story by Lindsay King
Reined Cow Horse has only been on the OHSRA event bill for the past three years, but the competition intensifies every year. This is a draw for California-transplant LaRae Luis. “My family moved to Wynnewood, Oklahoma, the summer before my sophomore year. When I was in California I went for the all-around by competing in barrels, poles, team roping, breakaway roping, cutting and working cow horse,” said the 16-year-old high school junior. The daughter of Mark and Shari Luis, LaRae has known nothing but cow horses because her dad is a reined cow horse trainer. “My dad is amazing, he is my coach, idol and hero. To show along side him is a real honor for me. I have turned back cows for him in the practice pen my whole life, but I have finally reached a point where I am confident enough to go show on my own.”
Rodeo in Oklahoma is a lot different than it was in California. This led to LaRae’s decision to only pursue cutting and reined cow horse in OHSRA. “They are definitely my strongest events and what I spend the most time working on just because I am riding with my dad so much.” An avid competitor in the National Reined Cow Horse Association, LaRae compares her high school competition to the youth of the national association. “Everyone in the OHSRA is very kind but also competitive, I love a good challenge and they definitely bring it every time.” LaRae is the reigning champion in the reined cow horse and average champion in the cutting and reined cow horse in the OHSRA. A two-time national competitor in the reined cow horse, LaRae finished seventh in the nation in 2016. “The NRCHA takes the top 20 competitors from nationals and they do an invitational high school challenge at their world show. It was really neat they did that.” She happened to win that challenge at the beginning of 2017.
Moving to Oklahoma has presented the Luis family with more opportunities to travel together. “I don’t do many things just by myself or with my friends, I do a lot of stuff with my family. Every once in awhile we like to go to the movies or dinner. But mostly we just ride horses.” LaRae has two older brothers: Adam, 37, and Brad, 35. “I would not be where I am without my family, all their love and support has gotten me where I am today. And the man upstairs of course.”
In the seventh grade LaRae started homeschooling. “It was challenging to be gone so often so this works well with our training program.” She likes learning something new through science experiments. Growing up in the world of horse training has prompted LaRae to pursue a career in the same field. “I would like to go to a two-year college and get a degree in business to back me up as a trainer. There are a lot more opportunities for me as a horse trainer here in Oklahoma than there were in California.” LaRae would like to branch out and see how other trainers work so she can formulate her own training techniques.
Representing her state at nationals is easily LaRae’s favorite rodeo. “There is a lot going on, is very empowering. The top competitors are all in one spot to see who is the best of the best.” With no place she would rather be, LaRae is working towards another appearance at nationals. Team Resistol, Cactus Saddlery, Cactus Ropes, Cactus Gear, Rodeo Quincy and Cinch have all helped LaRae pursue her cow-horse dreams. “Some people get their thrill from riding bulls, for me it is riding cow horses.”
