Wolf vying for pro rodeo career

Published Thursday, January 17, 2008

By Denny Deady

Andrea Wolf was three-years-old when she rode her first horse. She didn't ride far that day, just as far as her mom's pocket change would take her. Whether that mechanical horse in front of Wal-Mart inspired her to a lifelong love of horses is unknown, but even now at 31, Andrea still centers her life around horses.

She is a member of the Professional Women's Barrel Racing Association and her goal for 2008 is to qualify for the Texas Circuit Finals and the Heartland Tour Finals.

"The goal of most competitors is to make the National Finals Rodeo but my goal is to make the Texas Circuit Finals," she said. "I'll go to as many rodeos as I can. Eighty is the limit and most of the finalists make 50 to 60."

The circuit finals is a more realistic goal for Wolf, who has a family and a fulltime job.

"My husband, Steve, is real supportive of me and what I'm doing," she said. "I also have an understanding boss."

A graduate of Austin Community College, Wolf is a physical therapy assistant at Wise Regional Health System in Decatur. She works in aquatic and outpatient therapy and also does home health. She and Steve live in Decatur.

Wolf learned to ride from her mother, Janet Rowe, who now lives in Kentucky.

"I took dressage and jumping lessons and as I got older, I wanted to do speed events," said Wolf. "I was on the Bowie High School rodeo team and made the North Texas High School Rodeo Association finals in 1993 and '94. I also made the state finals in cutting one year."

Last May, Wolf bought her Professional Women's Barrel Racing Association permit. In July, she headed for Kansas and won more than half the amount needed to fulfill the permit and completed permit qualifications by winning the Mesquite Championship Rodeo later that summer. The 2007 pro rodeo season ended Sept. 30, with the exception of the Texas Stampede in Dallas.

"I was blessed with a good start for the 2008 season by placing at Marble Falls, Pasadena, Bellville and Sequin," she said. Those finishes put her 13th in the overall standings.

The new year started in Odessa, followed by Denver and Fort Worth.

Wolf calls her horse, Sunday, "amazing."

"She was a futurity horse and several years ago, she suffered a hoof injury and I was told that I would never ride her again," Wolf continued.

Wolf stayed off her for two years but was back competing on her again after a vet in Kentucky solved her problem.

"Now we are competing at the pro level and winning money to boot," said Wolf. "This just shows you what a little hard work and lots of prayers can do. I thank God every time I climb on Sunday's back that she is healed.

"She tries to do everything you ask of her and she is easy to train."

In addition to a good horse, Wolf is also thankful for an outstanding sponsor, Karl Klement Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep in Decatur.

"I am honored to have a wonderful sponsor like Karl Klement Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep," said Wolf. "Karl Klement has given me a four-wheel drive dually truck to drive. I appreciate him giving me the opportunity to compete.

"I consider myself blessed every day that I can wake up and be able to participate in a sport like rodeo."