story by Kendra Elder
Thirteen-year-old, Molly Sporleder, from Severance, Colorado, believes rodeoing requires mental toughness and a lot of practice. Molly said rodeo is similar to the game of basketball, you need to be aggressive and willing to practice consistently. “Both sports require a lot of traveling and dedication. Between the two sports my schedule is always full.”
The eighth-grader lives in Severance, Colorado and is surrounded by a family who loves her. She is the daughter of Troy and Andrea Sporleder and has one older sister Lily (15) who plays the role of Molly’s best friend. “My sister and I help each other when it comes to practicing and competing.” Molly grew up idolizing her mom who rodeoed collegiately at Colorado State University and was the 1993 State Champion in cutting. “My mom has taught me everything that she knows from her years of experience,” Molly said. Molly loves that they are both patient, competitive, and caring. Spending time with her mom consists of sitting on their horses, looking out at the sunset going down on the beautiful mountains after a long evening practice.
When asked who her biggest role model is, she said her grandfather, Don Scott. Don was a rodeo announcer for 20 years, and started the Scott-Sporleder family rodeo tradition. “My grandfather is always there for me. I love him so much,” Molly said. Don constantly reminds Molly she is in the right industry, because he has “never seen a bad kid lead a horse.”
The eighth grader attends Severance Middle School and is a member of the National Junior Honor Society, a straight A student, as well as a member of the basketball and track team. Aside from school, she is a member of the Colorado State Junior High School Rodeo Association and the Rocking K Rodeo Association. She competes in breakaway roping, goat tying, barrel racing, pole bending, and daily ribbon roping. Though her favorite contest is goat tying because she is small and fast. “I like goat tying because it is easy to get off my horse and is an event I spend a lot of time practicing for,” Molly said. Her goat tying and roping horses’ names are Oscar and Jamal. She has such a strong bond with Jamal that she created her own hashtag for him, #TeamJaMolly. Molly said one benefit of being a member of the Colorado State Junior High School Rodeo Association is the opportunities that are provided.
Molly is a member of the Northeast All-Star Team, offered through the CSJHSRA. Paul Gallagher, leader of the Northeast All-Star Team, is someone Molly looks up too. “He supports all the kids and is always there to run events. He took me under his wings when I was new.” Molly said. The all-star team provides team members provides a hands-on learning experience for coordinating and hosting a rodeo. She helped put on the Greeley Rodeo in 2019, introducing her to some of her best friends. “It is cool to work on a committee with kids my own age. We help get sponsors and run different rodeos,” Molly said.
Molly’s future plans include attending college to rodeo or play basketball, getting married and starting her own family, all while becoming a doctor. For now, she is focused on spending time outdoors with her family, shooting hoops, and playing with her two dogs. Molly knows when she starts to doubt herself, she can turn to her favorite bible verse, Jeremiah 29:11. “God always has a plan.”
