Future NFR Star? 12 year old Ella Kate Williams and Funny Firewater Turn Heads with their Record-Breaking Run at Bulloch County

Name: Ella Kate Williams

Arena Name that you set the record at: Bulloch County Agricultural Complex, Stateboro GA

Arena Record Time: 14.224

Date Record Set: April 5th, 2025

Event Name: Aloha Acres Spring Run

Reg Name of Horse: Funny Firewater

Horse Barn Name: “Funny”

Sire: Nonstop Firewater

Dam: Chics Gotta Have Fun 

Horse’s Sex: Mare

Horse DOB: 04/10/2019

Photography Credit: Monroe Photos

About the Superstars!

Tell us a little about yourself. Where did you grow up, and how did you get into horses?

My name is Ella Kate Williams, and I’m 12 years old. I was born and raised in middle Georgia. My Mama, Heather Williams put me on a horse when I was only 3 months old, so I’ve never known life without horses! I got my first pony when I was 2 years old, and I started riding by myself when I was 3 years old. My Dad, Ashley Williams bought me my first fast barrel pony when I was 4 years old. His name is Firecracker and he taught me so much on how to ride! Fast forward a few years later, and I am now running big horses. This past February, my Dad asked Nicole Monroe to find me a 1D barrel horse. A few days laters, Mrs. Nicole calls us and says she has found the perfect match for me, and this mares name is Funny Firewater. My first time ever riding her, was at a show in Unadilla and I won the barrel race with her! The next week my Dad bought Funny for me, and since then we have formed a close bond together.

What is your Fuuny’s  personality like? Any quirks? What is something people may not know about her?

Funny is a very sweet mare with a unique personality! On the ground, she is so gentle and loving. She is very easy going when I’m riding her at home or at the show. It is not until she gets in the shoot and she’s ready to run! She 100% knows her job and when she’s done, she settles right back down. The only quirks that she has is clacking her teeth when I’m schooling her around the barrels or in the holding pen! Funny just turned 6 years old on April 10th, and we just had her teeth floated and was told she only has 5 top teeth in the front instead of 6.

Did you breed and raise this horse yourself? If not, what attracted you to this horse to purchase?

We just purchased Funny in February. One thing that I loved about Funny the first time I saw her was that she reminded me so much of my pony Firecracker with her looks and personality! After the first time I rode her and won the barrel race, I knew then we had the potential to become a great team.

Tell us anything special about your arena record run – was there anything you done different that day?

The day before I ran her in the same arena, this run was definitely not our best because I let her go too early so she went wide around the first and second barrel. I was not too happy about our run and I looked at the video and saw my mistake of letting her go before seeing the first barrel. The next day, I made sure to hold her back until we got closer up in the shoot the day I broke the arena record!

Tell us something funny about a run you made, we never see the bloopers behind the scenes?

One time a few years back, I was running my other horse named Gemma when my belt got caught on my saddle horn right before we turned the second barrel. I screamed all the way around the second barrel, but when she was heading to the third it thankfully came lose! That was my lesson to never wear a belt while running, and since then I always take off my belt off before each run.

What is Funny’s exercise routine like?

I usually school her around the barrels once or twice a week to keep her tuned up, and then I long trot her up and down the dirt road next to my house to keep her in shape before a show. I always give her one or two days of rest after each show!

What is your feeding program like, do you use any special supplements?

Funny gets one scoop of Omelene 200 in the morning with two squirts of core Nutrition CEO and one scoop of Omelene 200 in the evening. She also gets feed alfalfa hay twice a day.

What is a bit that will always be hanging in your tack room?

The 5 bit twisted wire snaffle

Does your horse run in shoes are barefoot?

She runs with shoes on all the way around.

Any big Future Plans?

At 18, I plan on getting my PRCA card to go to big rodeos and earn back money to be invited to run at the NFR one day. I also plan on taking online college classes at Texas University while running at rodeos. I hope one day I achieve my dreams to become a famous barrel racer!

If you could make a run on any horse out there, who would it be?

If I could choose any horse out there to run it would have to be Sister. Hailey Kinsel and her do such an amazing job!

What could be done to better the sport of barrel racing any special advice you would like to give?

Always have a positive attitude and be confident in yourself. Just remember it’s only one run and not every run will be perfect!

EquiSpace Records: Congratulations, Ella Kate, on your incredible arena record at the Bulloch County Agricultural Complex! Your passion, determination, and bond with Funny Firewater are inspiring. We can’t wait to watch your journey as you chase down your dreams in the barrel racing world. Keep riding fast and fearless—this is only the beginning!