July 29, 2025 • 26 mins
Welcome back to the show!! We apologize for the two week hiatus, our producer/editor Jon has been out for the birth of his daughter, but we are back every week!!
Meet Avery Stevens, a remarkable 13-year-old rodeo competitor who's making her mark in breakaway roping, ribbon roping, and team roping events. Raised around horses her entire life but only recently diving into serious competition, Avery brings a refreshing perspective on what makes rodeo special.
Guided by her grandfather Larry Darnell, a respected figure in Southern Illinois roping circles, Avery has developed impressive skills that are taking her to the National Little Britches Rodeo at the prestigious Lazy E Arena. Her journey illustrates the unique blend of family tradition, mentorship, and personal determination that defines rodeo culture.
What stands out in this conversation is Avery's insight into the mental challenges of competition. "Sometimes it gets the best of me," she admits about backing into the box before a run. Her grandfather helps her navigate these challenges, recognizing that "your biggest opponent is yourself" – wisdom that applies far beyond the rodeo arena.
The special relationship between Avery and her horses – 8-year-old Vinny and 23-year-old Otis – reveals the deep bond that develops between riders and their equine partners. When asked what superpower she'd give her horses, Avery thoughtfully responds she'd want them to talk so she could understand what they're thinking.
Perhaps most striking is Avery's description of the rodeo community's supportive nature. Unlike many competitive sports, rodeo competitors actively help each other succeed, even when competing in the same events. This culture of mutual support, combined with the sport's accessibility across age groups, makes rodeo unique among youth sports.
Looking ahead, Avery plans to balance her rodeo pursuits with nursing school, following in her sister Abby's footsteps while continuing to rodeo "forever." Her story reminds us why rodeo remains such a powerful tradition – it's not just about winning, but about building character, community, and lifelong skills.
Listen to discover why this young competitor's journey matters and what we can all learn from her approach to both rodeo and life.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
I don't think that's true.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
It tastes like burnt dirt.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
No, it's Okay, that's debatable.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Yeah, starbucks coffee.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
It doesn't turn anybody's feet black.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
I don't know.
That's just what I was told.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
Her toes or toenails.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (00:24):
My cousin's kid's four years old.
He has coffee every morningwith his grandma, his
great-grandma.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
She said it's mainly creamer.
Oh, that's what mine is.
Mine's like this much coffeeand this much creamer.
I like creamer with a splash ofcoffee.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Yeah, we went to Starbucks last weekend.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Ooh Did you get like whipped cream and crushed.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Oreos no, Jessica got that, but I got a vanilla latte
.
Ew so good and I got one atMcDonald's.
I don't know if you can see it.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
At McDonald's.
Yeah, not is good.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
All right, we're sitting down with Avery Stevens
today, one of our sponsoredwriters.
How are you doing today, avery?
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Pretty good.
How are you, sir I?
Speaker 1 (01:22):
am doing good, even though we had to start a little
bit late and you were blamingyour grandma for that.
You doing today Avery Prettygood.
How are you, sir?
I am doing good, even though wehad to start a little bit late
and you were blaming yourgrandma for that.
Well, I forgot my shirt in myhouse and then we had a good
time.
We may need to turn hers up alittle, John, or?
Speaker 2 (01:41):
get a little, you can talk loud, avery.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
Okay.
So how old are you now?
I am 13.
Gosh, that makes me feel old.
And how long have you beenriding?
13 years now.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
You're right.
So I've been riding pretty muchmy whole life, but this was my
first.
Or, like the last season was myfirst serious year of rodeo.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
And what are you doing in rodeo?
Speaker 2 (01:59):
I break away ribbon rope and team rope.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
Okay, can you explain the ribbon roping?
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Yes, sir.
So ribbon roping is where Icome out of the box and I rope
the calf.
I have to dally and back up,and my partner Carson Little.
He runs out there and grabs theribbon off the cow's tail and
has to run back to the box forthe time to stop.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
So he starts on foot.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Yes, sir.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
From the box.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
From just out past the box.
Okay.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
And Carson is also your cousin.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
Yeah, carson's a good kid.
We'll be doing him before toolong in here too, so that'll be
fun.
So what's your favorite?
One of those that you do?
Speaker 2 (02:37):
I really like the team rope and breakaway.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
Yeah, you heading or heeling, or both.
I head.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
Carson heels for me.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
Oh, so he's your partner on that too.
Yes, sir, are you guys kickingbutt yet?
Speaker 2 (02:47):
We did pretty good this last season.
We had a few or I had a fewstruggles, but it all worked out
.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
What kind of struggles?
Speaker 2 (02:56):
So I just had problems with my rope in my
swing.
I had to get it fixed.
Speaker 1 (03:00):
Oh, and who fixed that?
Me and Papa?
Yeah, and Papa is Larry Darnell.
Yes, sir, he seems to be acommon theme with these podcasts
now.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
Talking about roping, it's kind of synonymous with
roping in Southern Illinois, andI think and I, when I was young
, in your age, I was ropingthere too.
He taught me.
So there's a bunch ofgenerations that he's taught,
which is awesome.
Yeah, so there's a bunch ofgenerations that he's taught,
which is awesome.
Yeah, so you basically livedthere in the summers, is that
right?
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Most of the time I lived three miles from their
house and every morning when momgoes to work, she just drops
you off there and I ride horseswith him all day.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
Awesome and we were just talking about earlier.
I offered you some coffee andyou denied it because of two
reasons it turns your toes blackand it tastes like burnt dirt
the burnt dirt.
I can see where you would thinkthat, but I don't know that it
turns your toes black.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
That's just what I was told.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
Okay, well, don't not that you need to drink coffee.
I think you've got enoughenergy for all of us, but don't
be scared of it because it turnsyour toes black, because I
don't think that's true okay, ittastes like burnt dirt, unless
you like, just drowned it outwith creamer well, that's pretty
good.
That's how you said you likeyour coffee, yes, coffee, or
creamer, creamer, with a splashof coffee.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
There you go.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
Who, uh, who you riding this year in?
Speaker 2 (04:18):
these rodeos I've been riding vinny and otis tell
us about vinny, we loveny.
We do love Vinny around here.
Vinny is eight years old.
I break away on him andsometimes I ribbon rope on him,
just depending on how theweekend's going and break away
(04:39):
he is the only one I use incompetition right now.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
Awesome, and Vinny, he was out of Kyle's mare.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Yes, he was out of Kyle Vineyard's mare.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
Okay, I remember when he was born.
Yes, I remember breeding her.
Yeah, yeah, I didn't realize itwas eight years ago.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Yeah, I remember when you were out there testing
everything.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
Yeah, and we bred her over at Barnes' in their stocks
, I think.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Yes, that's where he was foaled.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
Yeah, and she tried to kill me.
Oh, yeah, me and that maredidn't get along.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Yeah, I remember the first one.
She had the Woodrow cult.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Yeah, she didn't like you then either.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
No, where is she at now?
Speaker 2 (05:28):
I, you then either.
No, she, where is she at now?
Um, I don't really know she is.
He sold her to somebody and Ithink a kid was roping on her
there for a little while.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
Out west did she go to colorado or something?
I believe so I think so um.
So what are you doing on otis?
Otis I ribbon rope and teamrope on tell us about otis,
because he's pretty special,isn't he?
