You could say Nevada Dynneson has barrel racing in her blood.
The 13 year-old Rock Creek resident is a fourth generation cowgirl. Her mother Deona Dynneson competes as a professional barrel racer, her father was a bull rider and both her grandparents were with the rodeo.
“I like the speed,” said Nevada of why she likes to barrel race. “And meeting new friends from everywhere.”
Nevada has been riding since she was four and began competing by the time she was five. It is her competitive drive, passion for horses and her dedication to the sport that earned her a spot on the BC Provincial National Junior High Rodeo Team.
As a member of the team, Nevada will be competing in the National Junior High Finals Rodeo (NJHFR) in Gallup, New Mexico, June 23-29.
The NJHFR includes more than 1,000 contestants from 41 states, five Canadian provinces and Australia. Contestants compete for a chance to be named the national Junior High Finals Rodeo National Champion, for more than $75,000 in prizes and more than $100,000 in college scholarships. To earn the title of national champion, contestants must place in the top 20 based on their combined times and scores.
Nevada qualified for the position on the BC team during the BC Junior High Rodeo Finals in Hudson’s Hope, BC earlier this month.
The win was a difficult one. When they arrived for the competition Nevada’s nine-year old quarter horse, Savannah, had become dehydrated and couldn’t race in the first round. Nevada borrowed her mom’s quarter horse, Leroy, which they’d brought along for back up. But Nevada hadn’t ridden her mom’s horse in over a year and she was bit apprehensive going into that first race.
“She jumped on and placed sixth anyway, “said Deona. “She really had to trust him and he had to really trust her.”
By the second round Nevada’s horse was ready to run and she pulled up to qualify for the provincial team.
“It was quite dramatic and not a sure thing,” recalls Deona. “It just added to the excitement when her horse wasn’t ready.”
When asked what she does to prepare for the competitions, Nevada says simply she does what she loves. She rides her horse everyday. She keeps her healthy and sound, treating her like the athlete she is.
“I think it all starts with being in love with horses,” said Deona. “The horses themselves love their job – when they get to the rodeo or race they know what they are there to do.”
“I just like to see how she progresses each time and what she learns and how she handles her horse,” said Deona of what she enjoys about her daughter’s sport.
Nevada is being sponsored by Willow Spring Black Angus in Westbridge, BC.
The NJHFR will be broadcast online at NHSRATV.com. Nevada will also be attending the Canadian finals in Nanton, AB, on July 25-27.