story by Michele Toberer
As a sophomore in the Louisiana High School Rodeo Association, Kase Busby is grateful to have been a part of the association since he was a sixth grader in Leesville, Louisiana. “Louisiana has some of the best competition in the nation, so competing at that level every weekend can really step-up your rodeo skills.” Kase not only competes in tie-down roping and team roping, heading for Jacques Trahan; but he’s also this year’s head honcho serving as the association’s 2019/2020 student president.
Kase’s connections to LHSRA go even further than his junior high school years, as his mom, Jamie, is an LHSRA alumna, who competed all through her high school years and served as the LHSRA rodeo queen. Jamie is currently a teacher at Hicks High School. Kase’s dad, Kenneth Busby, is a salesman for an electrical company and used to be a bullfighter. Kase’s grandparents, Ronaleen and James Hagan (Jamie’s parents) both amateur rodeoed across the state in their younger years, with his grandma competing in barrel racing while his grandpa competed as a calf roper. Kase appreciates all of his grandpa’s help both in and out of the arena, and also appreciates the support of his biggest fan, his older sister Kaylee.
“I have just always grown up in rodeo. I’ve been around it as early as I can remember.” Kase qualified for national finals twice in junior high, and traveled to Lebanon, Tennessee while he was in 7th grade, and to Huron, South Dakota for the NJHFR his 8th grade year. “I was just barely out of making the finals last year, so I’m really focused on qualifying for the NHSFR this season.” This will be the second season he and Jacques team up for the team roping, and he is riding Pete, an 18-year-old sorrel gelding he’s been heading on since he was in 6th grade. Kase started riding his calf horse Titus, a 17-year-old sorrel gelding, last year, and tie-down has become his favorite event to compete in. “Both of my horses are pretty easy going and do good for me.” Kase appreciates his Uncle Chad Hagan for all the help he gives him with roping.
Kase attends Hicks High School and stays very busy with his education as well as being in the National Honors Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Kase also competes on the Hicks’ Pirates basketball team and is very involved in showing horses in the 4-H program. He hopes to college rodeo after he graduates from high school and would like to end up in real estate eventually. First, he’d like to take a shot at the professional rodeo ranks for a few years and make his mark in the PRCA.
“I like how tight knit the LHSRA family is. We are all competing, but not really against each other. We try to help each other do the best we each can.” Last year’s LHSRA president, Morgan Sparks, inspired Kase to run for office. “I saw how much Morgan helped in the community and at state finals, and knew I wanted to help make a difference too. I want to try to grow our junior high division and recruit more members. And, I look forward to helping with the exceptional rodeo we do and see all the smiles on the kids’ faces.” Kase is thankful to his other officers, Karli Kyle, Vice-President, Ally Murphy, Secretary, and Claire Vincent, LHSRA Rodeo Queen, for their hard work.
Kase looks to professionals like Tyson Durfey and Tuf Cooper for inspiration, “Tyson is a big role model for me, and I like how positive he is. And Tuf never gets down on himself no matter how bad a run he makes. He just goes out and tries to make a better run on the next calf. Seeing those types of mindsets help me as I compete myself.”
With a full rodeo and school schedule, Kase spends most days going between classes, basketball practice, and rodeo practice at least 3-4 times each week. At home, he helps clean stalls, and feed horses and calves that he keeps to practice. When he has free time, he likes to hang out with friends and ride horses.