Speaker 2 (05:41):
Yeah, otis, he is 23 years old and I head on him.
And then the ribbon roping.
I just explained.
I rope on him whenever I'm notroping on Vinny.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
Okay, otis is still going pretty strong for 23 years
old.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
Yeah, he is he does pretty good for the most part.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
Yeah and I've.
I don't think I've ever seenyour grandpa like a horse as
much as Otis.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
Me neither.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
Yeah, Even old Spider-Man.
I think Otis may be the top one.
And he is, he's cool.
And he looks really good forhis age.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
Really good.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
So who are your heroes right now in the rodeo
world?
Do you have any that you lookup to and aspire to be, or
inspirations?
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Mostly my sister Abby .
Speaker 1 (06:30):
Yes, she has been brought up today too.
Yeah, she's somebody else'shero.
That's awesome.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Yeah, she's been out west roping a lot in Oklahoma
out of those pro rodeos.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
She doing good.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
She's this last run that she just got home from.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
She did really good at awesome how old's abby now
abby turned 22 on june 15th Iremember when abby came home
from the hospital yeah and larryyour grandpa was like you got
to meet my granddaughter and shewas literally a newborn and now
she's 22, yeah, and you knowhow old.
That makes me feel way too old,but she's, she's awesome.
(07:10):
You guys are very fortunate tohave your grandma and grandpa.
Yes, even though you weregiving her a hard time earlier I
love them to death yeah, hisbody's a saint.
If you could give vinny, asuperpower.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
A superpower A superpower.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
What would you give him?
Speaker 2 (07:28):
I don't know Probably to talk.
I would like to know what hethinks I like that answer.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
I wish he could talk too that way.
He comes in and says this hurts, right here, yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
I bet he did this makes it feel better.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
Yes, I wish they could talk sometimes.
What about Otis?
What do you think?
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Probably to talk.
He has more personality thansome people.
He does.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
He's funny.
I would give Otis the abilityto just live forever.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Oh my goodness, Me too.
Wouldn't that be awesome, itwould.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Like a tortoise.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Those things live forever Like a tortoise.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
Yeah, be as fast as a horse, but live as long as a
tortoise.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
That would be so cool yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
And I think are you going out to Oklahoma next week.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
Yep, I'm going to Bethre Oklahoma, next week.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
And that's the what's going on out there.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
The National Little Britches Rodeo.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
And that's at the Lazy E, right the Lazy E, and
you're doing those three events.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Yep Breakaway team.
Rope and river rope.
Speaker 1 (08:22):
Awesome.
Are you ready?
Are you going to kick some butt?
Speaker 2 (08:25):
Yeah, I'm excited yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
You have obviously winning.
That is probably a goal ofyours.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Yes, sir.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
And do you have any other goals this year, this
season, you'd like to accomplish?
Speaker 2 (08:36):
I would just like to rope.
Good, just keep roping.
Good, make sure my horses staygood.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Keep to stay good, just yeah, just better every day
.
Yes, sir, yeah that's, that's agood, good attitude to have
with this.
What is it like for youmentally when you back in the
box at these places?
Speaker 2 (08:53):
so mentally, um, sometimes it gets the best of me
, but me and papa do a lot of uh, talking about it, trying to
keep, because that is one oflike where I get beat.
A lot is in the mental game,not thinking.
Either you can't or just I.
Sometimes I get to think aboutso many other things that I
forget about that.
Speaker 1 (09:12):
Just go rope your cow yeah, because you're fully
capable, absolutely, and yourhorses are awesome yes, they are
you just gotta keep your headstraight?
Speaker 2 (09:20):
right, I'm very blessed to be riding what I've
got, pop, papa keeping me upalong the way, and my mom, she's
.
She's a champion, she is.
She's a good rodeo, mom, yes,she is and she puts up with you
and abby oh absolutely so.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
Um besides your sister, are there any um other
other people you really look upto or aspire to be?
Speaker 2 (09:42):
um, uh, I, I want to.
I would like to ride horses asgood as Papa.
Papa, he has good hands and Ilike the way he can teach them
to do a lot.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Is that something you'd want to do in the future?
Train horses, or what are youthinking after school?
You got any ideas, yet You'restill young.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
Yeah, I'm going to nursing school probably.
Speaker 1 (10:02):
Nursing, and that's what your sister's doing, right?
Speaker 2 (10:05):
Yes, sir, she just graduated art in school last
year.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
Awesome, and your mom and aunt.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
Yep, my mom and aunt.
Speaker 1 (10:11):
So it runs in the family Yep, that's awesome.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
I would like to keep rodeoing for as long I mean
forever, but I want to be anurse.
Speaker 1 (10:20):
Yeah, your little friend claire was here earlier.
Yes, sir, and I was talking toher about if she played any high
school sports or whatever.
But we got to talking about howrodeo something you can do the
rest of your life.
Yeah, you take care of yourself, yeah, so that's.
That's one cool thing yeah, younever grow out of it no, like a
lot, of a lot of the high schoolathletes.
I mean, their last high schoolfootball game, that's it, yeah,
(10:43):
and then they talk about thatgame for the rest of their lives
, right, which is kind of sad insome regards.
No offense to any high schoolfootball stars, but the sport of
rodeo is pretty cool and you'vebeen around it long enough.
We had a lady in here that'snew.
I can't think of her name.
She knows you guys, but she'snew to the, the rodeo world,
(11:03):
especially the youth world orthe youth Youth rodeos.
Yeah, but what she was reallytalking about was how much
everybody helps each other.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Yeah, it's really awesome because you'll have a
friend and you'll be roping inthe same event as your friend
and they'll come down there andhelp you in the box or push your
cow or whatever they can do tohelp you out lope down your
horse.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
Even though they're competing against you, right?
They?
Speaker 2 (11:28):
want you to do your best and you want them to do
their best.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
Yes, they do.
Yeah, that's awesome.
She was talking about how theother rodeo parents help them,
because they didn't know thatmuch, even though their kids
competing against theirs.
I think that's really, reallycool, because some of the other
sports I know, I mean it'spretty cutthroat.
Yeah, I mean there's teams,obviously, but especially when
it gets to where scholarshipsand stuff are involved, I mean
(11:49):
people are pretty brutal, yeah,and it seems like the rodeo
world is, I don't know how toput it, but more encouraging,
yes, for everybody.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
Yeah, and like Claire's mom and my mom even
though me and Claire are open inthe same event they would do
anything they could for eitherone of us.
Yeah, and everybody's that way.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
Yeah, that's awesome.
So what do you remember?
The first rodeo or horse showthat you won or really
accomplished something that madeyou step back and be like I did
it?
Speaker 2 (12:23):
So there was one weekend and I was for a long
time and kind of still am.
I was big on, if pawpaw isn'tthere, I don't know about this,
I don't know about this.
And there was a weekend he hadto leave and go somewhere and um
, he was gone the whole week.
I was preparing and gettingready.
So it was my sister and mygrandma and my mom and I was
like, guys, pawpaw's not here,pawpaw's not here, and um, I
(12:45):
went that weekend and won thebreakaway oh nice, how old were
you?
Speaker 1 (12:48):
when was that?
It was last year, oh nice and Iwas still roping on spider-man
oh yeah, I miss spider-man metoo yeah, he did not like me
either he didn't no, he'd cringeevery time he sees me.
