Oklahoma City, OK – The equestrian world witnessed a remarkable display of horsemanship and family legacy from May 1-5, 2002, as sisters Jackie Dube and Tammy Key swept the prestigious Speedhorse Gold Cup Futurity and Derby. Hailing from Texas, the Dube sisters, with their expertly trained horses, left an indelible mark on the competition, showcasing the culmination of years of dedicated training and an innate understanding of their equine partners. This double victory not only underscored their individual talents but also celebrated the profound influence of their parents, Jack and Peggy Dube, who have cultivated a formidable barrel racing dynasty from their Giddings and Ledbetter ranches.

A Family Legacy of Equestrian Excellence

The Dube family name is synonymous with equestrian prowess in the barrel racing circuit. Jack and Peggy Dube have long been respected figures, not only for their expertise in raising and training horses but also for nurturing the extraordinary talents of their daughters. Their approach, combining meticulous breeding with hands-on training, has produced a string of successful equine athletes and riders. The 2002 Speedhorse Gold Cup served as a powerful testament to this generational commitment, as both daughters, riding horses largely developed within the family program, achieved top honors in highly competitive fields.

The Speedhorse Gold Cup is a cornerstone event in the barrel racing calendar, drawing top competitors and promising young horses from across the nation. Held annually in Oklahoma City, a central hub for western equestrian sports, the event features both a Futurity, designed for young, developing barrel horses, and a Derby, for slightly older, more seasoned competitors. Winning either division is a significant achievement; claiming both in the same year, especially by siblings, is an exceptional feat that solidifies the Dube family’s reputation at the pinnacle of the sport.

Jackie Dube and Oro Leader: From Race Prospect to Futurity Champion

The Futurity division, boasting a substantial $35,000-added purse and attracting 368 entries, was conquered by 22-year-old Jackie Dube of Giddings, Texas, aboard her striking palomino gelding, Oro Leader. Their victory earned them a staggering $25,809, a testament to their flawless performance and the gelding’s remarkable transformation.

Oro Leader, a 1998 gelding, was initially sent to the Dube ranch by Mike Amburn of T.I. Cattle Co. with the intention of being developed as a racehorse. Bred for speed, his pedigree featured strong racing lines, by Special Leader and out of Rhythm Of The Road by Vikinson (TB). His dam, owned by Amburn and previously purchased from country music legend George Strait in 1992, was a proven stakes producer and placer. However, Jackie Dube saw a different destiny for the spirited palomino.

From the outset, Oro Leader, affectionately nicknamed "Rowdy" due to his feisty temperament and tendency to bite passersby in his stall, presented a unique challenge. Jack Dube initiated his breaking, and early signs pointed to a promising racing career. Yet, his path was not without hurdles. At two years old, he suffered a shin-bucking injury, necessitating several months of turnout. Upon returning to training as a three-year-old, he showed flashes of brilliance with a first, third, and fifth in his initial three starts. Despite this, a strategic decision was made in July 2001 to pull him from the racetrack, allowing Jackie to redirect his immense talent towards barrel racing.

This transition meant Oro Leader had a significantly later start to his barrel racing futurity career compared to many of his seasoned competitors. Jackie acknowledged this, stating, "He is farther behind than most of the horses here. It’s taken him a little longer to bloom, but I think he has now." Despite the late start and his ornery disposition, the pair quickly forged a formidable partnership. Early successes included respectable finishes at the competitive San Antonio and Ardmore events, where they placed ninth and eleventh, respectively.

However, their journey to the Gold Cup was not without recent setbacks. Prior to the Speedhorse Silver Cup, a crucial preliminary event, Oro Leader suffered a debilitating injury at the hands of a farrier. Jackie recounted, "Before the last Speedhorse, my horseshoer crippled him. That was on Tuesday, and we left to go there on Wednesday. He ducked in front of the first barrel." This unfortunate incident left the pair out of the payout window and provided a mere two months to regroup and refine their strategy.

It was during this critical period that Peggy Dube, Jackie’s mother, offered a pivotal piece of advice. To counter Rowdy’s tendency to anticipate the first barrel and duck, Peggy suggested alternating between left and right starts. This innovative approach proved instrumental in Oklahoma City. Facing an elite field including Silver Cup Champion Kim Squires and Ears My Money, Harlequin Farms Futurity Champion Kebo Almond and VF Sheza Live Wire, and Lazy E Champion Ryan Lovendahl and Smooth Movin Dash, Jackie and Rowdy demonstrated remarkable poise. They delivered the Futurity’s only sub-15 second run, clocking an impressive 14.898 seconds. This dominant performance, combined with a 14.906 in the short-go, secured the average win, adding $21,007 to their prize money and a total of $25,809 to be shared with owner Mike Amburn.

Jackie’s gratitude for her mother’s unwavering support extended beyond strategic advice. "I want to thank my mother for taking such good care of my horses all week long," she expressed. "She wants me and Tammy to concentrate on our run, so she gets up and feeds the horses and lets us sleep. She takes such good care of my horses at home and on the road." This sentiment highlights the often-unseen dedication and teamwork that underpins success at this level. Jackie, at 22, was not new to the arena, having been barrel racing since the tender age of four while balancing her passion with studies in physical therapy at Blinn College.

