Live Oak’s Jen Kelso represents the Acorns at high school rodeo
competitions
Horses kick dust into the crisp morning air at Bolado Park on
Saturday morning, their muscles pulsing and jumping with
anticipation under shiny coats. Overhead young cowboys and
cowgirl’s swing ropes. The bits of woven twine circle and respond
with ease, like strange extensions of their bodies.
Live Oak’s Jen Kelso represents the Acorns at high school rodeo competitions
Horses kick dust into the crisp morning air at Bolado Park on Saturday morning, their muscles pulsing and jumping with anticipation under shiny coats. Overhead young cowboys and cowgirl’s swing ropes. The bits of woven twine circle and respond with ease, like strange extensions of their bodies.
In contrast to the image of the sun-weathered Marlboro man, these horse rider’s skins are creaseless, they are more likely to have peach fuzz than stubble and wrinkles. Dressed in denim, with heads hidden under black and white hats, they are here for a District 4 National High School Rodeo Association competition, the first of eight this year.
The comfort and agility they display is evidence of the time these young competitors have spent on the back of their horses.
“This is my sport,” says Jen Kelso, 15, before she competes in the slalom-like horse race called pole bending. “When I get home from school I do my homework and then ride.”
A sophomore at Live Oak High School, Jen finished eighth in barrel racing for the state of California in the 2000 American West 4D Rodeo Championships. Barrel racing is a timed horse race in which competitors make a clover leaf pattern around three barrels.
In addition to pole bending and barrel racing, Kelso competes in goat tying and breakaway roping, which involves roping a calf with a small string attaching the rope to the horn of her saddle.
Over the weekend she was the only rodeo competitor from Live Oak at the District 4 competition, a region that stretches from Livermore to King City. Contestants hope to finish in the top five in each event in order to win points during the season. The top cumulative point earners from each district at the end of the season in May will go to the California State High School Championships in Red Bluff. The top four finishers in Red Bluff will get the chance to strut their stuff at the National High School Finals Rodeo, held annual in July. This year the national competition will be in Farmington, N.M.
Last year five riders from District 4 went to nationals, but rodeo as a high school sport is not as popular in Morgan Hill.
“So many of Jen’s teachers have never heard of the high school rodeo,” says Margaret Kelso, Jen’s mother. “Here in Morgan Hill there’s a lot of ranch families, they really need to get the word out.”
“I’d be nice to see them get more involved with it,” says Tim Kelso, Jen’s father. “It’s pretty much what made the area.”
Tim grew up around horses as well, cleaning stables while in high school.
“I grew up in Almaden when it was country,” recalls Tim.
Yet Jen, who easily puts as much time into riding as a high school football player or band member, doesn’t receive school credit.
“If she has to get out of school to go to a rodeo, it’s an unexcused absence,” says Tim.
“It really needs to be recognized as a sport,” says Margaret.
Beyond the thrill of competition, the high school rodeo is important because of the life lessons it teaches the students, supporters say. The competitors are involved in the rodeos operation. Two student directors are paired up with an adult to run each event.
“By having them work and help they learn about all the hard work involved,” says Anna Riedinger, who generates money for the district through tables of food she operates as The Rodeo Cafe.
“There is a really nice camaraderie that carries through adulthood,” says Riedinger.
Glancing around the stadium over the weekend it is evident the way in which the high school rodeo brings families together. The season, with nine to ten rodeos that stretch from September to July, mandates that parents are involved.
During a break between events the Kelsos regroup around their horse trailer and makeshift corral to water their horses and share a few words.
“We’re a team, the whole family,” says Margaret looking toward her husband and daughter.
