story by Lily Weinacht
Natalie Leisinger of Highmore, South Dakota, finished third in the nation in the reined cow horse this summer. It was the 17-year-old’s first time showing her horse, Chili, on any stage, let alone a national one, and they scored higher with every round. Even though it was her third time at the NHSFR competing in the event, Natalie says she was still nervous being on a new horse. “My first go was really good – I scored a 191, and I had built some confidence going into the second round. I scored a 191.5, which set me up pretty good in the short go. I’d built quite a bit of confidence up in myself and my horse, and being able to trust him. In the short go, I had a plan to go for it all, and we scored a 192. I was very happy, and so happy with how he performed!”
Chili, Natalie’s horse, started out as a heel horse. But when Natalie’s step-dad, PRCA team roper Bobby Harris, rode Chili and noticed how cowy he was, they switched to the bit they use on their cow horses. “He was a different horse, and he dropped his head,” says Natalie. “We didn’t have a lot of background on him, so I practiced on him a bit, seeing what he could do. That was right before state, so I rode the horse I’d been competing on all spring, and after state, Chili got better and better and more tuned up, and I thought he was the caliber of horse for Nationals.”
Natalie also competes in barrel racing, breakaway roping, goat tying, and team roping as a header, but reined cow horse and goat tying are her favorites. “In goat tying, I like that you’re not just relying on your horse. He can only get you halfway, and you have to do the rest of the work. I really like the horsemanship part of reined cow horse, and being able to show your horse and do all the cool maneuvers. Working the cow is probably the most fun. It’s really different from the other events because there’s no time at all, and it’s about being in position and being correct and showing control. It’s definitely a nice change of pace.”
While Natalie grew up ranching, she didn’t find her love for rodeo until she was 9 and started traveling to rodeos with her step-dad. “He got me interested in the rodeo life, and I got more and more attached and interested in rodeo. It’s so fun to go places, and it’s awesome to do good, but really it’s the people that you meet and the connections you get. I love the competitive side of it, and the stories you hear, and all the friends you’re able to meet and know for the rest of your life.” She especially looks up to her mom, Colleen, and step-dad, Bobby, as well as her go-to guy in reining, Frank Kenzy. “Bobby practices with me a lot, and my mom helps me, whether it’s saddling horses or holding my goat or opening up chutes.”
Natalie rides her family’s stud, 4P Buzzwood, whom she team ropes, ties goats, and breakaway ropes off of. She rides Cowboy in the barrel racing, and helps keep all the family’s horses legged up. Her brothers, Bailey (18) and Brody (13), help their dad, Matt, with the farming, while Natalie helps with working cattle, building fence, haying, and other ranch jobs. She is also a senior at Highmore High School this fall, and enjoys science, along with playing volleyball and basketball. “I’m definitely looking at college rodeo, and school-wise, I’d like to graduate valedictorian. I’d like to qualify to Nationals in more than reined cow horse,” she finishes, “and bring home a state championship in any of my events.”
