story by Ruth Nicolaus
Kate Rathjen has set standards and goals for herself.
When the Nebraska High School Rodeo Association cowgirl was a little girl, she told herself that she should do the best she could, “and that I need to give 110 percent,” she said. No matter if it’s rodeo, sports or school work, she gives her all.
A resident of David City, Kate competes in the barrel racing, pole bending and breakaway roping.
Among her three events, she believes her strength is the breakaway, because she’s spent more time on it.
For the breakaway, she rides an eleven-year-old bay mare named Beans. Beans is a former heeling and tie-down horse and with her previous owner, did very well, competing in AQHA events.
For the barrels and poles, she rides an eight-year-old bay mare named Tillie, who has four small white socks, a big blaze on her face, and two blue eyes with no white around them. Kate knows how to handle Tillie, who can be stubborn. “If I get in her way, mistakes will happen so I stay out of her way,” she said. “She’s to the point where she knows what she’s doing. But sometimes I have to get after her during her run because she’ll be stubborn and get her shoulder into a barrel.”
Beans is a registered AQHA; Tillie is a registered APHA.
A senior at East Butler High School in Brainard, Kate loves being in school and seeing her friends. Her toughest class this year is college algebra; she’s grateful for the high school teacher who teaches the lessons. Her easiest class is weights, which she enjoys.
One of Kate’s goals is to do well in school, so she isn’t scared to go the extra mile. For example, as a sophomore, she was struggling in math. She went before school to see the teacher, “to help me understand it more and get more of a hold on it,” she said. She also did extra credit, which helped her grade. Her hard work paid off. “Now I’m really good at math.”
Her favorite teacher is Mr. Hermelbracht, her sophomore health teacher and volleyball coach. “He’s just very understanding and helpful,” she said. “He listens and helps me out when I need it.”
In school, Kate competes in volleyball and basketball; she is a member of the FCCLA and FFA and last year, served as president of her school’s FFA chapter.
For fun, she likes to hang out with friends. They might play volleyball in the sand pit in Brainard, or go to Seward to walk around in Wal-Mart and eat at a Mexican restaurant. They like to play card games and watch movies, too.
One of her favorite foods is her dad’s pulled pork and anything he grills, including steaks, ribs or pork chops. Her favorite dessert is chocolate cupcakes, and her favorite beverages are Dr. Pepper, iced coffee with creamer, and water.
If she had $1 million lying around to spend, she’d put up an indoor arena with air conditioning, a tack room, wash racks and stalls.
She has two older brothers, Justin and Kacey.
She is the daughter of Jeff and Esther Rathjen.