Yeah, yeah, he'd be like oh,he's good to stab me with a
needle but he was awesome.
Speaker 2 (13:04):
I always liked him yeah, he pretty much just did it
for you.
All you had to do is throw yourrope yeah, and he was tough too
yeah he was yeah, that's whenhe didn't feel good.
Then he got a little whiny yeah, but he had reason.
Speaker 1 (13:17):
Yeah, he did.
He was.
That was a tough one.
That was, uh, you know, thosesituations happen lot, but when
it's horses like that, it sucks,yeah.
But so what else is going on?
You're going to school, notright now in summer.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
I'll be going into eighth grade.
I've homeschooled for the lastfour years and I'm going to
homeschool this next year.
I really like that.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
Yeah, that gives you a lot of time to.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
I do my schoolwork in the morning, and then in the
afternoon I go and help do youhave plans to go to a school?
Speaker 1 (13:56):
are you going to homeschool all the way do?
Speaker 2 (13:57):
you know, yet I don't know um.
We talk about it and of course,but I don't know yeah, well,
you got time to decide.
Speaker 1 (14:05):
Yeah, you would go to Glacier, right?
Speaker 2 (14:09):
um, I go to Glacier but, like Carson and Logan, all
of them go to the oh, theChristian school in in
Harrisburg, in Harrisburg,that's right.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
Is that where you'd think you'd go?
Speaker 2 (14:18):
if you do go to, uh, probably if I was to go back to
um like yeah, I know what you'retrying to say Physical school.
Right.
Speaker 1 (14:29):
Yeah, it seems like I remember a lot of wasted time
in school.
Speaker 2 (14:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
Like a lot.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
Yeah, um, I was going to, or I go to a co-op on
Tuesdays and I'm there from likeuh 830.
We start and I'm done at likethree 30.
And I remember coming home andtelling mom I was like mom, they
give you an hour for lunch.
We could be doing school.
Speaker 1 (14:50):
Right, yeah, I remember mom and dad are going
to Portugal and I was tellingher I don't even think I could
pick out Portugal on a map.
And I can't, because I triedand she goes.
I forgot what she said.
But basically you know, I tookall those classes and I got
nothing, and then a lot of theclasses.
(15:12):
I remember in high school theygive you and some teachers were
better than others, but a lot ofthem would give you your
assignment for the 50 minutesyou're in class and you can
knock that out in 10 minutes andyou sit there and just piddle
and waste your time.
So it sounds like you're makingthe most of your time.
Does Larry make you do push-upstoo?
Speaker 2 (15:34):
Oh my gosh, I had to do push-ups the other night.
So in breakaway you break tothe pin because it gives you
your fastest shot, the quickesttime you can.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
Explain that break to the pin.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Okay, so the chute sits here, the box sits here,
and then you sit at to a likekind of to the left, so that you
can break to the front of thechute and the cow leaves, and so
you're right behind it.
That's your fastest shot and,um, I was not breaking to the
pin.
So he brings this barrel and hesits this barrel in the middle
(16:05):
of it and he goes this barrelshouldn't be in your way if you
break to the pin, and my uncle,casey, casey little, he goes if
you hit the pit, if you hit thebarrel, it's 20 push-ups.
Speaker 1 (16:13):
I went out there and smoked the barrel oh no, did you
do all 20 push-ups I?
Speaker 2 (16:17):
had to do 20 push-ups and I did.
I did them all, that's good,I've done.
Speaker 1 (16:21):
I've done a lot of push-ups in that arena.
Were you outside?
Speaker 2 (16:23):
um no, we were at wildfire just getting some
practice.
Speaker 1 (16:26):
But oh yeah, we, we do push-ups all the time yeah,
and I remember larry alwaystelling me he had an 87 year old
grandma that could swing a ropefaster than my 98 year old
grandma could swing a ropefaster than that I've been there
.
Oh, that's funny.
But how, um, how do you feelwhen I I mean a lot of your
(16:48):
friends come there to hang outlike claire spends right?
Speaker 2 (16:50):
weeks at my house?
Yeah, how?
awesome is that oh, it's reallycool.
So we will like a rope all day.
We'll ride our colts in them,or we'll ride our good horses in
the morning.
Why it's cool, we'll ride coltsin the afternoon.
We break away calves, we ropethe dummies, we team rope it's
uh, team rope and dummy.
And then we like go to my houseat night and just hang out once
(17:11):
we get all the feeding done andstuff and it's really fun
because she's there with meroping and riding and stuff, and
then we just go hang out atnight yeah, that's, that's
awesome yeah, it's really funyeah I remember, you know,
having sleepovers here and therewith cousins and stuff.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
We never got to do that much cool stuff.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
Yeah, she was at my house for like seven days in a
row last week.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
She's like your little sister.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
Yeah, she is.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
And your mom probably loves her too, right oh?
Speaker 2 (17:36):
my mom loves it.
My dad and Claire are big buds.
Speaker 1 (17:39):
Are they?
Yes, I haven't seen your dad inforever.
I haven't seen your mom in along time.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
Yeah, she's been working and getting ready to go
to nationals, trying to getstuff packed.
Speaker 1 (17:50):
Who all is going with you out there.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
So Grandma and Papa, me and my mom, then Carson,
logan, jen and Casey, and that'sall of our group.
Speaker 1 (18:03):
Does your dad not get to go?
Speaker 2 (18:05):
Oh no, dad's not going out there.
I don't know if he'll come outfor a few days or not.
Speaker 1 (18:08):
He just can't go the whole time Right.
How far a drive is that fromhere?
Speaker 2 (18:13):
I think it's like 10-something hours.
That's not too bad.
Speaker 1 (18:17):
What kind of snacks do you pack on the road?
Speaker 2 (18:19):
Snacks, it depends.
So Papa doesn't like to stop alot, so you can put it all in
the truck when you can he's kindof leave and we get there.
I like popcorn a lot.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
Popcorn.
I think Claire said she likesto pack chips.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
Chips, yes, and sunflower seeds.
We ate a whole bag on the wayto Oklahoma last summer.
Speaker 1 (18:40):
How big was the bag?
Speaker 2 (18:41):
A big one, it was like a normal bag.
Speaker 1 (18:44):
Do you eat the shells ?
Speaker 2 (18:45):
No, you're supposed to spit the shells out.
Speaker 1 (18:48):
I know it just seems like something you would do is
eat the shells.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
I used to eat the peanut shells.
See, I knew it when I waslittle.
Speaker 1 (18:54):
I knew it.
I knew it.
I love sunflower seeds too, butthen I end up making a mess in
my truck.
Speaker 2 (18:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
I try to put them in a cup or throw them out the
window and they blow back in.
Speaker 2 (19:04):
Yeah, so every once in a while me and Abby will go
rope somewhere else and her andKyle always have sunflower seeds
and they always have a bottleand everything.
We were driving down the road.
Last time we went to rope andwe would roll down the window
and see who could hold thesunflower seed on their finger
the longest.
Speaker 1 (19:23):
There's never a dull moment with you guys, never, oh,
so what?
Speaker 2 (19:37):
would you say to somebody, because you started,
when did you?
