High School Rodeo 2016

Rodeo. Just the word sends shivers up my spine, my adrenaline starts pumping, and I feel at home.

I've been riding since I could walk, although sometimes I didn't think I would ever compete in rodeo. It was cool to watch my dad but I didn't have my own burning desire to compete, that is, until I actually did start competing. Once I got the taste of the excitement of it all, I was sure that I wanted to do that for the rest of my life.

There's nothing quite like this sport. In breakaway, for example, my horse and I have to be on the same page, but so does the calf, the guy running the chute, the timer, the flagman, and even the person in the chute pushing my calf. It all happens in roughly four seconds, and there's so many variables. That's what I love about it. Some days it happens, and some days it doesn't, and that's the beauty of it. We are on such a roller coaster all the time, being the best one day to not so hot the next. Rodeo has taught me how to win and lose graciously, because it's the only choice if you want to be able to compete consistently.

In the last two weeks, I've had the opportunity to compete at the National High School Finals Rodeo in Gillette, Wyoming. There were 1637 competitors, and 1900 horses there. It was the largest rodeo in history. Then I was able to go to the Canadian High School Finals Rodeo in Nanton, Alberta. The top six competitors in each province are invited to compete there. I have been blessed to learn and grow from these opportunities, and I am grateful for them.

If I could tell anyone, but especially young girls a thing or two, it would be this: when you are in the heat of the moment, backed in the box, ready to go, just take one second and let the whole situation sink into your mind, and enjoy it. Never take an opportunity for granted, and always be kind to people.

As I think back on that moment where I was backed in the box at Nationals, with people from all over behind me, I could feel the energy from all of these people. It was almost tangible. The feeling of joy and excitement was incredible. At that moment, it was no longer about me. It was about everyone who never got the chance to come, but who ropes as good as anyone. It was about the people who supported me so I could get here, about the coaches who have spent countless hours helping me to be able to rope, but also to be mentally tough, in the arena of rodeo, and in the arena of life.

There might be better ways to make a living, but there is no better way to live. We compete against our best friends, no one backs off for the other person, and we are still friends at the end of the day. It's an incredible life, I wouldn't trade it for anything.