Heath and Brittney Ford
Rodeo wife Brittney Ford opens up about the joys she has in life, especially her husband. She also brings to light how God keeps them able to face the ups and downs that life throws their way. Brittney has a beautiful heart and is always willing to help those around her. Her husband Heath and her are amazing Christians and continuously encourage me and teach me about Gods word. I hope you all enjoy the one-on-one interview with this amazing, strong, christian woman.
Tell the readers of Rodeo Wives, Girlfriends, and Family a little about yourself.
I was born and raised into a rodeo family in Montana. I have two brothers and a sister and they are my world!! Heath and I currently live in east Texas. I have my degree in secondary education thinking summers off was a great way to rodeo. What I didn't calculate was how teaching is not a good financial plan to rodeo. :) So I went back to school and am currently in nursing school here in Texas. Heath calls it his retirement plan. :)
Any special announcements you want to make to our readers?
Our biggest announcement these days is we have a little girl due in June. This has been a huge desire of ours and has been quite a trying process so we couldn't be more excited. I am so excited to see Heath as a dad, they don't come any better!!
How did you and Heath meet?
Heath likes to say we met on MySpace :) But we had a lot of the same friends and had so many coincidences that brought us together. One day I had a friend request from him and couldn't believe it because I had so many crazy stories on how we knew each others friends. To this day he swears he never sent that friend request and I've only seen him send a handful so it's definitely something to smile and wonder about!!
Tell us one thing you LOVE and ADORE about your husband Heath?
Heath is happy everyday he wakes up. I've never seen him wake up in a grumpy mood. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't laugh when we are together. It is so nice to have the constant positivity surrounding everything you do.
How do you feel about rodeo in general? Do you ever wish Heath was in the NFL, MLB, NHL instead?
I really couldn't see Heath being anything but a cowboy. I have been in love with rodeo my whole life. It sometimes knocks you on your butt, however I wouldn't want anything different for my family. I think it is one of the best sports to raise a family around. When you are surrounded by families going through the same ups and downs, there are bonds that become unbreakable.
Tell us what event Heath competes in
Heath competes in the bareback riding with aspirations to become a flag girl at the NFR :) JK!!!!
K Heath, your secret is safe with us ;)
Do you travel with him? If so, how do you like traveling and what things or advice do you give to others to help pass the long driving hrs?
I was able to travel with Heath almost full time the first two years. With school my traveling has definitely slowed down. I love when I do get to go though. Although the road gets long, it is almost a permanent vacation. The best way to past the long hours are, if there is time, find interesting hideaways in each area. Clint Cannon is king of finding random hot springs or lake hideouts using Google Maps. Even if you stop for half an hour just to jump in real quick it definitely refreshes you for the rest of the drive.
What do you love about rodeo?
The bonds between rodeo families is by far my favorite thing!! I have made some lifelong friendships with people all over the country that I wouldn't have even met without rodeo. There are some ladies I talk to on an almost daily basis and it helps combat all the tough challenges rodeo can present.
If u could change 1 thing about rodeo what would it be?
Obviously the money situation would be a nice change. I would love if they were paid like other professional athletes but understand the challenges behind that. Also it would be nice if there was something set up for guys after rodeo (possibly retirement plan style). Rodeo if not played right will definitely break a person. There are so many past champions in our sport struggling to even pay bills these days. Sometimes I get sad with the way rodeo pulls so much out of a person until the next champion comes along. I understand the process because it is what keeps our sport new and exciting but it also makes it easy to forget those who have put so much of their lives into helping it become what it is now.
How do you spend your time alone and together?
I am not really a fan of being by myself because I am a pretty social person. When I am, I usually just work on the horses or around the place. When Heath and I are together we do everything from work to fishing. And of course head to that next rodeo. We learned how to sit a foot away from each other in a car for hours on end very early in our relationship so anytime we get a chance to be together, we find something to do. We would always rather be together than have "me" time.
How do you plan your rodeo schedule?
I have no control over the rodeo schedule. Heath bought his permit in 1996 and has been doing this ever since so he has a pretty set pattern that he's been following for some time. Here lately he has decided to only go to the rodeos he really enjoys so that has cut a few stops.
What is your favorite place to shop?
I hardly ever spend money on myself and rarely on clothes so I am definitely a Ross type of shopper. Sometimes we have fun going to garage sales and then fixing up or remodeling little projects. I know really boring!!
Just wait until you have that baby Brittney! You'll hardly EVER buy for yourself again. Even if you tell yourself you're going to go shopping for yourself and ONLY you, it always turns to baby shopping. It's great being a mommy though and blessing your babies!
What is your personal style?
I am definitely no where near the fashionista most are. I show up at the rodeos and sit with some of the most beautiful women in the world usually wearing a t-shirt and jeans. Thankfully Heath doesn't care too much about what I wear which lets me be the usual casual me.
What is your favorite place to eat?
Heath and I eat Mexican quite a bit but there is a Mongolian place in Montana called Hu Hot that I am pretty high on. Probably more now that I don't get up there as much.
What is your favorite rodeo?
Houston is always fun not only for the rodeo itself but I love the Bible studies every night with Ted and Linda at the Bistro. I also like traditional rodeo so Cheyenne and Pendleton are quite a bit of fun as well. I always have a great time in Calgary as well. Dillon and Augusta, Montana will always have special places for me!!!
How do you balance your husbands rodeo schedule with being apart?
