By Savannah McDade Posted April 28, 2010
Rodeo has been an important part of our community for many generations. Those who participate put in a lot of hard work and a lot of passion. The Lowry High School Rodeo Club has been working diligently on and off-season in hopes of making it to the State and National rodeos. Freshman Shaynee Monchamp (who participates in barrel racing, pole bending, and rodeo queen competitions) practices on a daily basis, even in the winter, in hopes of becoming the state queen and running for Nationals.
Senior Lane Barton who participates in bull riding, has also been putting in a lot of hard work, “I just practice all the time and get on as many bulls as I can” said Barton, who, just like Monchamp, is eager to make it to the National Finals rodeo which will be held in Gillette, Wyoming.
Sophomore Bobby Hoenck participates in bareback riding and cutting (a form of horsemanship), both of which require a lot of practice.
“I’ve been doing cutting for eight years,” said Hoenck, who devoted his off-season time to practice cutting.
Rodeo does not only require a lot of hard work but, like any other sport, it can be very expensive. Not only does one have to acquire an animal, but they have to pay for animal feed, tack, traveling, and various other things, such as clothing.
Regarding the queen competition, Monchamp said, “you spend thousands of dollars, my wardrobe already has cost me 5,000 dollars, and I have only had ten outfits.”
