Born: 1955 (Dayton, Ohio)
Kristie Peterson (born October 10, 1955) is a ProRodeo Hall of Fame barrel racer. She was inducted into the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame in 2020.
Life
Kristie Peterson was born on October 10, 1955, in Dayton, Ohio. She grew up on a ranch near Parker, Colorado, where she and her brother, Scott, developed a passion for rodeo. Peterson started her rodeo career in the National Little Britches Rodeo Association and participated in various events before eventually focusing on barrel racing.
Career
Kristie Peterson is not only a highly accomplished barrel racer but also a four-time World Barrel Racing Champion. She achieved this prestigious title by winning the championship at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas, Nevada in December 1994, 1996, 1997, and 1998. Notably, Peterson’s first world title in 1994 ended the ten-year reign of hall of fame barrel racer Charmayne James.
In 1995, Peterson came in second before securing three consecutive titles in 1996, 1997, and 1998. Her partnership with her horse Bozo proved to be a winning combination. Peterson and Bozo were named the reserve champion at the NFR three times, in 1993, 1995, and 1999. They also earned five consecutive NFR Average titles from 1994 to 1998.
Peterson and Bozo’s success extended beyond the NFR. They won four Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo titles in 1992, 1994, 1995, and 1998. Additionally, Peterson and Bozo emerged victorious in numerous major rodeos across the country, particularly near their hometown in Colorado and Wyoming.
During the 1996 and 1997 NFR, Peterson demonstrated her exceptional skill and consistency by placing in 20 consecutive rounds on Bozo, an unprecedented achievement at the time. This remarkable streak solidified her status as one of the greatest barrel racers in rodeo history.
Both Peterson and Bozo’s contributions to the sport were recognized with induction into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. Bozo, registered as French Flash Hawk, received further accolades, including five AQHA/WPRA Horse of the Year awards from 1995 to 1999. He was also voted the Horse with the Most Heart four times from 1995 to 1998.
Awards:
– Inducted into the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame in 2020
– Inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame
– Four-time World Barrel Racing Champion (1994, 1996, 1997, 1998)
– Winner of the Hazel Turner Sportsmanship Award
– Five consecutive NFR Average titles (1994-1998)
– Four-time reserve champion at the NFR (1993, 1995, 1999)
– Four-time winner of the AQHA/WPRA Horse of the Year award (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998)
– Four-time recipient of the Horse with the Most Heart award (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998)