Holeman was raised on her parents' ranch west of Arcadia; she never lived more than a mile away.
[1][2] Holeman and Donnie competed together; she in barrel racing, he in calf roping.
She qualified for the inaugural RFD-TV: The American Rodeo on her horse "Tallboy", who she raised and trained at home.
She was making plans for Cheyenne Frontier Days not long before her death.
[6][2] Holeman received Sparky from a friend, and she started on the barrel pattern.