Tammy Key and Easy Dash Oak: A Derby Triumph and NFR Aspirations

Following her younger sister’s spectacular win, older sister Tammy Key of Ledbetter, Texas, continued the family’s winning streak by clinching the Derby championship. Riding her distinguished bay gelding, Easy Dash Oak, Tammy bested a field of 163 entries in the $3,500-added Derby. This victory, her first derby title, was particularly poignant as it marked Easy Dash Oak’s likely final appearance in a derby competition, as the pair set their sights on the pinnacle of professional rodeo.

Easy Dash Oak, known affectionately as "Roundpen," possessed a backstory as colorful as Oro Leader’s. His journey began at the ranch of Mrs. C.L. Loreant, a fellow Giddings resident. A lively colt, he developed a reputation for being difficult, once kicking the ranch foreman, leading to him being turned out and largely disregarded. By Victory Dash and out of Easy Little Oak by Easily Smashed, his pedigree suggested potential despite his early behavioral challenges.

At two years old, the thin, spirited colt arrived at the Dube ranch. There, Jack and Peggy Dube embarked on a patient process of rehabilitation and training. The gelding spent considerable time in a round pen, regaining health and adjusting to a structured environment, hence his nickname. Initially, Easy Dash Oak was destined to be Jackie’s mount. However, fate intervened dramatically during his futurity year in March, when he flipped over on Jackie, causing a severe pelvis injury. This unfortunate incident led to the gelding becoming Tammy’s partner.

Tammy and Roundpen quickly formed an unbreakable bond, achieving numerous futurity championships, including the prestigious World Championship Barrel Futurity and the Elite Barrel Futurity. Despite these successes, a Derby title had eluded them until the 2002 Speedhorse Gold Cup. "We had never won one," Tammy revealed. "We had won second, we had won third, but we’d never been first. That’s what makes this win so special. It was probably his last chance at a derby win."

The pair demonstrated their seasoned expertise in Oklahoma City. They dominated both go-rounds, posting a winning 14.864 in the first and an even faster 14.790 in the second. Their combined average time of 29.578 seconds secured the average win and a prize of $8,676. This hard-fought victory was a fitting capstone to Easy Dash Oak’s derby career.

With the Gold Cup Derby title under their belt, Tammy and Easy Dash Oak were poised for even greater achievements. Holding a strong third-place position on the Jack Daniels World Standings, their focus had shifted squarely to the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in December. Tammy light-heartedly confirmed their ambitions, stating, "We’re paid up for Oklahoma City (World Championship Barrel Futurity and Derby), but I really want to be in Vegas in December." Their consistent performance and high standing signaled a strong likelihood of gracing the hallowed grounds of Las Vegas, a dream for any professional barrel racer.

The "Magic Touch": A Testament to Dube Horsemanship

The narrative of both Oro Leader and Easy Dash Oak underscores a recurring theme: the Dube family’s remarkable ability to transform challenging, often overlooked horses into champions. Both geldings arrived at the Dube ranch with temperamental issues or past injuries that might have deterred less experienced trainers. Oro Leader, the "ornery project," and Easy Dash Oak, the "lively colt" that injured Jackie, exemplify the "magic touch" attributed to Jack and Peggy Dube. Their patience, profound understanding of equine psychology, and expert training methods not only rehabilitated these horses physically but also mentally, allowing their inherent athleticism and speed to flourish in the barrel arena.

This dedication to bringing out the best in each horse, regardless of their starting point, distinguishes the Dube family in a highly competitive sport. It highlights a philosophy that values deep horsemanship over quick fixes, focusing on building trust and refining technique. The success of Jackie and Tammy is a direct reflection of this foundation, providing them with not just top-tier horses but also the knowledge and support system to excel under pressure.

Broader Implications and Future Outlook

The Dube sisters’ double victory at the 2002 Speedhorse Gold Cup carries significant implications for their careers and the sport of barrel racing. For Jackie Dube, her win with Oro Leader firmly establishes her as a rising star. The substantial prize money earned, particularly for a relatively new futurity horse, positions Oro Leader as a highly valuable prospect for future competitions and potentially for breeding programs, should his career path continue to evolve. This win validates Jackie’s keen eye for talent and her ability to develop a horse from a challenging background into a top contender.

For Tammy Key, the Derby win with Easy Dash Oak marks a pivotal moment. Achieving her first derby title with a horse that has already secured numerous futurity championships signifies her transition from a successful futurity rider to a formidable force on the professional rodeo circuit. Her stated ambition to compete at the NFR in Las Vegas, rather than another derby, clearly indicates her focus on professional rodeo, where consistent performance and mental toughness are paramount. The NFR represents the pinnacle of professional rodeo, and her qualification would be a career-defining achievement, bringing national recognition and potentially lucrative endorsements.

The Dube family’s collective achievement at the Speedhorse Gold Cup also serves as an inspiring narrative within the equestrian community. It showcases the power of family support, generational knowledge transfer, and unwavering dedication to the craft of horsemanship. Their success reinforces the idea that true excellence in equestrian sports is a blend of natural talent, meticulous training, strategic decision-making, and a profound partnership between horse and rider, all nurtured within a supportive environment. As the barrel racing season progresses, all eyes will be on the Dube sisters, particularly Tammy Key as she chases her NFR dream, and Jackie Dube as she continues to hone her skills and develop future champions, ensuring the Dube legacy continues to gallop strong for years to come.