story by Ruth Nicolaus
Kelsey Brashear is having a wonderful summer. She spent several days in June at the Louisiana State High School Finals, where she qualified for the National High School Finals in the breakaway roping. In July she competed at the International Youth Finals Rodeo in Shawnee, Okla., and went on to Nationals in Rock Springs, Wyo.
Not only does the 18 year old cowgirl from LeBlue, La., breakaway rope, but she team ropes and ties goats as well. She heels for Baylee Istre, and her mount for all three of her events is an 11-year-old sorrel named Cash. The family has owned Cash for the past five years, and he is the boss of the barn. “He rules the roost,” Kelsey says. “He’s the dominant one. When it’s feeding time, he’s the first one to the barn, and no one else goes into his stall.”
This summer, in between going to rodeos, Kelsey babysits two kids, ages nine and five. They spend lots of time in the swimming pool at her house and playing outside. She made some money to help pay entry fees, and when it comes to rodeo, she loves to spend. But when it comes to clothes or boots, she tries to get her mom to buy those things for her.
This fall, Kelsey will be a senior at Iowa High School. She plays volleyball and is involved with FFA, FCA, and the National Honor Society. Her favorite class in school is agriculture, mainly because she is able to be active and up and around, instead of sitting at a desk for the entire class period.
After high school graduation, she would like to attend McNeese State and rodeo for them. She’s unsure of what career path she would like to take.
One of her favorite things about rodeo is being able to see friends, and at Shawnee and Rock Springs, she will be able to visit with friends from all over the country. Kelsey is a stiff competitor and enjoyed her time at rodeos this summer. “It’s intense but relaxed at the same time.”
She has a younger sister, Kolbie, who is fifteen and is also breakaway roping in high school rodeo.
She is the daughter of Tommy and Denise Brashear.
