story by Lily Weinacht
Tymerie Steinhauer calls Sutton, Neb., her home, but she crosses the state line into Kansas throughout the rodeo season to compete in the KJRA. It’s the 14-year-old’s second year with the association, but her fourth year competing in her favorite sport. “My cousin Kim Schulze is a professional barrel racer from Colorado, and I used to go watch her compete in Phillipsburg, Kansas, where my mom’s side of the family lives,” says Tymerie. “I got to ride Kim’s horse she calls Short Stuff out of Frenchmans Guy, and that’s where I got the inspiration to rodeo!”
Today, Tymerie competes in barrel racing, pole bending, and goat tying. “Pole bending is my favorite, because my horse is small and she weaves right through them,” she explains. “We stay as one, and that’s our best event.” Tymerie also competes in the NJHSRA, 4-H Little Mustangs, Nebraska Horse Club Association (NHCA), and Nelson Rodeos. In the NHCA, she was the grand champion in barrel racing, pole bending, and the stake race in 2013, while she was the reserve champion in the same three events the following year. Further accomplishments include 2015 Reserve All-Around Champion in the Nelson Rodeos, and three time grand champion at her 4-H County Fair in the barrel racing and pole bending.
“I enjoy rodeoing with my friends and meeting new people,” says Tymerie. “My best friend, Phoebe Fessler, does everything with me, and we spend the night in each other’s trailers. I like how everyone supports each other in rodeo, and I love spending time with my animals. My horse, Kit Kat, is pretty much my whole heart. I trained her myself for barrels, and we learned off each other.” Kit Kat, an 18-year-old brown mare, came to live with the Seinhauers nine years ago, carrying Tymerie through all three of her events. Tymerie is also training a yearling, Paris, whom she hopes to college rodeo on. “She’s barrel bred, and I’m teaching her to trust me right now,” says Tymerie. “I hope she makes something!”
Along with her horses, Tymerie’s family also has dogs, cats, chickens, and goats. They breed Australian Shepherds, and one of their dogs, Emma, likes to travel with them to rodeos. “One of my favorite chores is getting food for the goats,” says Tymerie. “We have a baby goats and they hop everywhere!” She shows her boer goats in 4-H, along with her horse, Kit Kat, in the halter classes. During practice, Tymerie rides either at home or the Ponderosa arena in town. Her 4-H leaders help coach her, as well as her parents, Brian and Carey, who taught her how to ride. “I’m also inspired by my Grandpa Adrian. He has a farm in Colby, and we go down to see him every summer. He’s helped me with my rodeo finances and purchasing a horse trailer, plus he’s helped me out with my horse. He used to have horses when he was young, and he tells me stories about that.”
Tymerie’s brother, Shane (11), rides calves and steers in the KJRA, while their older brother, Aiden (18), enjoys computer graphics. When the family isn’t fishing together or target shooting, Tymerie enjoys swimming, or going camping with friends and building bonfires. She’s going to Cheyenne Frontier Days for the first time with her family this summer. “My goal is to get faster times in my events and qualify for the National finals in high school, then college rodeo,” says Tymerie. “I’d like to study animal science so I can become a veterinarian, a vet tech, or a horse trainer. My Grandma Schulze and Uncle Gare come to all my rodeos in Kansas, and I’ve had a lot of support from all of my family.
