Heartland Twisters
Meet The Ladies of Chanute Bit and Spur Saddle Clubs
Established in the mid 1970's as the Chanute Bit and Spur Saddle Club drill team, this all female equestrian team took on their current name in 1991. Performing precisely choreographed maneuvers at a fast pace, In 2026 the girls plan to preform 1 fast paced, precision drill & Their For God & Country Act. For More information, to book the Twisters for your Rodeo or event, or to Join Contact Team Captain Rilee Jordan 620-778-5997.
Rilee Jordan, Paris, Whiz, & Phoenix
Rilee Jordan, 26, is a Galesburg, Kansas cowgirl, professional horse trainer, aspiring barrel racer, and current captain of the Chanute Bit & Spur Saddle Club Heartland Twisters Drill Team. The daughter of Doug and Mara Jordan, Rilee serves as the Saddle Club’s Event Coordinator, Graphic Artist, and Social Media & Website Designer while working full-time as a Graphic Artist at Jim Allen Packaging. She also competes in the American Cowboys Rodeo Association in barrel racing, mounted shooting, ranch versatility, and other events, while raising her 3-year-old son, Riggin. Rilee rides three horses on drill: Paris, her 24-year-old sorrel mare. She is an accomplished all-around horse with experience in cutting, cow work, steer wrestling, barrel racing, sale-barn work, and nearly 10 years of drill team experience. She will represent Rilee in the For God & Country Act.; Whiz, her 7-year-old reining-bred Paint mare who will be Rilee's Main Horse; and Outta The Ashes (Phoenix), her 4-year-old American Mustang. Phoenix entered training completely wild and has had only approximately 90 days of human interaction. He is currently part of a 120-day Mustang training challenge, The Bluegrass Mustang Makeover Challenge, Rilee plans to use him as her flag horse at the rodeo. Phoenix will be offered for sale October 31 following the competition.
Kayla Paz & Bear
Kayla Paz, a 39 years old, Chanute, Kansas. Kansas raised, American proud, and cowgirl through and through. Kayla is the wife of an Army veteran, mom of two boys, and a special education paraprofessional. When she is not working or raising her boys, you’ll find her where she belongs.... in the saddle. Kayla is a barrel racer, drill team rider, and mounted shooter. She believes in hard work, dirty boots, earned respect, standing for our flag, honoring those who fought for it, and never forgetting the sacrifices behind the freedoms we get to live every day. And then there’s Bear. Bear is Kayla's 23-year-old bay gelding, retired barrel horse, & heart horse. Bear spent his years thundering down alleys, wrapping barrels, and giving Kayla everything he had. Now he’s earned the right to slow down. However don’t mistake retired for forgotten. Legends don’t stop being legends when they leave the arena. They are a little red, white, blue and covered in arena dirt around here. Bear has carried Kayla through countless miles and memories, and being the wife of a veteran reminds me every day that the best things in life, freedom, family, loyalty, and a damn good horse.....should never be taken for granted. God bless America. God bless our veterans. And God bless the horses that carry cowgirls like Kayla through this wild ride.
Prairie Smith & Sandy Bob
Prairie Smith, is a 26 year old Bartlett, KS native. From 4-h, ranch rodeoing, running barrels and riding drill, she has put endless hours and miles on her horses. Prairie is the wife of Leighton and proud mom to a handsome little boy named Bo. They run BS Ranch as a family. You will often find her checking cows, putting out deer blinds, working her dogs and legging up her horses. Sandy Bob is new to the drill team experience and he is adjusting like a well mannered 21 year old. He is eager to please, loyal and ready to carry Prairie through the arena dust, bright lights , loud music and late nights. For Prairie, the sacrifice that so many have gave to this country gives the rest of us the chance to watch the sun rise over the pasture, feel the wind in our faces on a ride, and the freedom to carry the Red, White and Blue.
