Lisa Lockhart: Horses, Hard Work, and Heart
Photo by Kaycie Timm
Lisa Lockhart has spent a lifetime doing what she loves most: working with horses. With 19 National Finals Rodeo qualifications and more than $3.7 million in career earnings, she’s become one of the most respected names in barrel racing. But behind the numbers is a story built on faith, family, and a lifelong passion for the Western way of life.
Horse-crazy dreams
“I’ve just been a horse-crazy little girl my entire life,” Lisa says. “To me, it’s always been about the horses.”
That love shaped everything, from her childhood in South Dakota to her career as one of the most consistent competitors in barrel racing history. She was a natural athlete, competing in sports throughout school and college rodeo, but horses were always at the heart of it.
“I think the love of horses has been crucial in putting me where I am today,” she shares. “I’ve always been competitive by nature, but getting to engage with these horses and work hard at what we do made this life so rewarding.”
the juggling act
After earning her degree in elementary education, Lisa taught school for a time before realizing her true calling wasn’t in the classroom—it was in the arena. She and her husband, Grady, started a small cattle operation and began training horses together.
“He was training calf horses, and I was training barrel horses,” Lisa explains. “We were both rodeoing, and then we started adding the family to it.”
Photo by Kaycie Timm
When their children were young, the Lockharts hit the road as a family. But as the kids got older, juggling rodeo life and family life became more complex. Lisa credits her husband for being the driving force that helped her take her career to the next level.
“In 2007, Grady said, ‘This year you’re going to go harder and try to make the NFR.’ I told him, ‘Yeah, right.’” Lisa laughs. “But he believed in me before I did, and that belief made all the difference.”
That year marked her first trip to the National Finals Rodeo, and nearly two decades later, Lisa is preparing for her 19th qualification, a remarkable achievement in any sport.
Lessons from the Road
Nineteen seasons at the top of pro rodeo aren’t the result of luck. They happen through grit, discipline, and more miles than most people can imagine. Lisa estimates she’s logged nearly 50,000 miles on the road during the 2025 season alone.
“I’ve learned to be a mechanic,” she reveals. “When you travel alone, especially as a woman, you have to be self-sufficient. Flat tires, fuel filters, turbo issues…you name it, I’ve dealt with it.”
Photo by Kaycie Timm
Beyond the mechanical lessons, she’s learned to stay true to her horses and her instincts.
“Go where your horses are going to work,” Lisa advises. “Don’t just go where everyone else goes. Make a plan that fits you.”
That philosophy has carried her through every stage of her career. Even now, with nearly two decades on the road, she approaches each season with the same grounded mindset.
“If it works, it works,” Lisa explains. “If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. Life is short.”
The Horses That Built a Legacy
Lisa’s career has been defined by the horses she’s partnered with, including Louie, Rosa, Levee, and Cutter, each with their own special place in her heart.
She recalls her first NFR, when she was riding an old gray horse named Sterling and a horse she trained named Chisholm.
“He was probably one of the most fun horses I ever rode,” she recalls. “My kids could ride him, and I could ride him. He was just pure joy.”
When an injury sidelined her mare Bugsy in 2010, it was Louie who stepped up and quickly became a household name.
“Before the first round at the NFR, I was praying, ‘Dear God, please let us make the pattern clean.’ And then we won the round,” she remembers. “That was Louie’s first claim to fame. He’s done things for our family I can’t even talk about.”
Photo by Kaycie Timm
Her affection for her horses is constant through the years.
“They’re like my kids,” she says. “We are nothing without them. Our horsepower defines our success.”
Today, her current team includes Rosa, Cutter, and a young mare named Sasha, who’s proving to be a rising star. Most of Lisa’s horses, past and present, still live on the Lockhart ranch.
“It’s pretty special to have them all here,” she said. “They’re family.”
The Reality of Rodeo
While Lisa’s career is full of highlights, she’s honest about the challenges that come with life on the road. Rodeo is not a team sport, which means there are no coaches, no guaranteed paychecks, and no built-in safety net.
“Your competition is when you look in the mirror,” she explained. “You’re your own coach, your own mentor, your own everything.”
Photo by Kaycie Timm
Add in the financial realities of constant travel like fuel, tires, feed, vet bills, and it becomes clear that rodeo life is not for the faint of heart.
“It’s a full-time job,” Lisa explains. “People think we just compete in the arena, but the work never ends. Horses don’t take holidays.”
That’s where organizations like Western Sports Foundation (WSF) come in to help bridge those gaps.
“It’s incredible to know there are people and programs out there that care,” Lisa says. “From financial help to scholarships and resources, it’s so encouraging to see support for rodeo athletes. This lifestyle isn’t easy, but it’s full of honest, hardworking people—and we always step up for each other.”
a grateful reflection
Even after decades of success, Lisa hasn’t lost her humility or her sense of gratitude.
“The fans of rodeo are the greatest,” she says. “We couldn’t do this without them.”
Whether she’s signing autographs at the NFR or chatting with young riders outside an arena, Lisa always makes time for fans, especially those that will make up the next generation of rodeo.
Photo by Kaycie Timm
“It’s important to treat people like they matter,” she shares. “If someone takes the time to come talk to me, I want them to know they’re seen and appreciated.”
For Lisa Lockhart, that’s what it’s all about: family, horses, hard work, and the people who make the rodeo world turn.
“I love being self-employed, I love the Western way of life,” she concludes. “There are ups and downs, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Lisa Lockhart’s story is a reminder that behind every arena run is a lifetime of dedication, sacrifice, and love for the Western way of life. To hear more of Lisa’s insights and stories, tune in to her full episode on the Beyond the Rodeo podcast, presented by Western Sports Foundation.