story by Lily Weinacht
Kallie deVeer has been counting down the days until the start of junior high rodeo season. Going into spring rodeos, the 12 year old from Geismar, Louisiana, is sitting in the top 10 in the goat tying and breakaway roping, while she’s the runner for Justin Plaisance in ribbon roping. Her dad, David, and older sisters, Katie and Kassie, have rodeoed, while her mom, Michelle, grew up raising her fair share of animals.
This is Kallie’s second year of junior high rodeo, and one of her favorite rodeos is state finals. “It’s in an indoor arena, and it kind of feels like I’m at the NFR,” she says. “It’s really cool to have everybody there and we get to stay in our trailers and camp out. I like to know that I’ve worked hard for rodeo, and I ride at least one of my horses every day. If the pen’s not dry, I’ll ride up and down our road bareback,” she adds. “My favorite event is goat tying, and there’s always something I can get better at with it. I think you have to work harder for goat tying, and that makes it an even match for everybody.” She practices with her sisters when they’re home, and ropes at her uncle’s house. “Kassie really inspires me – she helps me tie goats and explains things to me in a way that no one else does.” Kallie also looks up to family friend Mr. Harold. “He’s seventy-seven, and he was a really good bareback rider and team roper. He comes to help us rope every day and run the chutes. He also comes to my soccer games, and he inspires me to stay strong and work hard.”
Several of Kallie’s horses have carried all three sisters through junior high and high school rodeo. “Molly is my main horse, and she’s twenty-four. My rope horse, Bo, is younger, and I really like him, but sometimes he fudges at the barrier. If he doesn’t do well at practice, I ride Smack. My sisters rode him too.” Kassie is a freshman at McNeese State University and a member of the rodeo team, while Katie is a teacher at Donaldsonville High School. That leaves horse care to Kallie. “I like that somewhat, because I can ride horses my own way, but at the same time, I don’t have anyone to talk to,” Kallie explains. “Since Kassie went to college, it’s like I’m an only child!”
When she’s not on horseback, Kallie goes to school at Prairieville Middle School. A seventh grader, she enjoys social studies. “I like to learn how and why things happen. This year we’re learning about United States history and the early presidents, and next year is Louisiana history, which I’m really excited about.” This spring, Kallie will play on her school’s soccer team for the first time, and she’s played for Gonzales Soccer Club since she was five. She and her family also enjoy relaxing at home, barbecuing, and spending time with other family.
“I want to rodeo in college and do well in it, and keep improving,” Kallie finishes. “I’m hoping to qualify for Nationals this year and go there as many times as I can!”
