story by Ruth Nicolaus
If Jolene Rhyne loves something, she’s all in for it.
And the Colorado Junior High School Rodeo Association member is all in for rodeo, barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, breakaway and ribbon roping.
The Craig, Colorado cowgirl, who is fourteen years old, rides two horses. Maia, her mare, is her goat tying and breakaway horse and is a sorrel. Hotrod, her gelding, is her barrel and pole horse. Maia is “super sweet,” Jolene reports, “always wanting to cuddle and be around people.” She’s a typical mare, however. “She’s moody around other horses.” Hotrod is laid back, and “asleep most of the time,” except when there’s food. “He gets excited” for food, she said.
Jolene is an eighth grade student at Craig Middle School, where this year is tough, because of COVID-19 restrictions. She is in school every other day, which means she doesn’t get to see her friends as often as she’d like. She loves reading and writing, with dystopian being her favorite genre and Divergent Trilogy her favorite books.
Jolene also enjoys doing leatherwork, having got her start in 4-H alongside her grandpa and her mom, who also do it. She’s made a variety of items: a bridle, halter, spur straps, saddle pad corner, and a knife sheath. It’s relaxing to work with leather, she says, with the dying and mixing of colors her favorite part.
She is involved with basketball, volleyball, is a member of the National Junior Honor Society, and in 4-H, along with leatherwork, she shows goats, pigs and horses.
The best trip Jolene’s been on was to Avila Beach in San Luis Obispo, California, a few years ago, when her family attended a cousin’s wedding. They swam in the Pacific Ocean, which was fun, even though the water was colder than they expected.
Her favorite place to be around home is the arena, where it’s quiet, and she can be with her animals.
Her mom and dad, Greg and Chris, love it that their girl has a zest for life. “She is passionate and loves all that she does,” Chris said. “She’s all in. Sometimes she’s all out, but she’s definitely all in when she’s in.”
In her sixth grade year, Jolene made it to the short round at state finals in each of her events.
When she grows up, she’d like to be either an equine nutritionist or a cosmetologist. Her favorite Bible verses are Proverbs 3:3-5, which guides her through rodeo and life. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
She has an older brother, Pepper, who is a junior in high school.
