Benette Barrington used a great word to describe her barrel racing mount, JL Dash Ta Heaven, during his first-round run at the American Royal Rodeo a little more than a week ago.

“He was very fluent,” she said of the 6-year-old sorrel stallion, whose daddy, Dash Ta Fame, is a top breeding stud in barrel racing. Dash Ta Heaven’s momma, Dyan’s Plain Special, guided Janae Ward-Massey to her only world championship in 2003.

Fluent describes best what a good barrel horse can do, because the good ones make it seem easy, that the runs flow seamlessly.

Barrington didn’t qualify for the 2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, but she’s off to a hot start for 2012. She’s No. 1 in the world standings with more than $14,000. Of course, $5,000 of that came in Kansas City last week. But she’s well on her way to return to the biggest stage in the sport.

She just needs to keep mashing on the gas pedal.