by Lily Weinacht
Cash Fuesz of Eureka, Kan., began his rodeo career when he was two, winning the lead-in event at a local fun show, though he admits that riding his dad’s best tie-down horse, and her ability to back at a touch on the reins, is what clinched his position in first place. These days, however, the 11-year-old cowboy is the owner of numerous buckles and several saddles through both his horses’ talent and his horsemanship.
A KJRA competitor for the last five years, Cash’s events include tie-down roping, breakaway roping, and goat tying. Prior to aging out, Cash also competed in barrels, poles, and calf riding. Tie-down roping is Cash’s favorite event, not only for the thrill, but also because his dad, Cory Fuesz, was a tie-down roper for many years. The father and son spend many hours in the arena together, while Heather Fuesz, Cash’s mom, helps groom and exercise the horses. Cash also looks up to PRCA tie-down roper Cory Solomon. “He’s a small athlete, but he’s got a ton of try!” says Cash. “I also look up to Mick Lloyd – he helped my dad when he was rodeoing, and now he’s helping me. We drive about 45 minutes to go see him several times a month.”
The Fuesz family lives outside of Eureka in the poetic grasslands of the Flint Hills. They recently had a barn built so Cash can practice no matter the weather. “No excuses now!” says Cash, who dislikes any rainy day that keeps him from practicing. His tie-down horse is Captain Crunch, dubbed for his fondness for crunching calves, as well as apples. Missy is Cash’s mount in the breakaway roping, while his gelding, Flaxy, replaced Rat, Cash’s former goat tying horse who has retired. The Fuesz family also runs 1,200 head of cow/calf pairs on their ranch, in addition to caring for their nine horses, five dogs, six cats, bucket calves, and goat. “It’s kind of a petting zoo!” jokes Cash, who is one of the Fuesz’s best ranch hands. He also has an older brother, Clinton Laflin, who is the Tulsa, Okla., County 4-H extension agent. Clinton’s passion is showing Angus cattle, while he frequently comes to watch Cash compete.
Cash’s summer is well stocked with rodeos and ropings, including several Barry Burke, Chris Neal, and Joe Beaver calf ropings. He recently competed in Tuff Cooper’s first annual Junior Roping in Fort Worth, Texas. Cash also does 4-H, with projects ranging from horses, to arts and crafts, entomology, and buymanship. “Horses are my favorite. I do reining and western pleasure on Missie, and halter, showmanship, and horsemanship on my other horse, Lace.” Cash uses any remaining time to pursue some of his numerous interests, which include riding dirt bikes, and playing guitar and piano. In school he has done gymnastics, but prefers soccer, football, and baseball. “I like any sport with a ball!” he explains. Cash will be a sixth grader at Marshall Elementary, and this spring, he played the lead in his school’s fifth grade musical, How to be a Pirate in Seven Easy Songs. “I was the pirate captain, and one of my best friends played my first mate, so we had a great time being very dramatic.”
The KJRA finals rodeo is Cash’s favorite rodeo, particularly since he has won several saddles there, but his goal isn’t trophy saddles alone. “I want to keep beating my fastest time, become a PRCA cowboy someday, and keep working with animals. My motto is, ‘God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers, and if you fail, try, try again!”
