Meet the Best of the Best in Ohio: Penny Baker

And here’s our last interview! Meet Penny Baker in Shilohs Matrix, who will be smokin’ down the alleyway tonight at the Best of the Best Barrel Race in Ohio on her homebred and trained horse. 

Tell us about the horse you’ll be running in The Best of the Best in Ohio Barrel Race. (Name, bloodlines, style, age, owner, any other fun details.)

My horse’s name is Shilohs Matrix. His bloodlines are Special Effort and A Sharp Leo on the top side, and Easy Jet, Hoodwink and Sugar Bars on the bottom. His style is just quick and powerful. I’m the owner.

What is the biggest race this horse has won?

The biggest race Matrix won was the first go at the Jackson Flyer Futurity. He fell the second go.

What is your biggest win as a barrel racer?

The biggest race I won was a sweepstakes about 10 years ago.

Have you ever run at the WB Ranch before? (If so, what did you think of the facility and the ground, and how did your horses work there?)

We have ran at WB Ranch several times. We always enjoy going there. The ground is good as long as there is enough water on it. Matrix fell flat the first time there, but the groung held good the second time we ran him there.

Tell us one little-known fact about you or your horse. 

Matrix was born and raised at the farm. We own the stud and the mare; we raced him 1 time as a 2 year old then trained him for barrels.

This race is all about charity – What’s the biggest cause you believe in and why?

Cancer seems to be the biggest killer anymore, but we also have friends with other diseases that are just as bad. This barrel race for charity is a very meaningful thing, I really am greatful to be a part of it.