story by Claire Vincent
The Louisiana High School Rodeo Association has been a part of the Pierce family for many years. Annamarie Pierce, a junior at Magnolia Bend Academy, has already competed in three years of junior high rodeo, almost three years of high school rodeo, and is looking forward to completing her fourth year next season as a member of the LHSRA. Rodeo is the most family oriented sport, and Annamarie is honored to compete in the same association as her sisters, Samantha and Allie Grace.
Her dad, Steve, a pecan farmer, team roped on the heel side. Throughout the years he has won 17 saddles and 3 horse trailers. Although her mom, Jennifer did not rodeo, she is still Annamarie’s biggest supporter and cheerleader inside and out the rodeo arena.
Annamarie’s friends and family say she can do it all and they admire her for how hard she works to reach her goals. She competes in breakaway roping, goat tying, and barrel racing, goat tying is her favorite. “It depends on the day but most of the time its goat tying. Just like any other event, you get out what you put in, but I feel like when you have to react fast on a tricky goat it really shows if you are putting in the work at home or not.” Gidget is the 14 year old mare that gets Annamarie on the ground fast and in a hurry. Since 7th grade, Gidget has taken her to multiple junior high and high school national finals. Annamarie’s 9th grade year at nationals, Gidget went down and they did not think she would make a full recovery. Now, she is back and better than ever, giving Annamarie 100% every run.
Annamarie has been very successful in her rodeo career, thus far. She has qualified for junior high and high school nationals. In 2019 she was the reserve world champion breakaway roper at the National Little Britches Finals. In 2020 she was the LHSRA and Deep South Little britches goat tying champion.
Annamarie is still indecisive on where she wants to attend college, but she knows she wants to college rodeo. She hopes to win another LHSRA state and national title, and make the college finals someday.