Start like competing and stufflike serious rodeoing well, just
even like horse shows or thelittle stuff oh, I don't know, a
while ago like as long as youcan remember, probably yeah,
probably I've like I would go torodeos here and there like some
just youth rodeos summer series.
Speaker 1 (19:55):
Um, probably three years ago I started doing that,
just like going to little summerseries and stuff yeah, if
there's anybody out therelistening that maybe has a horse
but maybe doesn't compete andstuff like that, what would you
tell them as far as steppingfrom just kind of horses as a
hobby to horses as something youcan compete on and pursue, like
(20:18):
that?
Speaker 2 (20:19):
so there's going to be lots of tough moments, but
trust me, you can get through ityeah, and finding a good mentor
and coach is super important,right?
Yes, and don't let your mentalget the best of you, because
you're, you are your.
Most of the time, your biggestopponent, yep, is yourself yeah,
and that's true with, withanything right whether it's even
(20:40):
when you go to nursing school,right same thing.
Speaker 1 (20:43):
I mean, abby's probably got stories about that
for you oh my gosh.
Speaker 2 (20:45):
She used to come home every night with a different
story.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
Yeah, and lots of tests.
I'm assuming Mm-hmm, but you'vegot a good head on your
shoulders.
I think you'll do it.
You want to go to SIC, like shedid the junior college?
Speaker 2 (21:00):
Probably it depends if I want a college rodeo or not
, where I'll go.
Oh, I didn't even think aboutthat?
Speaker 1 (21:05):
where would you, where would you want to go?
Have you looked into it,thought about it?
Speaker 2 (21:07):
no, you got.
I mean, there's always likemurray and all them, but there's
all kinds of places yeah, youruncle casey went to murray.
Speaker 1 (21:14):
Yes, didn't he?
Speaker 2 (21:15):
yes, I think so.
Yeah, he's from down there, andhazel yeah, that's right.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
Yeah, he's a good dude he is.
I'm gonna here.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
Oh, he has.
Yeah, that's what you can do.
He's helped me the last threedays out at Wildfire getting
ready to go to Nationals.
Speaker 1 (21:32):
Yeah, Ricky was in here the other day and he said,
you guys were up there.
Speaker 2 (21:35):
Ricky yeah, practicing.
He's a pretty good guy too.
Yeah, we like Ricky.
Speaker 1 (21:48):
Yeah, he's Ricky Joey , that's his name yeah, how cool
is wildfire?
Speaker 2 (21:50):
I've never been there yet, oh, but I've seen all the
pictures.
It looks awesome.
It is so like there's the arenaand it's covered and it's got
like the boxes and stuff and thebuck and shoots.
They just installed buck andshoots oh, wow yeah, and they
have barrel races out there allthe time and, um, you can go in
there for like five dollars ahorse to ride like on practice
nights and stuff like any night,oh really.
And then like you can go therefor like $5 a horse to ride Like
on practice nights and stuffLike any night oh really.
And then, like you can bringcows, we brought our cows, we
(22:12):
brought some of Uncle Casey'scows out there and we broke them
in and we roped them for a fewdays and they have.
They were building new stalls.
Speaker 1 (22:20):
Yeah, like 50, some odd or something right.
Speaker 2 (22:22):
Yeah, they just built new stalls.
They have a putt-putt course,they have a trail course, they
have a big old playground.
Speaker 1 (22:28):
That's awesome, because a lot of these people
well, they do a lot of stuffwith little kids too, like dummy
ropings and stuff right, yeah,the Wildfire, like the youth
series, is a lot of it's justkids, so there's a lot of little
kids or peewees.
Yeah, that's awesome.
They put all that other stuffout there for them, because when
you go to these events andthere's a lot of downtime
(22:49):
between your runs, what, what doyou do?
Speaker 2 (22:52):
and the downtime.
I usually, if I have downtime,I'm hanging out with my friends,
because a lot of my friends arefrom different states and stuff
because we rodeo in differentstates, so I meet kids from all
over the place yeah, that's,that's cool.
Speaker 1 (23:06):
Lucky Wildfire is there.
Speaker 2 (23:09):
So I was a little sibling who used to go to all
the junior high, all the highschool rodeos, and I know what
it's like to just like sit there.
Speaker 1 (23:14):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (23:15):
So yeah, it's really fun.
I would have friends from someof the kids at Abbeywood Rodeo.
They had little siblings andstuff, but I know what it's like
so I like that they have that,because even um, whenever I'm
not roping and stuff, me and myfriends will take some kids and
we'll go play at the playgroundand we'll go play puck and putt
golf and all that kind of yeah,that's, that's really cool.
Speaker 1 (23:36):
What's the funnest place you've ever been to
besides wildfire?
Speaker 2 (23:40):
oh so the flickerwood , the little bridges, that is
probably my favorite rodeo I goto.
Speaker 1 (23:45):
How come?
Speaker 2 (23:46):
All my friends are there.
All my friends are there.
We have the hotel just down theroad.
We can go swim, we go out todinner.
There's lots of spots in Cape.
It's pretty big, so we justhang out there yeah that's cool.
Speaker 1 (24:04):
Where's the biggest arena you've ever got to compete
in?
Speaker 2 (24:08):
Probably so.
I did not rope here but theRiata Buckle where my sister
went.
It was Lazy E that's probablythe biggest arena I've ever been
in.
Speaker 1 (24:15):
And you're going to be in there next week.
Speaker 2 (24:17):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
Are you excited?
Speaker 2 (24:18):
or nervous.
I am super excited.
Speaker 1 (24:20):
Yeah, I think you're going to kick butt.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
I hope so.
Speaker 1 (24:22):
We have faith in you.
And did you see all this stuffon the table?
Back here.
Speaker 2 (24:26):
Yeah, I did when I walked in.
Speaker 1 (24:28):
Yeah, you get to take all this home, yeah.
So when we decided that wewanted to sponsor kids, we
reached out to some of thesedrug companies we work with and
we told them what we were doingand the response we got was
awesome.
They loved it.
And the next thing we knowwe're getting boxes and boxes of
(24:48):
stuff to give you guys.
Naltrex sent some hats and somecool stuff.
Pulse Vet you've probably seena Shockwave, vinny.
Speaker 2 (24:56):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (24:57):
They sent backpacks and T-shirts, and then there's a
tub of the Protec GI, whichwould probably be a good idea to
give your horses while you'reout there, because the stress of
traveling can really reallyhurt their tummies.
Speaker 2 (25:10):
They're going to be out there for a week.
Speaker 1 (25:12):
Yeah, when do you guys leave?
Speaker 2 (25:14):
We're leaving Wednesday or Thursday next week.
Speaker 1 (25:16):
And you'll be there for a whole week.
Speaker 2 (25:18):
Yes, yeah.
Speaker 1 (25:19):
So that's trailer time.
That's a whole new environment.
So I mean stress in horses.
Horses, I mean just like it's ahead game for you, it's got to
be.
I always think, when we bringhorses in here, like what, like,
like you said, if vinny couldtalk, I just wonder what he
thinks when he walks insometimes he's like I ain't
going in there it's like they'regonna put needles in me or do
(25:39):
something, but but taking careof their stomach is is super
important, because if they'vegot a bellyache they can.
Can you know, if you want to win?
They got to perform their best.
Speaker 2 (25:48):
Really mess things up yeah.
