On Monday morning, the future of rodeo stepped into the arena that is part of rodeo history, as the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo Collegiate Rodeo got underway.
“The history here is very deep, and it’s very sentimental,” said Gentry Goza of the Weatherford College Rodeo Team. “Just being where all the professionals are, it means a lot for sure,” Goza’s teammate, Alexis Hutchings, said.
More than 400 college rodeo athletes are competing in the 3-day event.
“College rodeo is so much different,” Weatherford College Rodeo Team Coach Hadley Kibbe said. “It’s the only time in y’all’s career, or in anyone’s careers, that you’ll be able to compete for a team.”
Rodeo on the professional level is an individual sport.
“There’s a lot to analyze in about 5 seconds,” Goza said as she watched the team roping competition. “The coaching was what really drew me in. I came down to Texas to push myself, get better, and eventually have a career pro rodeoing.”
Collegiate Rodeos aren’t just competitions; they are networking events.
“I have 3 new sponsors just from being at college,” Hutchings said. “Just talking to people, and the support you get out here, is incredible from everybody.”
“I swear, all cowboys are good at heart,” Goza said. “And cowgirls, obviously!”
The friendly competition and a love for rodeo is what keeps college athletes in the saddle, and prepares them for what could be a rough ride in the professional world.
“Sometimes you’re going you enter with your last 500 bucks, and if you win then you can keep going. If you lose, then you gotta go back and work until you get some more money, and that’s what’s hard about rodeo,” Goza said. “It takes passion!”
The FWSSR Collegiate Rodeo Championship is on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Will Rogers Coliseum. For tickets, click here.