story by Kendra Eller
Twenty-seven-year-old, Rylee Potter, from Weiser, Idaho, grew up on a large cow/calf operation and the majority of her life has been spent working alongside her step-father (Dan Swain) and mother (Darcy Swain) on the family ranch that has been in the name forever. Rylee has also been supported by her father (Troy Potter) and step-mother (Debbie Potter) in all her endeavors. When Rylee was a young girl, her local town hosted a rancher’s rodeo. “I remember going every year,” Rylee said, adding “I loved it.”
The love for rodeo was there at an early age, but Rylee didn’t start rodeoing until she was a freshman in high school. “My friends rodeoed in high school and I decided I would too,” she explained.
Growing up Rylee was active in the Idaho Cowboys Association (ICA), and rodeoed across the states of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. She loved traveling across the area, getting the opportunity to meet new people, and being surrounded by a strong rodeo community. “I love how ICA is not as big as other rodeo associations, so everyone knows everyone.” Rylee said she wanted to thank the association for the great work they do to ensure all rodeos in the organization are successful.
Rylee college rodeoed at Treasure Valley in Ontario, Oregon. She competed in breakaway and team roping. “Breakaway was and still is my favorite contest,” Rylee said. “It is really cool to see another women’s contest growing in a male-dominated sport.” Two of Rylee’s role-models are Jackie Crawford and Lari Dee Guy. “Both are incredible role models for women in the rodeo world. I love how they have set the tone for women who are looking to be successful and compete in the rodeo industry,” Rylee said and added that it is incredible that more rodeos are beginning to implement the breakaway contest.
Three years after graduating college, Rylee accepted the Treasure Valley Community College women’s rodeo coach position.”. She works alongside head coach (Drew Pearson) and assistant coach (Matt Nauman). “I was excited to accept this role, Rylee said. “I love rodeoing and being able to help people. It felt like the perfect gig for me.” The team competed in one rodeo before all collegiate rodeos were canceled due to Covid-19.
“Canceling all rodeos was a valid decision to help keep everyone safe. It was hard to see the athletes put the time and effort into preparing for the season to watch everything get canceled,” she stressed and she told her team to keep working hard during these times of uncertainty.
August 2020 Rylee marries her fiancé, Clayton Hanson. Rylee said she met Clayton over seven years ago while high school rodeoing. “I rodeoed for his dad,” Rylee said. “We then got closer and dated for seven years.” Luckily Covid-19 has not affected the planning of the wedding and we are hopeful to get married in August. Their future plans include working on the family ranch, rodeoing together, and traveling with Clayton’s job as an insurance adjuster.
His job allows the couple to travel to Texas each winter. Rylee said she loves coming to Texas and attending the Fort Worth Rodeo, the American, and other jackpots. “I attended the Fort Worth Rodeo this year and it was the first year they had breakaway. I loved the atmosphere, efficiency of the rodeo, and the people,” she said.
Rylee’s life revolves around rodeoing, ranching, and more rodeoing. The pandemic has affected the rodeo community, but Rylee said we will battle through this. She looks forward to the day where she can attend a rodeo again with her team and future husband, while feeling the soft dirt underneath the sole of her boots.