Speaker 1 (25:50):
So you've got that you can take the finals and all
this cool stuff.
So you can't have this stuffbecause it's for display, but
we've got your backpack stuffedover there and your tub of
Pro-Tex, so we appreciate youaccepting the sponsorship.
Speaker 2 (26:05):
Thank you guys so much.
Speaker 1 (26:06):
I know you'll represent us well.
Speaker 2 (26:08):
Yes, sir.
Speaker 1 (26:09):
And thank you so much for taking the time to be here.
Speaker 2 (26:12):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (26:15):
Even though, according to you, your grandma
made you late.
But so good luck out there.
Have fun, I will, and rope fast.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
I'm going to try.
Speaker 1 (26:25):
Keep your head clear, keep my head clear and we want
to hear all about it when youget back too.
All right, all right, so thanksagain.
Speaker 2 (26:32):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (26:32):
Avery and thanks for tuning in and until next time,
take care of your horses andyourself.
I don't think that's true.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
It tastes like burnt dirt.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
No, it's Okay, that's debatable.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Yeah, starbucks coffee.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
It doesn't turn anybody's feet black.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
I don't know.
That's just what I was told.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
Her toes or toenails.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (00:24):
My cousin's kid's four years old.
He has coffee every morningwith his grandma, his
great-grandma.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
She said it's mainly creamer.
Oh, that's what mine is.
Mine's like this much coffeeand this much creamer.
I like creamer with a splash ofcoffee.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Yeah, we went to Starbucks last weekend.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Ooh Did you get like whipped cream and crushed.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Oreos no, Jessica got that, but I got a vanilla latte
.
Ew so good and I got one atMcDonald's.
I don't know if you can see it.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
At McDonald's.
Yeah, not is good.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
All right, we're sitting down with Avery Stevens
today, one of our sponsoredwriters.
How are you doing today, avery?
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Pretty good.
How are you, sir I?
Speaker 1 (01:22):
am doing good, even though we had to start a little
bit late and you were blamingyour grandma for that.
You doing today Avery Prettygood.
How are you, sir?
I am doing good, even though wehad to start a little bit late
and you were blaming yourgrandma for that.
Well, I forgot my shirt in myhouse and then we had a good
time.
We may need to turn hers up alittle, John, or?
Speaker 2 (01:41):
get a little, you can talk loud, avery.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
Okay.
So how old are you now?
I am 13.
Gosh, that makes me feel old.
And how long have you beenriding?
13 years now.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
You're right.
So I've been riding pretty muchmy whole life, but this was my
first.
Or, like the last season was myfirst serious year of rodeo.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
And what are you doing in rodeo?
Speaker 2 (01:59):
I break away ribbon rope and team rope.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
Okay, can you explain the ribbon roping?
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Yes, sir.
So ribbon roping is where Icome out of the box and I rope
the calf.
I have to dally and back up,and my partner Carson Little.
He runs out there and grabs theribbon off the cow's tail and
has to run back to the box forthe time to stop.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
So he starts on foot.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Yes, sir.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
From the box.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
From just out past the box.
Okay.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
And Carson is also your cousin.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
Yeah, carson's a good kid.
We'll be doing him before toolong in here too, so that'll be
fun.
So what's your favorite?
One of those that you do?
Speaker 2 (02:37):
I really like the team rope and breakaway.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
Yeah, you heading or heeling, or both.
I head.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
Carson heels for me.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
Oh, so he's your partner on that too.
Yes, sir, are you guys kickingbutt yet?
Speaker 2 (02:47):
We did pretty good this last season.
We had a few or I had a fewstruggles, but it all worked out
.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
What kind of struggles?
Speaker 2 (02:56):
So I just had problems with my rope in my
swing.
I had to get it fixed.
Speaker 1 (03:00):
Oh, and who fixed that?
Me and Papa?
Yeah, and Papa is Larry Darnell.
Yes, sir, he seems to be acommon theme with these podcasts
now.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
Talking about roping, it's kind of synonymous with
roping in Southern Illinois, andI think and I, when I was young
, in your age, I was ropingthere too.
He taught me.
So there's a bunch ofgenerations that he's taught,
which is awesome.
Yeah, so there's a bunch ofgenerations that he's taught,
which is awesome.
Yeah, so you basically livedthere in the summers, is that
right?
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Most of the time I lived three miles from their
house and every morning when momgoes to work, she just drops
you off there and I ride horseswith him all day.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
Awesome and we were just talking about earlier.
I offered you some coffee andyou denied it because of two
reasons it turns your toes blackand it tastes like burnt dirt
the burnt dirt.
I can see where you would thinkthat, but I don't know that it
turns your toes black.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
That's just what I was told.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
Okay, well, don't not that you need to drink coffee.
I think you've got enoughenergy for all of us, but don't
be scared of it because it turnsyour toes black, because I
don't think that's true okay, ittastes like burnt dirt, unless
you like, just drowned it outwith creamer well, that's pretty
good.
That's how you said you likeyour coffee, yes, coffee, or
creamer, creamer, with a splashof coffee.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
There you go.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
Who, uh, who you riding this year in?
Speaker 2 (04:18):
these rodeos I've been riding vinny and otis tell
us about vinny, we loveny.
We do love Vinny around here.
Vinny is eight years old.
I break away on him andsometimes I ribbon rope on him,
just depending on how theweekend's going and break away
(04:39):
he is the only one I use incompetition right now.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
Awesome, and Vinny, he was out of Kyle's mare.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Yes, he was out of Kyle Vineyard's mare.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
Okay, I remember when he was born.
Yes, I remember breeding her.
Yeah, yeah, I didn't realize itwas eight years ago.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Yeah, I remember when you were out there testing
everything.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
Yeah, and we bred her over at Barnes' in their stocks
, I think.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Yes, that's where he was foaled.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
Yeah, and she tried to kill me.
Oh, yeah, me and that maredidn't get along.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Yeah, I remember the first one.
She had the Woodrow cult.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Yeah, she didn't like you then either.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
No, where is she at now?
Speaker 2 (05:28):
I, you then either.
No, she, where is she at now?
Um, I don't really know she is.
He sold her to somebody and Ithink a kid was roping on her
there for a little while.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
Out west did she go to colorado or something?
I believe so I think so um.
So what are you doing on otis?
Otis I ribbon rope and teamrope on tell us about otis,
because he's pretty special,isn't he?
Speaker 2 (05:41):
Yeah, otis, he is 23 years old and I head on him.
And then the ribbon roping.
I just explained.
I rope on him whenever I'm notroping on Vinny.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
Okay, otis is still going pretty strong for 23 years
old.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
Yeah, he is he does pretty good for the most part.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
Yeah and I've.
I don't think I've ever seenyour grandpa like a horse as
much as Otis.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
Me neither.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
Yeah, Even old Spider-Man.
I think Otis may be the top one.
And he is, he's cool.
And he looks really good forhis age.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
Really good.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
So who are your heroes right now in the rodeo
world?
Do you have any that you lookup to and aspire to be, or
inspirations?
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Mostly my sister Abby .
Speaker 1 (06:30):
Yes, she has been brought up today too.
Yeah, she's somebody else'shero.
