story by Skylar Wright
Dalli Holyoak is 12 years old and doesn’t let age stop her in the chase in an all around race. The cowgirl competes in barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying and breakaway. While she is busy keeping her horses in shape and competition ready, she finds time to be a rodeo queen as well. She currently holds the title of Miss Rodeo Enterprise Princess.
“She was born on a horse but she was our five minute cowgirl. She would always want to ride but it would never last long,” said her mom, Lori Holyoak. Her dad, Trevor Holyoak has rodeoed his entire life and mom has always had a passion for horses growing up.
Rodeo has not always been in Dalli’s future but when she heard that the local rodeo was having a queen contest “that’s what started it all.” The youngster has won 3 crowns since the age of 8.
If she is not queening or in the rodeo arena she is doing school work. She is a 4.0 honor roll student and says, “School is important to her.” For such a young age, Dalli knows that she wants to become a hairdresser when she graduates.
Posh is her all around horse and is 19 years old. “I started running poles on her just recently but we are getting along really well,” she said. She credits her success to her family that stands behind her. Her family goes back generations in the rodeo world with her grandpa being a saddle maker.
This was the first year for Dalli to compete in Jr. High rodeos but “has come along way.” She just started breakaway roping with the help of her dad and his old rope horse. “Yeller was retired but once Dalli said she wanted to rope, he got the call to take care of her,” said Lori.
The young and determined Dalli wants to continue to rodeo as long as she can. “I’m excited to see where rodeo takes me in life.” She would like to win as many queen titles as she can and has no plans of slowing down.
