberty performed in her first show a month later. Since then, Liberty has trained with and worked alongside some of the best in the industry.
After adding more matching paint horses to her herd, Liberty expanded to Roman riding at age 10. She trained her Roman riding horses for this discipline herself and has differentiated herself by incorporating jumps, leaps, handstands, and acro flips atop her team of horses.
Liberty developed this signature Roman riding style through her dance background. Starting at age 3, she trained for more than a decade in jazz, lyrical, ballet, contemporary, hip hop, tap, musical theatre and acro. Liberty won several awards including Prestige Dance National Champion.
At age 9, Liberty was introduced to aerial hammock, silks and lyra. She has since combined those skills to perform unique equestrian aerial arts acts that incorporate her horses and her horsemanship and aerial talents.
Liberty’s newest endeavor is expanding her herd of matching paint horses and colt starting. She has 7 horses which she has trained or is in her training program. She also does lessons to help continue the trick riding legacy.
Liberty is a sophomore in high school where she is in her school’s gifted education program and an Honor Roll student. She has performed in multiple musical theatre productions and enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her animals. Liberty has two older siblings and lives with her mom in eastern Kansas.
Liberty’s horses are special to her. Though it takes extreme skill for Liberty to trick ride, Roman ride, ride bridleless, and do liberty horsemanship, she couldn’t do it without amazing and dependable equine athletes that she trusts. She wouldn’t be where she is today without her four matching paint horses she has as her team.
To continue her legend of performing on matching paint horses, Liberty started her own breeding program to continually have horses in training. Not only does she handle the breeding program, she also is a colt starter and horse trainer for the young horses she raises.
Blair is Liberty’s main horse for trick riding and opening ceremonies. She is 14 years old. Liberty bought her in September 2019 when both were 8 years old. Blair already had training in trick riding when she joined Liberty, but Liberty trained her in Roman riding when Blair was 10. Together, they have performed all over the country and make a dynamic team. Blair has a strong, fast, assertive personality when riding but is always consistent and reliable in performances. She is sassy, sweet, and powerful.
Interesting facts about Blair:
• Blair is “one of the best trick riding horses in the industry right now,” according to the legendary trick rider and Roman rider Dusti Dickerson.
• Blair has been a trick riding horse since she was 5.
• Blair is a descendant of the famous Arabian stallion Cass Ole. Cass Ole was the horse that played “The Black Stallion” in the classic 1970s-80s Black Stallion movies and won several World Titles for western pleasure, English pleasure, side saddle and high point.
• Blair was Liberty’s main Roman riding horse for two years and now is her back up.
• Blair had cancer late 2022. She had a tumor removed, treated and is now cancer free!
• Blair’s size and coloring is what the rest of Liberty’s horses were purchased to match.
What Liberty says about Blair:
“My journey with Blair hasn’t been easy but it’s been amazing. I had to learn to get over being intimidated by her power and personality. I love to trail ride, jump, ride bareback, and read with Blair. She is my heart horse. I couldn’t imagine her with anyone else! We go together like pb & j!”
Cletus is Liberty’s main Roman riding horse and is sometimes used for opening ceremonies. Liberty purchased him in January 2021, envisioning that his matching pattern, coloring, size, and stride would make him an ideal Roman riding partner for Blair. Although Liberty was new to Roman riding, she trained both Cletus and Blair, and the team started performing just a few months later. Cletus has been part of many events and is considered bomb-proof for riding. Since joining Liberty, he has traveled across the country performing.
Interesting facts about Cletus:
• Cletus is an all-around horse with experience in almost everything – hog hunting, trail riding, rodeo pageants, drill team, barrel racing, roping sled, obstacle courses, jumping, and trick riding. Cletus has been used by Liberty’s friends to learn and perform trick riding.
• He is grade and in his upper teens or early 20s.
• He enjoys French fries, potato chips, and baguettes.
• Cletus is Liberty’s only gelding and puts up with all the bossy, moody mares.