That's awesome.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Yeah, she's been out west roping a lot in Oklahoma
out of those pro rodeos.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
She doing good.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
She's this last run that she just got home from.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
She did really good at awesome how old's abby now
abby turned 22 on june 15th Iremember when abby came home
from the hospital yeah and larryyour grandpa was like you got
to meet my granddaughter and shewas literally a newborn and now
she's 22, yeah, and you knowhow old.
That makes me feel way too old,but she's, she's awesome.
(07:10):
You guys are very fortunate tohave your grandma and grandpa.
Yes, even though you weregiving her a hard time earlier I
love them to death yeah, hisbody's a saint.
If you could give vinny, asuperpower.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
A superpower A superpower.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
What would you give him?
Speaker 2 (07:28):
I don't know Probably to talk.
I would like to know what hethinks I like that answer.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
I wish he could talk too that way.
He comes in and says this hurts, right here, yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
I bet he did this makes it feel better.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
Yes, I wish they could talk sometimes.
What about Otis?
What do you think?
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Probably to talk.
He has more personality thansome people.
He does.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
He's funny.
I would give Otis the abilityto just live forever.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Oh my goodness, Me too.
Wouldn't that be awesome, itwould.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Like a tortoise.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Those things live forever Like a tortoise.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
Yeah, be as fast as a horse, but live as long as a
tortoise.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
That would be so cool yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
And I think are you going out to Oklahoma next week.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
Yep, I'm going to Bethre Oklahoma, next week.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
And that's the what's going on out there.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
The National Little Britches Rodeo.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
And that's at the Lazy E, right the Lazy E, and
you're doing those three events.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Yep Breakaway team.
Rope and river rope.
Speaker 1 (08:22):
Awesome.
Are you ready?
Are you going to kick some butt?
Speaker 2 (08:25):
Yeah, I'm excited yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
You have obviously winning.
That is probably a goal ofyours.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Yes, sir.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
And do you have any other goals this year, this
season, you'd like to accomplish?
Speaker 2 (08:36):
I would just like to rope.
Good, just keep roping.
Good, make sure my horses staygood.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Keep to stay good, just yeah, just better every day
.
Yes, sir, yeah that's, that's agood, good attitude to have
with this.
What is it like for youmentally when you back in the
box at these places?
Speaker 2 (08:53):
so mentally, um, sometimes it gets the best of me
, but me and papa do a lot of uh, talking about it, trying to
keep, because that is one oflike where I get beat.
A lot is in the mental game,not thinking.
Either you can't or just I.
Sometimes I get to think aboutso many other things that I
forget about that.
Speaker 1 (09:12):
Just go rope your cow yeah, because you're fully
capable, absolutely, and yourhorses are awesome yes, they are
you just gotta keep your headstraight?
Speaker 2 (09:20):
right, I'm very blessed to be riding what I've
got, pop, papa keeping me upalong the way, and my mom, she's
.
She's a champion, she is.
She's a good rodeo, mom, yes,she is and she puts up with you
and abby oh absolutely so.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
Um besides your sister, are there any um other
other people you really look upto or aspire to be?
Speaker 2 (09:42):
um, uh, I, I want to.
I would like to ride horses asgood as Papa.
Papa, he has good hands and Ilike the way he can teach them
to do a lot.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Is that something you'd want to do in the future?
Train horses, or what are youthinking after school?
You got any ideas, yet You'restill young.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
Yeah, I'm going to nursing school probably.
Speaker 1 (10:02):
Nursing, and that's what your sister's doing, right?
Speaker 2 (10:05):
Yes, sir, she just graduated art in school last
year.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
Awesome, and your mom and aunt.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
Yep, my mom and aunt.
Speaker 1 (10:11):
So it runs in the family Yep, that's awesome.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
I would like to keep rodeoing for as long I mean
forever, but I want to be anurse.
Speaker 1 (10:20):
Yeah, your little friend claire was here earlier.
Yes, sir, and I was talking toher about if she played any high
school sports or whatever.
But we got to talking about howrodeo something you can do the
rest of your life.
Yeah, you take care of yourself, yeah, so that's.
That's one cool thing yeah, younever grow out of it no, like a
lot, of a lot of the high schoolathletes.
I mean, their last high schoolfootball game, that's it, yeah,
(10:43):
and then they talk about thatgame for the rest of their lives
, right, which is kind of sad insome regards.
No offense to any high schoolfootball stars, but the sport of
rodeo is pretty cool and you'vebeen around it long enough.
We had a lady in here that'snew.
I can't think of her name.
She knows you guys, but she'snew to the, the rodeo world,
(11:03):
especially the youth world orthe youth Youth rodeos.
Yeah, but what she was reallytalking about was how much
everybody helps each other.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Yeah, it's really awesome because you'll have a
friend and you'll be roping inthe same event as your friend
and they'll come down there andhelp you in the box or push your
cow or whatever they can do tohelp you out lope down your
horse.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
Even though they're competing against you, right?
They?
Speaker 2 (11:28):
want you to do your best and you want them to do
their best.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
Yes, they do.
Yeah, that's awesome.
She was talking about how theother rodeo parents help them,
because they didn't know thatmuch, even though their kids
competing against theirs.
I think that's really, reallycool, because some of the other
sports I know, I mean it'spretty cutthroat.
Yeah, I mean there's teams,obviously, but especially when
it gets to where scholarshipsand stuff are involved, I mean
(11:49):
people are pretty brutal, yeah,and it seems like the rodeo
world is, I don't know how toput it, but more encouraging,
yes, for everybody.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
Yeah, and like Claire's mom and my mom even
though me and Claire are open inthe same event they would do
anything they could for eitherone of us.
Yeah, and everybody's that way.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
Yeah, that's awesome.
So what do you remember?
The first rodeo or horse showthat you won or really
accomplished something that madeyou step back and be like I did
it?
Speaker 2 (12:23):
So there was one weekend and I was for a long
time and kind of still am.
I was big on, if pawpaw isn'tthere, I don't know about this,
I don't know about this.
And there was a weekend he hadto leave and go somewhere and um
, he was gone the whole week.
I was preparing and gettingready.
So it was my sister and mygrandma and my mom and I was
like, guys, pawpaw's not here,pawpaw's not here, and um, I
(12:45):
went that weekend and won thebreakaway oh nice, how old were
you?
Speaker 1 (12:48):
when was that?
It was last year, oh nice and Iwas still roping on spider-man
oh yeah, I miss spider-man metoo yeah, he did not like me
either he didn't no, he'd cringeevery time he sees me.
Yeah, yeah, he'd be like oh,he's good to stab me with a
needle but he was awesome.
Speaker 2 (13:04):
I always liked him yeah, he pretty much just did it
for you.
All you had to do is throw yourrope yeah, and he was tough too
yeah he was yeah, that's whenhe didn't feel good.
Then he got a little whiny yeah, but he had reason.
Speaker 1 (13:17):
Yeah, he did.
He was.
That was a tough one.
That was, uh, you know, thosesituations happen lot, but when
it's horses like that, it sucks,yeah.
But so what else is going on?
You're going to school, notright now in summer.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
I'll be going into eighth grade.
I've homeschooled for the lastfour years and I'm going to
homeschool this next year.
I really like that.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
Yeah, that gives you a lot of time to.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
I do my schoolwork in the morning, and then in the
afternoon I go and help do youhave plans to go to a school?
