By Siri Stevens
Clara is currently leading the All Around standings in the CJRA in the 14-18 age group. She is sitting second in breakaway, barrel racing, and mixed team roping, and third in goats. “The best part (of the CJRA) is I get to be in new arenas and meet new people – the experience of it is great and I really want to try to win a saddle – I’ve never won one before – that would be really cool.” She heard about the CJRA from friends that competed in the association.
“We were going to compete in the CJRA before, but then Covid hit. “I’m blessed to be able to participate in these rodeos,” said the 19-year-old from Torrington, Wyo. “My whole family can go compete. I rope in the Parent Child roping with my dad (Chuck), and the mixed team roping with my brother (Sid, 17).” Her mom (Rebecca) comes and helps saddle, packs the food, and coordinates everything along the way.
Clara is going to be a sophomore at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colo. She attends school with a little help from rodeo, “I don’t have a full ride. I have a nice rodeo scholarship to help out with expenses. It was a challenge to rodeo as a freshman,” she admits. “I try to manage my time really well between studying and competing.” She used her off weekends to study, as well as Monday, when they weren’t practicing. Her efforts paid off as she made the Dean’s honor roll both semesters. Clara started out in cosmetology, inspired by how she feels when she gets her nails or hair done. She has her certificate and will take her test in Fort Collins in July to get her license. She plans to pursue her associates in business next year and hopefully go on to a four-year school to pursue a degree in business. “I have no idea beyond that,” she admits. She will start working on hair and nails and facials for family and friends but hasn’t made any decisions about working in that industry yet. “I want to college rodeo for as long as I can and getting another degree will let me do that.”
Both her parents rodeoed for Colorado State University; her mom competed in breakaway roping and her dad was a header heeler. “He ropes both ends, but mostly heels now for my brother and me.” They also compete in the USTRC roping’s; Clara is a #3, Sid is a 4+ and Chuck is a #5 header and heeler. Sid competes in the Wyoming High School Rodeo Association; he is home schooled and is now an apprentice farrier. Sid just qualified for the National High School Finals in team roping.
Clara rides four horses in the CJRA; she uses a heel horse and a head horse that they share as a family. She uses the same horse to breakaway and tie goats on, rounding out her team with a barrel racing horse. She likes her breakaway/goat horse the best. Miss Kitty joined the family when Clara was a freshman in high school. “Sid started on her with breakaway and then tie down roping,” explained Clara. “Then he switched to a horse he trained, and the big red roan is mine now now I get to use the big red roan.” She’s always been solid and gives 110% every time.”
For the summer, Clara will work (as a lifeguard, at Torrington Livestock Markets/Cattle Country Video, and help at home with irrigating and cattle while also taking two college classes) and keep going to the CJRA rodeos, hoping for her first saddle at the finals in Lamar, Aug. 18-21.
