|
|
8-year-old competes in youth rodeo associationHASTINGS, Neb. (AP)--For the last year, Breann Becker has spent close to every weekend on the road. The 8-year-old Hastings girl is a part of the Colorado Springs, Colo.-based National Little Britches Rodeo Association. "When you haul them all over the country, everybody gets to know her," said her father, Brian Becker. "They know who Breann Becker is." Breann, who competes in the barrel race, flag race, goat tying and pole bending events, places in the top of the pack on a regular basis. "She's like a fly on that horse," her dad said. She'll be competing in the 2007 finals July 15 to 21 in Pueblo, Colo. To qualify, a contestant must place in the top seven places during two rodeos. Breann is the only Hastings girl her age who competes in association events, something she said makes her lonely. But she's also made a lot of friends from across the country at the rodeos. "She meets a lot of good people, really good kids," Becker said. The rodeos aren't without a competitive nature and occasional hard feelings, but also carry a lot of camaraderie. "There gets to be some jealousy, but it's really fun," Becker said. "Pretty soon all the kids are cheering each other on." Sometimes it's just daughter and father who travel to the rodeos, and sometimes the party includes other members of the Becker family: mother Stacy, 5-year-old sister Brooke and 3-year-old brother Blake. "It's just good, clean family fun," Stacy Becker said. "Once I get on my horse I don't want to get off," Breann said. The Beckers learned about Little Britches tour last summer while Breann was competing in a 13-and-under rodeo. Her age class is for 5- to 7-year-olds. Because the seasons run August to August, Breann was able to slide in. "She turned 8 in September, and we thought, 'This'll be a fun last year,' but these kids are tough, really tough," Brian Becker said. Horses are nothing new to the Becker family. Brian Becker is president of Fairplay Park, which is what the Adams County Fairgrounds are called one day each September, when the area is turned into a horse track. Family friend and Hastings resident Bob Gottsch, whose daughters Nikki, 18, and Cheyenne, 12, both compete in rodeos, watched Breann when she was just beginning to ride. "She's really intense, practices well and really loves the sport," he said. Date: 5/3/07 Advertisement
Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2010. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com |
Market Snapshot Inside Futures |