Mara Jordan & Cherokee
Mara Jordan is the Eldest member of the team at 60 years old. She is a Galesburg, Kansas cowgirl, she is a veteran member of the Chanute Bit & Spur Heartland Twisters Drill team. Mara joined the team with her Daughter Rilee. Mara is the daughter of Jean Friend and Richard and Jerry Michael. Mara works at Tioga Territory in Chanute, Kansas where she helps design and create custom jackets and clothing merchandise & prizes for several national & world horse shows. Mara is the Chanute Bit & Spur Saddle Club Rodeo Committee Co-Chair. Mara hopes to help her daughter achieve a family ranch where they can raise and train ranch and rodeo horses. Mara is riding her 26 year old all around babysitter horse Cherokee. Cherokee is a registered paint Mare who excels in performance classes including Western Pleasure, Horsemanship and Showmanship. She also competes in Mounted Shooting, 4-H events, and has formerly competed in Dressage and Jumping. Cherokee has been a member of the Heartland Twisters for 15 years. Cherrokee actually has lost an eye this year which is an amazing setback for her to overcome.
Elizabeth Thompson & Storm
Elizabeth Thompson, Elizabeth Thompson is a lifelong cowgirl with a passion for rodeo, agriculture, and serving her community. Having grown up around horses and livestock, Liz began riding at a young age and has continued to make the western way of life an important part of who she is. Liz has proudly held rodeo queen titles and now uses those experiences to encourage and mentor the next generation of young women in rodeo. She currently serves as the coordinator for three rodeo queen pageants, including the Chanute Rodeo Royalty Pageant, where she strives to create positive, welcoming experiences that build confidence, horsemanship, leadership, and a love for rodeo. Beyond the arena, Liz has a strong passion for helping others. She is currently studying at Neosho County Community College (NCCC) to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), with aspirations of continuing her education and becoming a paramedic. Whether serving her community or promoting the western way of life, Liz is dedicated to making a positive impact on those around her.
Katie Miles & Batman
Katie Miles is originally from Melvern, Kansas, where she grew up around horses and developed a lifelong love for the Western way of life. From turning barrels to riding the trails, her passion for horses has only grown stronger through the years. Katie is a proud mama to two obnoxious little ones—a daughter and a son—who have become familiar faces around the arena. This arena has become a home away from home for their family, and their arena family has watched those little ones grow right alongside their love for the sport. When she’s not in the saddle, she works as a contract cutter with Premier Timber Services. For her, life is best lived with faith in the Lord, gratitude for the freedom we’ve been given, and appreciation for those who protect it. Bless our troops, cherish your horses, and never lose sight of the simple, Western way of life that makes us who we are. Katie is Riding Rilee Jordan's 18 Year old Paint Gelding Batman. Batman is a Barrel racing horse, & Lessons Horse for Rafter J Ranch. Batman has been a member of The Heartland Twisters off & on for about 8 years.
Team Fun Facts
There are four Geldings (Sandy bob, Phoenix, Batman, & Bear) & Four Mares (Whiz, Paris, Cherrokee, Storm) on the team!
The Youngest Team Member is Elizabeth Thompson
The Oldest Team Member is Mara Jordan
The Team Member who has participated in Drill the longest is Kayla Paz
Phoenix is the youngest Horse On the team (4 years old)
Cherrokee is the Oldest Horse on the team (27 years old)
Cherokee only has one good eye
We have 3 rookie horses (Sandy Bob, Phoenix, & Whiz) & 5 Veteran Horses (Batman, Paris, Cherokee, Storm & Bear)
The Teams Combined Age is 338 Years old.
The Team Consists of American Quarter Horses (Storm, Sandy Bob, Bear, Paris) American Paint Horses (Batman, Whiz, Cherokee) & American Mustangs (Phoenix)
We have 2 Grey horses (Sandy bob & Storm), 1 Bay horse (Bear), 2 Sorrel Horses (Paris & Phoenix) & 3 Paint horses (Batman, Whiz & Cherrokee)
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Photo Credits To Adelay Martin of A.M. Photography Click the Link Below to See more of her work!
Heartland Whirlwinds
Established in 2025, this new team is taking the arena by storm!
This year, we're excited to introduce our Junior Team - the Heartland Whirlwinds!
The Whirlwinds are here to help grow the Heartland Twisters by encouraging younger girls to get involved & learn alongside our experienced team. It's a great opportunity to build horsemanship skills, gain valuable friendships & Boost confidence!
Are you 7-12 years old & ready to join the fun?
Contact Team Captain Rilee Jordan at 620-778-5997 for more information & to sign up!