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Liberty Cunningham dreamed of being a professional trick rider since she was a toddler. At just 12-years-old, that dream became a reality.
Horses were not new to Liberty when she began trick riding. She is a 3rd-generation rodeo cowgirl and comes from a competitive rodeo family known for training quality barrel racing horses. Her older sister Lakin is a World Champion goat tyer and was the CNFR Rookie of the Year.
Liberty has ridden since she was a baby and began competing in youth rodeos at age 5. She was a Top 20 barrel racer at the National Little Britches Finals Rodeo in 2020 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. Her newest equine endeavor is dabbling in bridleless and liberty work. 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 Cunningham has dreamed of being a professional trick rider since a toddler. Now, at just 12-years-old, that dream is reality.
Horses were not new to Liberty when she began trick riding. She is a 3rd-generation rodeo cowgirl and comes from a competitive rodeo family known for training quality barrel racing horses. Her older sister Lakin is a World Champion goat tyer and was the CNFR Rookie of the Year.
Liberty has ridden since she was a baby and began competing in youth rodeos at age 5. She was a Top 20 barrel racer at the National Little Britches Finals Rodeo in 2020 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. Her newest equine endeavor is dabbling in bridleless and liberty work. Because of her vast experience, she is a versatile and knowledgeable rider for her young age. A true horse whisperer, she develops amazing, heart-felt bonds with the horses she works with.
Liberty’s dream to become a trick rider became reality at age 8. She has trained with some of the best in the industry. Her long-time coach Jennifer Gatrel taught PRCA Dress Act of the Year 2020 Award Winner Bethany (Iles) Kiesner for 10 years. Bethany is who inspired Liberty to become a trick rider. After seeing her perform multiple times, Liberty started training with the same coach and performed in her first show just a month later.
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. Since age 3, she has trained in jazz, lyrical, ballet, contemporary, hip hop, tap, musical theatre and acro. She’s won several awards including 2021 Prestige Dance National Champion. At age 9, she was introduced to aerial hammock and at age 11, aerial silks.
Liberty goes to public school where she is in her school’s gifted education program. She enjoys reading, singing in her school’s Advanced Choir, and playing with her dog and cat. Liberty lives with her mom and older siblings Lakin and Lane in eastern Kansas where they raise horses, cattle and goats.
Liberty’s dream to become a trick rider became reality at age 8. She has trained with some of the best in the industry. Her long-time coach Jennifer Gatrel taught PRCA Dress Act of the Year 2020 Award Winner Bethany (Iles) Kiesner for 10 years. Bethany is who inspired Liberty to become a trick rider. After seeing her perform multiple times, Liberty started training with the same coach and performed in her first show just a month later.
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. Since age 3, she has trained in jazz, lyrical, ballet, contemporary, hip hop, tap, musical theatre and acro. She’s won several awards including 2021 Prestige Dance National Champion. At age 9, she was introduced to aerial hammock and at age 11, aerial silks.
Liberty is in public school where she is in her school’s gifted education program. She enjoys reading, singing in her school’s Advanced Choir, and playing with her dog and cat. Liberty lives with her mom and older siblings Lakin and Lane in eastern Kansas where they raise horses, cattle and goats.
Liberty’s horses are special to her. Though it takes extreme skill for Liberty to trick ride and Roman ride, 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.
Meet Blair:
Blair is Liberty’s main trick riding and Roman riding horse. She is a 12-year-old Paint mare that Liberty purchased in September 2019 when both rider and horse were 8 years old. At 10-years-old, Liberty purchased a second horse that looks like Blair and she self-trained both horses for Roman riding. Liberty has used Blair for trick riding all over the country. They are a dynamic team to watch. Blair has a very strong, fast, on-the-muscle personality when riding but is always consistent and reliable when she performs. Blair is sassy, sweet and powerful!
Interesting facts about Blair:
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. In addition to trick riding and Roman riding, I love to trail ride, jump, ride bareback, and read with Blair. She is my heart horse and I couldn’t imagine her with anyone else! We go together like pb & j!”
Meet Cletus:
Cletus is Liberty’s main Roman riding horse and often used for opening ceremonies. Liberty purchased Cletus in January 2021 with the dream that his matching pattern, coloring, size and stride would make him a perfect Roman riding partner for Blair. She was right! Liberty, though a beginner, completely trained Cletus and Blair for Roman riding herself and she and the team started performing just a few short months later. Cletus has been used in many different events and is basically bomb proof for riding. Since coming to Liberty, he has traveled all around the country performing.
Interesting facts about Cletus:
• Cletus is an all around horse, and has done almost everything – hog hunting, trail riding, rodeo pageants, drill team, barrel racing, roping sled, jumping and trick riding.
• Cletus is grade and his age is in the upper teens.
• Cletus likes French fries and potato chips.
• Cletus is Liberty’s only gelding and tolerates all the bossy, moody mares.
• Cletus has two vices – pulling back when tied up and being left alone without his friends.
• Cletus had a cancer in 2022. He had surgery, laser radiation treatments and topical chemotherapy. He did great with treatment and was such a trooper.
What Liberty says about Cletus:
“Although I’ve had some big falls off Cletus while Roman riding, but I have never totally lost my confidence on him. He 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!”
Meet Elite:
Liberty purchased Elite, also known as “E,” 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 to perform a 2-up Roman riding act. Liberty is also training Elite for trick riding. Elite was a seasoned barrel racing horse prior to coming to Liberty. Liberty not only trained her for Roman riding, but she also trained her to jump and is currently working with her to learn bridle less/tack less.
Interesting facts about Elite:
• Elite’s APHA registered name is Elite Factor and she is 9 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 is very fast during trick riding and Liberty predicts she’ll someday be her main trick riding horse.
• 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.”
• Elite has jumped up to 2′ 3’ with scope for more.
• Elite has done basic liberty with Liberty and did very well.
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. Since getting Elite, I have been working hard getting her used to different things, like jumping, riding on the road, flags, and much more. She’s got so much talent in so many things. I have loved having Elite on my team and am excited to see her future!”
Meet Special:
Liberty purchased 5-year-old Special in August 2023 with the hopes of having a 4-up Roman riding team and another trick riding horse as Special is young and could give Liberty many years. Special is recovering from a major injury but on the road to recovery. In the meantime, Liberty has started to teach Special some liberty tricks. She has a big personality and loves to smile and will do so on cue! Special is loving, easy going and patient.
Interesting facts about Special:
What Liberty says about Special:
“Special is super sweet! I fell in love with her the first day I met her! I can’t wait until I can ride her again. All I know is that before I swing my leg over Special again after all this stall rest, she’s going to need some lunging first. Big thank you to my sponsor, Steel Horse Formulations, for keeping Special feeling good while she recovers!”