By Lily Weinacht
Myles Kenzy started riding before he could even walk on his own two feet, and today, the 16 year old from Iona, S.D., is the 2015 SDHSRA All-Around Cowboy. He also won the state title in reined cow horse, and placed third in the boys cutting. He went on to place 14th in the cutting during the NHSFR. “I’ve been out to the NHSFR several times to watch my sisters – Charli and Erin – compete, but this was my first time competing,” says Myles. “I loved meeting new people and seeing my friends, and being able to compete at that big of a rodeo was amazing!”
Myles’ parents, Frank and Jerri Lynn, introduced him to his favorite sport, and Frank continues to train horses and show cutting and reined cow horses. “I have the hope of winning a national title or even a world title someday, and that keeps me going,” Myles explains. He is also encouraged by JD Gerard, a rancher and horse trainer who lives near the Kenzy family. “He’s a really good team roper, and I’ll go rope and ride with him in his indoor barn in the winter,” says Myles. “He knows a lot of horsemanship and has helped me out with that.”
Though Myles went to Nationals in the cutting and reined cow horse, he also competes in tie-down roping and team roping as both header and heeler. Tie-down roping is his favorite event. “It’s fast-paced, and I really like that,” he says. He competes in cutting on a mare, Sapphire, who has won nearly $50,000 during her career, and is the daughter of Smart Mate. Myles’ mount in the reined cow horse for 2015, Ima Pretty Pepper (Ima), belongs to JD and is out of the Kenzy’s stud, Annies Little Pepper. His calf horse – Hy Ho Pepper (Hy Ho) – is also out of their stud, as well as his mount in the team roping, Bronco Billy Pepper (Bill).
The Kenzy family runs nearly 200 head of cattle, as well as roping calves and steers, and Myles can be found either in the arena, weather permitting, or in the barn roping the dummy. He leaves his rope only long enough to make the 26 mile drive to Gregory, where he is a junior at Gregory High School. He particularly enjoys chemistry. Once home, he’s out practicing until dark, though Myles also takes pleasure in an afternoon spent hunting or fishing.
Looking toward his goals for the 2016 rodeo season, Myles hopes to win the state tie-down roping title. “I definitely want to keep rodeoing after high school, and maybe go on to win a national or even world title in college or pro rodeo!”
