story by Ruth Nicolaus
Talli Pokorny is in the horse business. Not just through her rodeo competition in the Nebraska High School Rodeo Association, but through her own profession.
The eighteen-year-old cowgirl is in the brood mare business, and has raised three foals so far, with the latest one having been born this month. They are babies out of a Pitzer Ranch stud, a stud from the Weber Ranch in Nebraska, and a Crago Performance Horse stud. Talli is working towards either barrel or roping horses, and even though she won’t compete on them for high school and probably not college rodeo, she’d like to make the horses for others. Her foals are named Royal and Topaz; the third one is yet to be named.
She also rides her own colts, breaking and training them, and finances her business in part through the cow herd her grandparents started for her several years ago. Not only is Talli an equine business owner, but she is the Nebraska State FFA proficiency champion in equine science entrepeneurship, and last year, was reserve champion.
She is a senior at Wheeler Central High School, where she loves her ag classes because they interest her. Her favorite teachers are her ag advisor, Mrs. Guggenmos, because she is fun, likes horses, and was very helpful with her proficiency essays, and Mrs. Jensen, her journalism advisor.
In school, Talli is her FFA chapter’s secretary, was part of the One-Acts, a member of the National Honor Society, and is on the honor roll. She served as FFA treasurer last year and news reporter the previous year. She graduated as valedictorian of her class.
Her favorite food is tacos, with hard shells, hamburger, cheese, guacamole and salsa. The best meal her mom makes is enchiladas; her favorite dessert is coconut cream pie, and her favorite beverages are coffee with French vanilla creamer and lemonade.
Talli competed in Little Britches Rodeo two years, qualifying for Nationals in the breakaway and goat tying in 2015 and 2016. In high school rodeo, she competes in the breakaway and goats and will run barrels at a few rodeos this spring. She has qualified for the state finals in Hastings, Neb., three times.
This fall, she will attend Gillette (Wyo.) College to earn a degree in business or animal science. She has received rodeo and academic scholarships. Then she plans on transferring to another school to continue her education.
Talli competed at some Mid-States Rodeos and Nebraska State Rodeos last year in the breakaway.
She has two younger siblings: Gracie, who is 15, and Ryder, who is twelve. She is the daughter of Doug and Brandi Pokorny.