Speaker 1 (13:56):
are you going to homeschool all the way do?
Speaker 2 (13:57):
you know, yet I don't know um.
We talk about it and of course,but I don't know yeah, well,
you got time to decide.
Speaker 1 (14:05):
Yeah, you would go to Glacier, right?
Speaker 2 (14:09):
um, I go to Glacier but, like Carson and Logan, all
of them go to the oh, theChristian school in in
Harrisburg, in Harrisburg,that's right.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
Is that where you'd think you'd go?
Speaker 2 (14:18):
if you do go to, uh, probably if I was to go back to
um like yeah, I know what you'retrying to say Physical school.
Right.
Speaker 1 (14:29):
Yeah, it seems like I remember a lot of wasted time
in school.
Speaker 2 (14:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
Like a lot.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
Yeah, um, I was going to, or I go to a co-op on
Tuesdays and I'm there from likeuh 830.
We start and I'm done at likethree 30.
And I remember coming home andtelling mom I was like mom, they
give you an hour for lunch.
We could be doing school.
Speaker 1 (14:50):
Right, yeah, I remember mom and dad are going
to Portugal and I was tellingher I don't even think I could
pick out Portugal on a map.
And I can't, because I triedand she goes.
I forgot what she said.
But basically you know, I tookall those classes and I got
nothing, and then a lot of theclasses.
(15:12):
I remember in high school theygive you and some teachers were
better than others, but a lot ofthem would give you your
assignment for the 50 minutesyou're in class and you can
knock that out in 10 minutes andyou sit there and just piddle
and waste your time.
So it sounds like you're makingthe most of your time.
Does Larry make you do push-upstoo?
Speaker 2 (15:34):
Oh my gosh, I had to do push-ups the other night.
So in breakaway you break tothe pin because it gives you
your fastest shot, the quickesttime you can.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
Explain that break to the pin.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Okay, so the chute sits here, the box sits here,
and then you sit at to a likekind of to the left, so that you
can break to the front of thechute and the cow leaves, and so
you're right behind it.
That's your fastest shot and,um, I was not breaking to the
pin.
So he brings this barrel and hesits this barrel in the middle
(16:05):
of it and he goes this barrelshouldn't be in your way if you
break to the pin, and my uncle,casey, casey little, he goes if
you hit the pit, if you hit thebarrel, it's 20 push-ups.
Speaker 1 (16:13):
I went out there and smoked the barrel oh no, did you
do all 20 push-ups I?
Speaker 2 (16:17):
had to do 20 push-ups and I did.
I did them all, that's good,I've done.
Speaker 1 (16:21):
I've done a lot of push-ups in that arena.
Were you outside?
Speaker 2 (16:23):
um no, we were at wildfire just getting some
practice.
Speaker 1 (16:26):
But oh yeah, we, we do push-ups all the time yeah,
and I remember larry alwaystelling me he had an 87 year old
grandma that could swing a ropefaster than my 98 year old
grandma could swing a ropefaster than that I've been there
.
Oh, that's funny.
But how, um, how do you feelwhen I I mean a lot of your
(16:48):
friends come there to hang outlike claire spends right?
Speaker 2 (16:50):
weeks at my house?
Yeah, how?
awesome is that oh, it's reallycool.
So we will like a rope all day.
We'll ride our colts in them,or we'll ride our good horses in
the morning.
Why it's cool, we'll ride coltsin the afternoon.
We break away calves, we ropethe dummies, we team rope it's
uh, team rope and dummy.
And then we like go to my houseat night and just hang out once
(17:11):
we get all the feeding done andstuff and it's really fun
because she's there with meroping and riding and stuff, and
then we just go hang out atnight yeah, that's, that's
awesome yeah, it's really funyeah I remember, you know,
having sleepovers here and therewith cousins and stuff.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
We never got to do that much cool stuff.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
Yeah, she was at my house for like seven days in a
row last week.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
She's like your little sister.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
Yeah, she is.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
And your mom probably loves her too, right oh?
Speaker 2 (17:36):
my mom loves it.
My dad and Claire are big buds.
Speaker 1 (17:39):
Are they?
Yes, I haven't seen your dad inforever.
I haven't seen your mom in along time.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
Yeah, she's been working and getting ready to go
to nationals, trying to getstuff packed.
Speaker 1 (17:50):
Who all is going with you out there.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
So Grandma and Papa, me and my mom, then Carson,
logan, jen and Casey, and that'sall of our group.
Speaker 1 (18:03):
Does your dad not get to go?
Speaker 2 (18:05):
Oh no, dad's not going out there.
I don't know if he'll come outfor a few days or not.
Speaker 1 (18:08):
He just can't go the whole time Right.
How far a drive is that fromhere?
Speaker 2 (18:13):
I think it's like 10-something hours.
That's not too bad.
Speaker 1 (18:17):
What kind of snacks do you pack on the road?
Speaker 2 (18:19):
Snacks, it depends.
So Papa doesn't like to stop alot, so you can put it all in
the truck when you can he's kindof leave and we get there.
I like popcorn a lot.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
Popcorn.
I think Claire said she likesto pack chips.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
Chips, yes, and sunflower seeds.
We ate a whole bag on the wayto Oklahoma last summer.
Speaker 1 (18:40):
How big was the bag?
Speaker 2 (18:41):
A big one, it was like a normal bag.
Speaker 1 (18:44):
Do you eat the shells ?
Speaker 2 (18:45):
No, you're supposed to spit the shells out.
Speaker 1 (18:48):
I know it just seems like something you would do is
eat the shells.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
I used to eat the peanut shells.
See, I knew it when I waslittle.
Speaker 1 (18:54):
I knew it.
I knew it.
I love sunflower seeds too, butthen I end up making a mess in
my truck.
Speaker 2 (18:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
I try to put them in a cup or throw them out the
window and they blow back in.
Speaker 2 (19:04):
Yeah, so every once in a while me and Abby will go
rope somewhere else and her andKyle always have sunflower seeds
and they always have a bottleand everything.
We were driving down the road.
Last time we went to rope andwe would roll down the window
and see who could hold thesunflower seed on their finger
the longest.
Speaker 1 (19:23):
There's never a dull moment with you guys, never, oh,
so what?
Speaker 2 (19:37):
would you say to somebody, because you started,
when did you?
Start like competing and stufflike serious rodeoing well, just
even like horse shows or thelittle stuff oh, I don't know, a
while ago like as long as youcan remember, probably yeah,
probably I've like I would go torodeos here and there like some
just youth rodeos summer series.
Speaker 1 (19:55):
Um, probably three years ago I started doing that,
just like going to little summerseries and stuff yeah, if
there's anybody out therelistening that maybe has a horse
but maybe doesn't compete andstuff like that, what would you
tell them as far as steppingfrom just kind of horses as a
hobby to horses as something youcan compete on and pursue, like
(20:18):
that?
Speaker 2 (20:19):
so there's going to be lots of tough moments, but
trust me, you can get through ityeah, and finding a good mentor
and coach is super important,right?
Yes, and don't let your mentalget the best of you, because
you're, you are your.
Most of the time, your biggestopponent, yep, is yourself yeah,
and that's true with, withanything right whether it's even
(20:40):
when you go to nursing school,right same thing.
