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How to find the right college rodeo team.

As high school students plan for their future, rodeo kids have something more unique to consider, college rodeo. College rodeo is unlike other college sports and there is a lot to consider when choosing the right college to attend. With the help of someone who has been through the process, it can be manageable. I have compiled a list of things to consider when choosing a school as a rodeo athlete. 

THE EVENT

Some schools have a reputation for producing great rodeo athletes at certain events. For example, Missouri Valley College has made multiple world champion bareback riders in the past few years. Find a school to help you reach your goal in your event(s). 

THE PRACTICE

The majority of schools will provide a practice arena with stock to practice on. If you can, try to practice with the team and ask yourself a few questions like:

Will I benefit from practicing here?

Do they have all the equipment I need to be successful(ex: roping dummies and sleds)?

Can I practice in the winter here? Do they have or need an indoor arena?

THE COACH

Coaching style is more important than you think. Most rodeo kids have never had a rodeo coach before going to college, so you have to ask yourself a few questions: do you want a laid-back coach that just helps you enter or a more involved coach? 

2022 College rodeo coach of the year

THE LIVING SITUATION

Going into college, most kids envision living in dorms for four years. This isn’t always the case. Depending on the rules of the college and the rodeo team, you may be able to rent a house or live in your living quarter trailer. The first college I went to, had a rule that the college rodeo kids must stay in the newly built dorms. While this was great initially, I got the itch to move away from my peers and be on my own.  

THE DISTANCE TO COLLEGE RODEOS

In today's economic climate, saving money is more important than ever. The money spent on fuel can add up quickly especially when you have 10 college rodeos a year. The first college I attended had 2 rodeos over 12 hours away and the closest rodeo was over 4 hours(not including the home rodeo). The second college I attended was much different. The longest I traveled for a rodeo was 4 hours. 

Looking back at my time in college, I have no regrets. The experiences and the people I met made the time tremendous and worthwhile. If I were to advise my children, if they were in my situation, on what to do, it would be different. I would push them into researching more. I’d advise them to visit more schools and to go to a college rodeo. The option that I never considered but will advise my children is to stay close to home. Allow yourself to take baby steps into adulthood instead of diving in head first.