Ann Bassett – NSPRA Card # 6072

Most young people follow in the footsteps of their parents or grandparents, but Ann chose a different path.  Horses weren’t part of her parents lifestyle, however Ann loved horses so in 1966 at the young age of 11 she decided to ride a wild colt in a competition because the winner got to keep the colt.  Ann won second in that competition and didn’t get the colt, but she knew rodeo was right where she wanted to be.  Ann went on to be a two-time Arizona High School All Around Champion and made the National High School Finals all four years.  Ann was given a full rodeo scholarship to Yavapai College and in 1969 at the age of 14 she filled her permit and got her card.  In 1973 she won a State Championship for the Arizona Girls Rodeo Association which is now the WPRA and placed at Cheyenne in 1972 which is one of her favorite rodeo memories.  Horses have always been the forefront of Ann’s life from competing at junior rodeos, barrel futurities, pro rodeos, senior pro rodeos or helping her husband run their race horse business.  Ann sacrificed a lot of her own time from competition to haul her three kids where they all competed at junior and high school level where she would head or heel for them in the ream roping or where she trained the barrel horses that her girls rode.

Ann was a member of the WPRA for over 20 years along with being a Turquoise Circuit Finals Qualifier.   Ann joined the NSPRA in 1994 and she served on the executive board in the past ten years.  Her biggest accomplishment was winning the 2004 NSPRA Barrel Racing World Championship and in the same year was named Reserved All Around Champion.  Competition was fierce that year as Ann had to get to 44 rodeos to the the title.  It wasn’t just the competition that drew Ann to the NSPRA.

Ann and her husband John have enjoyed the travel to different places and the camaraderie and friendships that have been built through the association.  Rodeo and the western lifestyle have always been a part of Ann’s life and she has passed that down to the next generation in her family.  As much as rodeo has had an impact on her she has passed that down to the next generations in her family.  As much as rodeo has had an impact on her she has impacted many others through the hard work and love that she has put into this great sport.

Congratulations Ann for this much deserved recognition.