College Rodeo Team?

The college I will be attending in the fall has a rodeo team. I'm an eventer, but I'd like to make the switch and join the rodeo club. I have a meeting with the coach tomorrow and I asked to see the facilities, but I really have no idea if this is a good match for me or not and I have no idea how to go about asking questions! What kind of questions should I ask? And what should I consider when deciding wether or not if I should join the team? Thanks, everyone!

Also, if you're on a college team, I'd love to hear your experience.

I don't really know what all is involved with a college rodeo team but how much experience do you have with rodeo events? Do you have a horse you would be using or does this team supply horses to members who don't have one of their own? Are there any particular events that draw your interest or are you looking more for an overall experience?

I don't have any rodeo experience at all, other than some team penning I did for fun. I would be able to bring a horse to college (we are looking, currently). I am interested in LEARNING to rope. I guess what I'm really wondering is if this is a good team to learn skills, or if I need to come in with them. I really just want to be able to ride and have an enviorment/team to have fun with.

In that case, I really can't answer your questions, though I do think it would be rather silly for them to require you to have the skills already and not be willing to teach someone who wanted to learn. If you are looking for a horse now and are interested in learning to rope, I suggest you look for horses who are broke for team roping or ranch work. I found out the hard way that the worst way to gain confidence roping is by trying to teach a horse while you are still learning LOL.

I hope they can help you out. I have just gotten semi-serious about roping in the last few years and it is certainly a test of your abilities. Very satisfying when you make a smooth catch though .

To quote a college football analyst on ESPN, "Not so fast, my friend."

Speaking as somebody who's been around several aspects of the rodeo business for longer than I care to think about (oh, look! Another gray hair! Goshdangit! ), this is probably not the best advice — think about whether you'd give similar advice to somebody who has never played football but says he wants to play for the college football team.

Nigel, if you want to rope at all, then right now you need to buy memberships in the USTRC and your regional grassroots rodeo organization (can't call 'em amateur, because winners get paid, even in college rodeo), find some friends who have roping steers, buy a roping dummy and practice. Practice, practice, practice. And then practice some more. Then get out and compete ASAP — grassroots rodeo events, USTRC events, weekend unsanctioned jackpot ropings advertised on a bulletin board at the local ag-supply store. Find out how good you are now, find out how much you can improve.

The local state university (it's NCAA Division I in stick-and-ball sports) has probably 100 kids in its team picture. Of that, only a handful of them compete for the team on a rodeo weekend and only a few more compete "unattached," meaning they get to wear the school vest but their results only count for themselves and not for the overall team. The rodeo team at the other big state university up here puts this advice on its web page:

Most of the kids in college rodeo have been rodeoing for many years now and have a lot of experience and a long track record. Given that all rodeo is pretty much paid, there's no Chinese wall separating the "amateurs" from the "professionals" — a lot of them compete in PRCA rodeos over the summer and some are good enough to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo at the same time they're competing for their college team (as I said, it's allowed). You won't be able to just show up and learn this fall. You better have some experience under your belt before you call or e-mail the rodeo coach (who's probably no more than a part-time employee of your college). He's seen your type before and he'll know pretty quick if he'll want to give you a chance or not.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. And if you sign up with the USTRC, maybe I'll see you at a roping some weekend.

2much, by any chance were you looking at the Montana State Rodeo team, sounds like you pulled that quote right off their website!

Like already mentioned, college level rodeo teams generally want you to already be competing and winning. I know at our school, there are a limited number of spaces and you need to have at least one really good horse (if not a string of 2 or 3). Most of the members seem to compete in at least 2 events which makes them quite a bit more versatile.

Yep; of course, it's the same deal at other schools.

And, folks ... that's what she said. And she's right.