Barrel racer Mary Walker has experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows.
In April of 2000, Mary and her husband, 1981 World Champion Steer Wrestler Byron Walker, lost their only child. Riggin Walker, an up-and-coming rodeo star, died in a tragic road accident.
A month later, fate stepped in when the Walkers bought a horse they called Latte.
After a wreck early on in their partnership, Mary and Latte became a formidable pair.
In 2012, Mary and Latte caught fire at the Wrangler NFR, winning Rounds 1, 2, 3 and 7. Mary and her Bay horse also placed in four more rounds to win a Gold Buckle. Walker set a then-NFR barrel racing earnings record and also finished second in the average.
At age 53, she was also the oldest World Champion ever at the time.
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