The rodeo community and the legal world across Indiana are mourning the heartbreaking loss of Cheyanna Closser. At just 29 years old, Cheyanna was a woman who lived two extraordinary lives at once. She was a fiercely talented barrel racer on the International Professional Rodeo Association circuit and a dedicated estate planning attorney. Tragically, her life was cut short on July 29 after a devastating car crash in Markleville, Indiana, the day before.
The life-altering accident happened on July 28 at an intersection in Markleville. Investigators reported that a semi-truck driver failed to stop at a stop sign, crashing directly into Cheyanna’s vehicle. The impact left her critically injured, prompting emergency responders to airlift her straight to a hospital in Indianapolis. Despite the best efforts of medical personnel, she succumbed to her severe injuries the following day.
Long before she was handling estate plans or racing barrels, Cheyanna was born into horse racing royalty. Formerly known as Cheyanna Patrick, she was the daughter of former jockey Cindy Patrick and trainer Gary Patrick. Horses were in her blood from the very beginning. She climbed into the saddle professionally in 2013 at Fairmount Park and quickly built a name for herself as a regular contender at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
Cheyanna didn’t just ride horses; she won with them. Over her impressive career on the track, she racked up 66 victories at Horseshoe Indianapolis alone. In 2015, her incredible skill and work ethic earned her the track’s prestigious Juan Saez Leading Apprentice Jockey Award. By the time she retired from professional horse racing in 2018, she had logged 74 total wins and earned over $1.5 million in purse money.
Yet, Cheyanna was never one to settle on just one passion. While still making noise on the racetrack, she pursued higher education and earned her law degree. After stepping away from the jockey life, she established herself as a skilled legal mind in Indianapolis. She eventually founded her own firm, Indiana Legacy Lawyer Estate Planning, where she helped local families protect their hard-earned assets and prepare for the future.
Even with a demanding legal career, her heart never left the arena. Cheyanna stayed deeply connected to her roots by competing as a top-ranked barrel racer in the International Professional Rodeo Association. She qualified for the International Finals Rodeo, proving that her competitive drive was as strong in the rodeo dirt as it was on the racetrack or in the courtroom.
Outside of her achievements, Cheyanna was above all a loving wife to her husband and a cherished friend to countless people. The IPRA Barrel Racer Spotlight honored her as an IFR qualifier, a devoted lawyer, and a warm-hearted companion whose presence lit up every room. Tributes and heartfelt condolences continue to pour in from across the country as colleagues, fellow riders, and loved ones honor a remarkable life taken far too soon.
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