story by Lily Weinacht
Kasen Brennise is the second generation of his family to compete in rodeo. The 17-year-old from Craig, Colorado, won the state tie-down roping title in the CSHSRA this spring, and he’s poised to do the same this season as he leads the tie-down roping standings. He initially launched his rodeo career in the NLBRA, qualifying multiple times for their finals and winning four world titles. He also qualified for the NJHFR several times and made his debut at the NHSFR this summer, placing seventh in the first round of tie-down roping. “A motivation is to see yourself improve, challenge yourself, and go to big places like Shawnee or Nationals or Gallup. To feel more confident in your abilities and potentially win something is rewarding, and the rewarding side of the sport definitely keeps me going.
“I’ll go calf rope or team rope any day of the week,” says Kasen, who is a heeler. He’s sitting fifth in the team roping with his sister, Kinlie, who is 12 months younger and leading the breakaway roping in the CSHSRA. “It’s tough that she has five other events to practice, but it definitely helps that she’s right here and can practice any day of the week.” Their parents, Scott and Sheila Brennise, are faithful coaches in the practice pen. Scott and Kasen often rope together, and Sheila videos all of Kasen and Kinlie’s runs. “My mom rodeoed and my dad pro rodeoed a lot, so I got rodeo from them. They have always helped me at home when I’m practicing, and I’ve gone to Josh Peek’s house to rope since I was 8. Ricky Green has been a big part of my team roping and my sister’s roping, and Jerrad Hofstetter has been a really big help to me in the last year. It’s awesome to have those people supporting you, and sending your videos to them and getting feedback. It’s a driving force for sure.”
The Brennise family has a longstanding ranching background, as well as running their outfitting business for more than 40 years. “We mainly elk hunt, and we do some deer hunting, but mule deer hunting is my favorite. Every weekend I can, I’m up hunting with my dad. I miss as much school as my mom will let me, and I love it up there. I hope someday that can be my job. As far as the ranch goes, we raise a little bit of hay, and we have 30 head of horses we raise.” Kasen’s calf horse is O, a 17-year-old mare. “I’ve had her a little over a year, and she’s awesome and solid as can be. I have a little blue roan I call Rex who’s my heel horse. He’s a 12-year-old gelding and always does his job. My dad’s best friend, Mitch Walz, trained him and sold him to us.”
A senior at Moffat County High School, Kasen enjoys all of his agriculture classes, particularly welding and wildlife management. “Right now we’re studying horticulture and soil quality, and in welding we’re learning about different kinds of welds and welders, and thicknesses of metal.” Kasen also plays basketball for the Moffat County Bulldogs, and he enjoys the short break from his rodeo schedule. “In our spare time, we either find a roping or a jackpot somewhere, and I help my dad on the ranch with irrigating or hay. I would like to be able to repeat my state title this year, and I definitely want to go to college. I’d like to be able to rodeo on a scholarship, and study something along the lines of agricultural business or economy that I can use on the ranch or the outfitting business.”
