Shenanigans in the saddle
January 29, 2010 • Chelsey Smith, Photo Editor
Filed under Sports
Hot days filled with hard work, sweat and repetition don’t sound horrible to several students who participate in the sport of rodeo. Some people have never heard of such a thing and much less even care about it, but for some students, it is an instrumental part of their lives.
There are many ways to participate in rodeo. One could either be involved in the pageantry side of it or the actual event side of the sport.
Sophomore Katie Wasinger has been heavily involved in the pageantry side of rodeo for several years now. She currently holds the title of Miss Rodeo McCracken 2009, and before that held the crown of Jr. Miss Rodeo Plainville 2008.
“I got involved with rodeo through the Ellis County Horse Club, Wasinger said. The people in it helped me to get started with different rodeos” Wasinger said.
Rodeo is a great way to meet and engage with peers. It is also a great way to help out in the community and serve others.
She said she enjoys everything about rodeo, “especially helping in the arena and working with the kids.”
When it comes to the event side of rodeo, sophomore Tanner Bauer has some experience in the saddle bronc riding event in particular. He participated at a clinic in Goodwell, Okla. that gave him the interest and hope to compete in the event someday.
At this clinic Bauer learned to safely ride a steer with a bronc saddle to prepare him for the actual event some day. Getting on a bucking horse without being fairly accomplished at ridings steers with a bronc saddle.
“I think people should know is that everyone in rodeo works very hard, Wasinger said. People put in hours of work and endless hours of training. They also take the best care of their animals and always put the animals before themselves.” Wasinger said.
Both Bauer and Wasinger have learned a great deal from the time they have spent in this sport. Dedication, hard work, commitment, and patience are just a few.
“Rodeo has helped me become more outgoing and confident, Wasinger said. It also showed me how to work with people and become a better person.”
Rodeo has many positive effects on all youth who participate in the sport. The skills learned through rodeo tend to follow them through life.
Bauer’s aunt and uncle run a saddle making shop that caters to saddle bronc saddles. Through that he has had the opportunity to travel and meet many National Final Rodeo (NFR) cowboys along the way.
“Rodeo has some similarities to other sports like gymnastics, Bauer said. You are competing as individuals and not a part of a team like basketball and football. You are competing against the animal or time.”
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