Spring: The next season brings reflections and new challenges

will continue to further their education. And for every senior, they are looking towards the future with high hope regarding the next chapter of their lives.

Seniors, as we prepare ourselves for the next steps we are about to take, there are many thoughts running through our minds. Where will I live? Where do I want to go to school? Am I going to college rodeo? How am I going to pay for college? The list is endless. As our minds wonder with uncertainty, let us not forget what got us to where we are in the first place... or family and supporters.

I know that without my parents’ support, there is no way that I would have made it to where I am today. If you have parents who drive you to every rodeo, pay for gas, pay entry fees and for stalls, do not forget to give them a big thank you every now and then.

For those rodeo parents who have been in the business for a long time, we owe a special thanks for all their knowledge. Sometimes it is hard to agree with them in the practice pen, but often it is their coaching that makes you the rodeo athlete you are.

Rodeo parents are like the pit crew for their children. They make sure all horses are saddled and ready. They make sure that you make it to the rodeo on time (and if not, they aren’t afraid of driving 90 mph in a horse trailer to get you there). They even do the little things like pinning your back number and tying your breakaway string and videoing your runs for you. The contestants are the faces of rodeo, but the parents are what make the rodeos themselves happen.

Region VII wants to specially thank all the parents who help with things from working the let-out gate to setting barrels to decorating for prom. We could not do it without your help.

Speaking of prom, congratulations is in order to our Region VII prom King and Queen: Guy Raasch and Hannah Bass! And congratulations to all of the moms who may have decorated the coolest prom ever!

As we enter the warmer months, let’s make sure our horses are properly taken care of. If your horse is the super hairy type, a shedding brush can be very helpful to get off that extra layer of dead hair and allow your horse to cool down easier. Monitoring your horse’s water intake is always important. If you think they should be drinking more, you can always add electrolytes to their food, or a salt block in their stall or pasture. After a long workout, in order to prevent a colic, make sure to cool down your horse before allowing them to eat.