Chris was born in Emmett, Idaho and raised in Boise. She lived down the road from the old Boise Fairgrounds on Irving St in Boise. She rode her horses all over the area and usually rode bareback. She joined the Eh-Capa Bareback riders in 1962 and was the Queen in 1969. The largest Rodeo the group traveled to was Cheyenne Wyoming, but they went all over the western United States.
Chris competed in Little Britches rodeos and High School Rodeos. She went to the State High School Rodeo in Barrels, Poles and the Queen Contest in the 1970’s. She was queen of the Weiser Rodeo and the Caldwell Night Rodeo and went on to become Miss Rodeo Idaho. She was 2nd runner up to Miss Rodeo America.
Chris served on the board of directors for the ICA and was president of the Idaho Barrel Futurity.
She competed in Rodeos sanctioned by the ICA, NRA, and WRA and in both the Columbia River and Wilderness Circuit for the WPRA. She also competed in barrel futurities with multiple placings and futurity Championships. Chris was the ICA Barrel Racing Champion in 1997 and 1999. She also qualified for the Wilderness Circuit Finals in 1999 placing in all three go rounds and the average. All the horses she competed on were trained by her husband Greg and herself. These horses were either purchased off the racetrack or raised out of proven mares she previously competed on.
Several horses that Chris and Greg trained and sold had much success with new owners. One year there were four “Holmes Horses” at the ICA finals.
Her son Tyrell was born in 1999 and the last 23 years has been spent being a mom, training horses and working a full-time job. Most rodeos were put on the back burner, but she continued to train horses and compete in Northwest barrel futurities and local barrel racing jackpots.
In 2014 Chris and Greg established Barrels and Bibles. The goal was to give barrel racing instruction to younger riders who were just beginning but it ended up being inclusive of all ages and skill level. Each weekly clinic began with a devotional and testimonies for those who wanted to share. All who participated were given a Cowboy Bible and invited to be a part of the Barrels and Bibles family. As a member of the family there was no charge for instruction. In the early days it was held a Larry knapp’s indoor arena in Star, Idaho but now most instruction is done at the home arena with smaller groups (1-4). The hope of Chris and Greg is that the light of Jesus Christ will shine through their instruction.
Chris had a career in the Mortgage Industry for the last 47 years. She is a level IV Underwriter and has her designations of FHA DE and VA SAR.