In the late 2000s, a little sorrel mare affectionately known as “Cleo” lit up some of the biggest stages in barrel racing. Despite her small stature, Cleo, registered as RF Firefly, packed a punch. She was gritty, athletic, and could shut the clock off.  The talented mare won multiple futurities as a four-year-old before successfully transitioning to professional rodeos. Sired by Dash For Perks son, Smoke N Sparks, Cleo was out of a mare by world champion cow horse, Dots Jessie.  Cleo and owner/trainer Kelli (Tolbert) Thouvenell won the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) Rookie Barrel Racer of the Year title in 2009, and qualified for the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) two times (2010, 2012).  Thouvenell found the mare for sale online as a yearling in Riverton, Wyo., for $1,800 and made the investment of a lifetime.…