Maysa Davidson - Joel Bergeson

Meet the Member Maysa Davidson

story by Lily Weinacht

I have some pretty high goals that I’ve set for myself, and if I can meet smaller goals along the way, then I can meet the bigger ones, and that’s enough motivation for me,” says 17-year-old Maysa Davidson. “I just try to get better every day and help people, and eventually I’ll reach the goals that I have for myself.” The roper and goat tyer from Parkston, South Dakota, has reached her goal of qualifying for state finals every year thus far. She constantly aims for more consistency in all of her events, and learning better techniques and skills to reach her larger goal of qualifying for the NHSFR.
Both sides of Maysa’s family have rodeoed, and she started her own career when she was 11. She’s entering her fourth and final year with the SDHSRA this fall, competing in goat tying, breakaway roping, and her favorite event of team roping. “I love the fact that it’s a team effort, and you have to have good horse power. You have to know how to rope as well, and be dedicated to practicing in order to be good enough.” She and her roping partner from last year, Tucker Rozell, won several practice and regional rodeos, while Maysa is heading for Shane Andersen this year.
“Tom Ollerich from Hartford kind of got me started in team roping. He came up to me one day and asked if I would be interested in heading for his daughter, and he and his son, Ty Ollerich, have helped me a bunch. Braden Pirrung and his family have helped me, and I’ll go down and practice there sometimes and they give some words of encouragement. My grandpa Vince Davidson lives down in Colorado, and I’ll go there sometimes in the summer and help out on his ranch. He has a ranch hand, Jose Comacho, who works for him, and we’ve gone to a couple of rodeos together and he’s always been pretty helpful. My mom, Julie, is there at every rodeo and ready to help when I need her, and my brother and sister, Sydney and Tucker, are really supportive.” The Davidsons experienced firsthand the support of their rodeo family several years ago when Maysa’s dad, Jeff Davidson, passed away. “It was really hard on our family, and I wanted to quit doing everything and stay under that dark cloud,” says Maysa. “But you have God’s strength that helps you get through it, and your rodeo family making sure you’re okay and pushing you to keep working hard and to not give up on yourself.”
Maysa’s persistence has taken her not only to SDHSRA state finals, but 4-H state finals as well. She rides Tom Ollerich’s horse Kid in the team roping and goat tying, and breakaway ropes off her mare Lola. “Kid is a really good horse, and he’s got a lot of power under him and knows his job. This was my first year competitively breakaway roping off of Lola. She used to be my sister’s barrel horse, and we made it to state in high school and 4-H in breakaway, so we’ve come pretty far this season.” Maysa and her family live on 30 acres outside of Parkston, and she and her younger brother, Tucker, help each other during practice, while their mom runs the chutes. Tucker competes in 4-H rodeos, and their older sister, Sydney, competes in the SDRA and barrel racing jackpots.
A senior at Parkston High School, Maysa enjoys all of her Ag classes, along with world history and biology. She plays basketball on her school’s team, the Parkston Trojans, and once she’s home from school, she goes to check her animals and exercise horses. “My family and I like to stay in at home and watch a movie because we’re rarely all together, and I enjoy going to football and volleyball games with my friends. My goal in school is to keep my grades up and raise my GPA,” Maysa finishes. “Rodeo-wise, I’m hoping to get some rodeo scholarships to college rodeo. Making it to state every year is a blessing—South Dakota is real competitive!”

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