Speaker 1 (20:43):
I mean, abby's probably got stories about that
for you oh my gosh.
Speaker 2 (20:45):
She used to come home every night with a different
story.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
Yeah, and lots of tests.
I'm assuming Mm-hmm, but you'vegot a good head on your
shoulders.
I think you'll do it.
You want to go to SIC, like shedid the junior college?
Speaker 2 (21:00):
Probably it depends if I want a college rodeo or not
, where I'll go.
Oh, I didn't even think aboutthat?
Speaker 1 (21:05):
where would you, where would you want to go?
Have you looked into it,thought about it?
Speaker 2 (21:07):
no, you got.
I mean, there's always likemurray and all them, but there's
all kinds of places yeah, youruncle casey went to murray.
Speaker 1 (21:14):
Yes, didn't he?
Speaker 2 (21:15):
yes, I think so.
Yeah, he's from down there, andhazel yeah, that's right.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
Yeah, he's a good dude he is.
I'm gonna here.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
Oh, he has.
Yeah, that's what you can do.
He's helped me the last threedays out at Wildfire getting
ready to go to Nationals.
Speaker 1 (21:32):
Yeah, Ricky was in here the other day and he said,
you guys were up there.
Speaker 2 (21:35):
Ricky yeah, practicing.
He's a pretty good guy too.
Yeah, we like Ricky.
Speaker 1 (21:48):
Yeah, he's Ricky Joey , that's his name yeah, how cool
is wildfire?
Speaker 2 (21:50):
I've never been there yet, oh, but I've seen all the
pictures.
It looks awesome.
It is so like there's the arenaand it's covered and it's got
like the boxes and stuff and thebuck and shoots.
They just installed buck andshoots oh, wow yeah, and they
have barrel races out there allthe time and, um, you can go in
there for like five dollars ahorse to ride like on practice
nights and stuff like any night,oh really.
And then like you can go therefor like $5 a horse to ride Like
on practice nights and stuffLike any night oh really.
And then, like you can bringcows, we brought our cows, we
(22:12):
brought some of Uncle Casey'scows out there and we broke them
in and we roped them for a fewdays and they have.
They were building new stalls.
Speaker 1 (22:20):
Yeah, like 50, some odd or something right.
Speaker 2 (22:22):
Yeah, they just built new stalls.
They have a putt-putt course,they have a trail course, they
have a big old playground.
Speaker 1 (22:28):
That's awesome, because a lot of these people
well, they do a lot of stuffwith little kids too, like dummy
ropings and stuff right, yeah,the Wildfire, like the youth
series, is a lot of it's justkids, so there's a lot of little
kids or peewees.
Yeah, that's awesome.
They put all that other stuffout there for them, because when
you go to these events andthere's a lot of downtime
(22:49):
between your runs, what, what doyou do?
Speaker 2 (22:52):
and the downtime.
I usually, if I have downtime,I'm hanging out with my friends,
because a lot of my friends arefrom different states and stuff
because we rodeo in differentstates, so I meet kids from all
over the place yeah, that's,that's cool.
Speaker 1 (23:06):
Lucky Wildfire is there.
Speaker 2 (23:09):
So I was a little sibling who used to go to all
the junior high, all the highschool rodeos, and I know what
it's like to just like sit there.
Speaker 1 (23:14):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (23:15):
So yeah, it's really fun.
I would have friends from someof the kids at Abbeywood Rodeo.
They had little siblings andstuff, but I know what it's like
so I like that they have that,because even um, whenever I'm
not roping and stuff, me and myfriends will take some kids and
we'll go play at the playgroundand we'll go play puck and putt
golf and all that kind of yeah,that's, that's really cool.
Speaker 1 (23:36):
What's the funnest place you've ever been to
besides wildfire?
Speaker 2 (23:40):
oh so the flickerwood , the little bridges, that is
probably my favorite rodeo I goto.
Speaker 1 (23:45):
How come?
Speaker 2 (23:46):
All my friends are there.
All my friends are there.
We have the hotel just down theroad.
We can go swim, we go out todinner.
There's lots of spots in Cape.
It's pretty big, so we justhang out there yeah that's cool.
Speaker 1 (24:04):
Where's the biggest arena you've ever got to compete
in?
Speaker 2 (24:08):
Probably so.
I did not rope here but theRiata Buckle where my sister
went.
It was Lazy E that's probablythe biggest arena I've ever been
in.
Speaker 1 (24:15):
And you're going to be in there next week.
Speaker 2 (24:17):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
Are you excited?
Speaker 2 (24:18):
or nervous.
I am super excited.
Speaker 1 (24:20):
Yeah, I think you're going to kick butt.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
I hope so.
Speaker 1 (24:22):
We have faith in you.
And did you see all this stuffon the table?
Back here.
Speaker 2 (24:26):
Yeah, I did when I walked in.
Speaker 1 (24:28):
Yeah, you get to take all this home, yeah.
So when we decided that wewanted to sponsor kids, we
reached out to some of thesedrug companies we work with and
we told them what we were doingand the response we got was
awesome.
They loved it.
And the next thing we knowwe're getting boxes and boxes of
(24:48):
stuff to give you guys.
Naltrex sent some hats and somecool stuff.
Pulse Vet you've probably seena Shockwave, vinny.
Speaker 2 (24:56):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (24:57):
They sent backpacks and T-shirts, and then there's a
tub of the Protec GI, whichwould probably be a good idea to
give your horses while you'reout there, because the stress of
traveling can really reallyhurt their tummies.
Speaker 2 (25:10):
They're going to be out there for a week.
Speaker 1 (25:12):
Yeah, when do you guys leave?
Speaker 2 (25:14):
We're leaving Wednesday or Thursday next week.
Speaker 1 (25:16):
And you'll be there for a whole week.
Speaker 2 (25:18):
Yes, yeah.
Speaker 1 (25:19):
So that's trailer time.
That's a whole new environment.
So I mean stress in horses.
Horses, I mean just like it's ahead game for you, it's got to
be.
I always think, when we bringhorses in here, like what, like,
like you said, if vinny couldtalk, I just wonder what he
thinks when he walks insometimes he's like I ain't
going in there it's like they'regonna put needles in me or do
(25:39):
something, but but taking careof their stomach is is super
important, because if they'vegot a bellyache they can.
Can you know, if you want to win?
They got to perform their best.
Speaker 2 (25:48):
Really mess things up yeah.
Speaker 1 (25:50):
So you've got that you can take the finals and all
this cool stuff.
So you can't have this stuffbecause it's for display, but
we've got your backpack stuffedover there and your tub of
Pro-Tex, so we appreciate youaccepting the sponsorship.
Speaker 2 (26:05):
Thank you guys so much.
Speaker 1 (26:06):
I know you'll represent us well.
Speaker 2 (26:08):
Yes, sir.
Speaker 1 (26:09):
And thank you so much for taking the time to be here.
Speaker 2 (26:12):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (26:15):
Even though, according to you, your grandma
made you late.
But so good luck out there.
Have fun, I will, and rope fast.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
I'm going to try.
Speaker 1 (26:25):
Keep your head clear, keep my head clear and we want
to hear all about it when youget back too.
All right, all right, so thanksagain.
Speaker 2 (26:32):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (26:32):
Avery and thanks for tuning in and until next time,
take care of your horses andyourself.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!