• He has two vices: pulling back when tied up and being left alone without his friends.
• Cletus has cancer and has underwent surgeries, laser radiation, and topical chemotherapy. He also has Cushings Disease and is on a daily medication. He handles it all well and is incredibly brave.
What Liberty says about Cletus:
“Cletus has taught me many different things and is my go-to horse anytime I need one that won’t spook, no matter the environment, props, or costume. I love Cletus, and he has found his forever home with me!”
Liberty purchased Elite in August 2022 with the dream of creating a 3-up unicorn team for Roman riding. Liberty trained Elite herself for this discipline and now uses her with Cletus as one of her main Roman riding horses. Elite was a seasoned barrel racing horse prior to coming to Liberty. Liberty not only trained her for Roman riding, she also trained her to jump and currently plays around with her doing bridle less/tack less.
Interesting facts about Elite:
• Elite’s APHA registered name is Elite Factor and she is 11 years old.
• Elite is the lightest colored bay of Liberty’s four paints.
• Liberty and her older sister Lakin have competed and won money running Elite in barrel racing.
• Elite was trained for trick riding by Liberty and is her back up horse for that discipline.
• Elite is very sweet to humans but is the dominant horse and THE BOSS of Liberty’s four paints.
• Elite is the most “spooky” of Liberty’s paints and the most “fancy broke.”
What Liberty says about Elite:
“Elite has a funny personality! She will reach around while you’re riding for assurance, and then bite your toe and turn back around. She’s got so much talent in so many things. I have loved having Elite on my team!”
Liberty purchased 7-year-old Special in August 2023 with the hopes of eventually replacing Cletus when he retires. Liberty easily taught Special to smile on cue and saw her potential as a liberty horse. She was started in liberty training instead. Liberty has taught her how to ride bridleless/tackless, jump, and trick riding. Special is loving, easy going and patient.
Interesting facts about Special:
• Special’s APHA registered name is Shezabeduino Special.
• Special is the tallest of Liberty’s four paints measuring 16 hands.
• Special is the youngest of Liberty’s four paints.
• Special was being seasoned for barrel racing by Liberty’s aunt Jill Herring from ages 3-5.
• Special completely severed her tendon the day after Liberty brought her home. She had a year of stall rest and is now recovered from what could have been a career-ending injury.
• Special is super smart and picked up bridleless/tackless riding, jumping and trick riding very quickly.
What Liberty says about Special:
“Special is super sweet! I fell in love with her the first day I met her. Her puppy-dog personality is enough to make you get immediately attached, but not to mention she is also one of the smartest and most willing horses I have ever worked with. She is for sure ‘Special!’ ”
Mouse came to live at Liberty’s farm in 2024. She is owned by Karla June with KR Horsemanship. Mouse was purchased by Karla when she was a preteen with no horse experience. Karla purchased her for a mere $10 from a Kansas kill pen. Karla trained her and they have performed liberty horse all over the country winning awards and being featured at prestigious events. Karla retired from performing to start a family and is now a successful liberty horse trainer and clinician. She knew of Mouse’s love for performing and Liberty’s interest in learning liberty horsemanship so she generously sent her beloved horse to Liberty.
Interesting facts about Mouse:
• Mouse is grade with an estimated age of 22.
• Mouse is the smallest of Liberty’s horse herd measuring 14.2 hands.
• Mouse has been used for bridleless, Roman riding, trick riding, jumping, liberty horse off another horse and trail riding.
• Mouse has foaled one baby.
• Mouse and Liberty’s love for each other was instant.
• Mouse’s breed is unknown but she is suspected to be an Arabian or Arabian cross.
What Liberty says about Mouse:
“Mouse is such an amazing horse! I met Mouse when I was 8 years old and she introduced me to the art of liberty. I started a free lease of Mouse in April 2024, and she has helped me grow so much as a horsewoman through learning to clearly understand your horse! She is quite ornery but that is what makes her special. I am so excited for our future. Our bond is so strong!”
