Rodeo team still has plenty on their plate

For members of the Mission Valley High School Rodeo Club not everything has come easy this season, but with hard work and countless hours of dedication, everyone shined in their own way and in their own events. For many of the members, this season offered plenty of good memories and great experience.

Katelyn Lowder of Polson finished her high school rodeo career this year taking seventh overall in the breakaway and finished in the No. 12 spot in goat tying. Lowder was happy with her performance, but wished she could have done better at the state finals.

"(This past season) went pretty well for me, but state could have been better. It's just the luck of the draw and I got the worst goats," said Lowder.

Lowder has finished higher in the goats during the past three years but never qualified for National. She did earn an invite to the Silver State Rodeo in Nevada, but decided not to attend because there was not enough time between state and the Silver State, and to help her family during haying season.

"I have definitely grown over the years and got more consistent in my times. I would have liked to make it to Nationals, but it's just the luck of the draw," Lowder said.

The Polson cowgirl will have plenty of chances to shine on the rodeo scene during her college years. She will be attending Ranger College in Ranger, Texas. Lowder will be attending college on a rodeo scholarship and plans to compete in breakaway, goats and hopes to pick up team roping.

Lowder will not be the only Lake County rodeo star attending Ranger College — Arlee's Levi Hendrickson is also heading down to Texas on a rodeo scholarship.

"I'm really excited to go there with Levi. He is a good friend so it will be nice for the both of us," Lowder said.

Both Lowder and Hendrickson will be in the hands of seasoned rodeo star and coach Tom Reeves. Reeves has plenty of rodeo experience — he has been to the National Final Rodeo 17 times.

"He is a really, really good coach," said an excited Lowder.

Lowder said her goal is to make it to the College National Final Rodeo and hopes she can keep up to speed with Texas rodeo competitors.

"I think rodeo is tougher in Texas because they rodeo year round. If I can compete with them I will be happy," Lowder said.

Lowder will head down to Ranger College sometime during the middle of August.

Ronan's Brittnee Benson has been competing on the high school rodeo circuit for the past three years. Her events are team roping and breakaway.

Last fall she won her first belt buckle at the Missoula High School Rodeo. She also won the first and second day average in breakaway.

"The first day I was really excited. It was my first time winning a buckle," said Benson.

When it was all said and done she walked away with three buckles. Benson will be attending college in Missoula on a rodeo scholarship this fall.

Benson finished No. 10 in the state in breakaway at the state rodeo a few weeks ago. She was in the top five going into state finals, but she missed her calf and missed again in the short go. Tenth place is nothing to be ashamed of considering there were more than 90 others going for first place.

"This past year has been the year I started to shine," said Benson.

Benson and others from high school rodeo District 5, the home district of the Mission Valley High School Rodeo Club, have to face some of the toughest competitors almost every weekend.

"I think over in the west (side of the state) we have the most competition. You have to compete against your main competition all year long, not just at State," Benson said.

When Benson starts her college rodeo career she will be doing breakaway and team roping. When asked about some of the highlights during her high school rodeo years she recalled a trip she took with teammate Jessica Milliron and Levi Hendrickson to Denver. The group got to fly to Denver and spend five days attending the National High School winter meeting where they went over rules for the circuit. She also added that they did get to do some of the tourist things while in Denver.

Barbara Pfiefer, a rising junior at St. Ignatius High School, made it to the State Rodeo Finals this year in pole bending, barrels and goat tying. She didn't place in poles or barrels but did finish in the top half of the goats.

Pfiefer just finished up her second season on the high school rodeo circuit and has plans to practice and attend some open rodeos. She is planning on attending Pinorr Days Rodeo and one at Majestic Valley Arena this fall. Pfiefer said she's lucky she is able to practice at home since she has the space and her own set of poles, barrels and goats.

"I just work on keeping my horses in shape," said Pfiefer.

At the Superior Rodeo this season Pfiefer said it was one of those days where if it could go wrong, it did. Imagine your belt breaking, your horses' stall breaking and getting a tear in your hat. Pfiefer said she kept her cool and repaired the stall with a rubber band.

"It was a really hectic rodeo but I placed in three of my events," Pfiefer said.

Pfiefer, a working cowgirl, will have plenty of time during the off-season to get some experience at some open rodeos and practice at her home. She says she plans on focusing on breakaway since she just started it this past season, and maybe start team roping.