story by Kyle Eustice
When 17-year-old Sara Larsen was born three months early, she weighed less than three pounds. Her birth mother, Lisa, had to be flown to Provo, Utah so experts could execute the high risk delivery. Against all odds, she survived and is actually quite tall for her age. The fighting spirit has been in her since the day she was born. “I’m kind of like a miracle baby,” said Sara.
As a little girl, she used to visit her grandparents, who had an arena and several horses on their property in Washington, Utah. Her grandfather Ron, in particular, was very involved and soon influenced his granddaughter to start riding. That’s all it took.
Since joining the UHSRA her freshman year at Pineview High School, she’s been in love with the rodeo lifestyle. Her father Chris, stepmother Katie, two sisters Karisa, 19, and Alicia, 13, and baby brother Ray, 3, are always there cheering her on.
“I get to spend a lot of time with my friends and family,” said Sara. “I love being around horses and competing.”
Currently, Sara participates in barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway, and goat tying. She travels to a lot of different events. Her stepmom also rodeos, mainly in the barrels and poles categories.
“My stepmom usually drives me,” said Sara. “She loves it and gets really into it. She’s my biggest supporter.”
Sara’s biggest accomplishment thus far was winning the Washington City Cotton Days in the all around, a junior rodeo in her home town, but she ultimately wants to be a national champion one day. She believes her dedication and commitment to practicing will get her there.
“I practice every day,” said Sara. “I usually ride two to three horses a day for two hours or more, especially if I’m roping or goat tying.”
Her plans, however, go beyond rodeo. Once she graduates from high school in 2017, she plans on going to college to become a neonatal nurse, so she can help other premature babies like herself. Until then, she’s content going to school, where her favorite subject is psychology. In her free time, she loves competing in rodeos, listening to country music, and bowling with her friends, although she admits she’s “not that good.” She’s more at home riding her horse.
“All I want to do is hop on my horse and ride,” said Sara. “It’s everything to me and I want to give it my all.”