Heath's rodeo has really been the center of our lives. I think both of us growing up in rodeo, we just continued the same style into our relationship. So as far as balancing, it was always something we did and then fit the extra stuff around rodeo. With nursing school in full swing now I have had to learn more about putting time into my stuff and moving it higher on the priority list.
What do the two of you do to keep your relationship #1?
Heath and I are by far each others best friends!! Sorry Winn :) We have always put the time in to make sure the other is happy and not out of expectation but because we want to. It took a little fine tuning but when he is on the road I always get a call after every ride. And when he calls, he doesn't talk to the guys. That is our time to just "be together" and so we both give full attention, even if it's just the quick 10 minutes he is able to squeeze in.
How do u keep the sparks flying and the love fire a burnin??
Heath is as plain Jane as they come in this area which is completely fine with me. He doesn't over use sweet words and I am not constantly receiving gifts which make the times I do that much better!! I wouldn't care if Heath never got on another bucking horse but for me personally, the sparks fly when I see him about to nod his head. Heath has one of the craziest "grr/bare down faces" but for some reason it just works for me! :)
What is your favorite website?
Not sure if I have one. I have kind of jumped on the Pinterest bus. I love all the great ideas and DIY projects. We have also been eating very well here lately.
Pinterest is amazing so we definitely agree with you Brittney!
What advice would you like to give our readers on staying strong throughout all the ups and downs rodeo throws your way?
My advice in this area is very faith based. We stand on the promises in the Bible to get us through everything. Rodeo is amazing but it is definitely a roller coaster ride. Our biggest thing is our joy does not come from inside the arena. With so many variables from the draw to judges marks to how healthy he is that ride, it is necessary to have something concrete to stand on. For us that is the Lord. In heaven the streets are paved with the same material as the buckles they strive for. Sometimes it's nice to put into perspective how we will walk on the things they try so hard for.
What advice do you give to keep a positive attitude when loss is front and center and when hardships happen?
Just always remember there is life outside of rodeo!! Sometimes we are so wrapped up because it is what pays our bills and occupies our time but there is so much more. When the hardships come, and as we all know they do, it's best to really hold on to what's important and push through the slump. It only takes one with rodeo to put you back on the right roll.
Do the two of you have any nicknames or pet names you call one another and that are appropriate to share? ;)
Sometimes I call him Heef which came from the little Welsh boys when they couldn't say Uncle Heath when they were younger. Most of the time he just calls me B.
If you could tell the readers about ONE great thing (discovery) you can't live without what would it be?
JESUS!!! I can't even begin to say how much He has not only impacted my life but has completely taken care of us every step of the way. It is unreal the amount of peace that comes in the middle of this crazy storm of rodeo. He is more than my rock, He is my everything!! Not a day goes by that I don't lean on Him and He always takes care of me. I have seen Heath have a broken leg healed in six days. Another time Heath couldn't even lift his head off the ground and was told his neck needed to be fused together and would never ride again. With all the uncertainty that rodeo brings financially, we have never wanted or needed for anything. And poor Heath married a full time student. God has fulfilled every promise and is the center of everything we do.
We 100% agree and for those of you who don't know Brittney personally, Heath and her are mine and Josh's "GO TO" for all things biblical when our pastor isn't available. They are amazing at giving Godly advice and help to renew and lift your spirits back up in desperate times. They can also answer biblical questions so if you ever want to talk about Jesus or know His story please feel free to approach Heath and He will let you know how Jesus died for your sins. It will change your life!
If you were on a deserted island what is ONE thing you'd bring?
As corny as it sounds I would bring Heath. He makes everything better and it is unreal what we are able to do with our projects when we work together. We would be Swiss Family Robinson on that island!!
List one word to describe yourself?
Loyal- I had to ask Heath because I didn't know what to say and this is what he told me. :)
Favorite vacation spot?
Heath and I went to Jamaica for our honeymoon and loved it!! These days we don't make it home to Montana as much so that has become my favorite vacation spot. I love when I get to go see everyone.
What is your dream vacation?
I want to go to Africa and shoot a kudu. Past that I love all tropical places.
Favorite movie you'd recommend right now to watch
The Book of Eli is a huge favorite in this house.
Do you have any unique or strange talents?
I am the most efficient procrastinator you have ever met! I can put stuff (mainly homework) off until the last moment and still whip out the best product. It definitely helps when you have to be pliable on the rodeo trail.
Do you have any pet peeves your husband does?
Heath sleeps in the center of the bed, no matter what the size leaving me a quarter of it no matter which side I choose. The worst part is this is what I miss the most when he is gone. :)
What is the most romantic thing your husband has ever done?
Like I said before, these come only ever so often which makes them amazing! Any time Heath makes the extra effort on the road to set up time for just us( although he really has had the perfect traveling partners) I always feel really special. There are a few specific times that stand out, but they are all included in the quality time he sets aside for us.
Do you or Heath have any phobias?
I do not like the usual crawly things: spiders, snakes, mice. Heath doesn't like birds. (He is going to get crud for this) but he is actually scared to death of all birds.
I guess Alfred Hitchcocks "BIRDS" is out of the question huh Heath?!
Are you a morning or night person? What about Heath?
I am a night owl and Heath is a morning person.
What was the last film you saw at the theater?
We went and saw The Hobbit with our friend's kids.
What's your favorite style accessory?
Here is "my style" again but I think a sharp pair of cowboy boots look so classy. To me, it completes my outfits just as much as a cute pair of heels.
Would you rather be outdoors in the wild or indoors in the house?
Outdoors any and everyday. Still working on the whole house wife thing!!
