It’s the bulls and blood……

September 15, 2009 • written by Brittney Gossett

……its the dust and mud, its the roar of a Sunday crowd.. For Tristan Taylor this is more than just a Garth Brooks song; The rodeo has become the very thing that defines her life.

Growing up in a family that breeds horses inspired Taylor’s  passion for horse show competitions, but fate was met one day her freshman year over those ever-familiar speakers announcing that the Rodeo team was having a meeting. Taylor thought she would give it a try.

As one of the officers who runs and oversees the rodeo team, Taylor has made herself a strong presence in the North Texas High School Rodeo Association. The association is not UIL approved due to the risks of the sport and the money received by competition winners.

The rodeo team that represents our area is a combination of members from Mansfield, Legacy, and Summit.

Despite the concept of being “competing” schools in varsity sports, the Rodeo team drops school logos to be one.

“The rodeo team is my family,” Taylor said.

Though there are no mandatory practices for the team, they all work to build their skills as a team by meeting every Tuesday at the Bar Cross Ranch. To be a member of the rodeo team, it is not required to be an experienced rider.

Taylor participates in pole bending, barrel racing, and her personal favorite, steer decorating. In this event, using a provided horse or a “hazer” as it is called, the competitor must grab a ribbon off a steer in the fastest amount of time. Last year, Taylor went to nationals and placed fourth in this event.

This is no sport for a girly-girl.

“You can never have your nails done,” Taylor joked.

Taylor plans to compete, after recovering from an injury she suffered last year when her horse, Jack, slipped and fell on her. The injury to her wrist has healed, and Taylor says she is excited for the season ahead.

“It’s not the for the entertainment for me, but for the completeness I feel when riding.”

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