story by Ruth Nicolaus
For the goat tying and pole bending, the Colorado Junior High School Rodeo Association cowgirl rides Hollywood, her ten-year-old gelding, a buckskin paint. Three years ago, Hollywood had ringbone, which should have ended his career. The veterinarian told the family he would never be able to run. So they turned the horse out into the pasture, prayed, and about a year later, “we saw him come running down the field, and he ran fast, too,” Shaylee said. So Hollywood was back to his rodeo career.
He also has a lot of character, Shaylee said. “He tries to eat everything, even our hands. He’s also very gentle. He doesn’t try to get away with anything.”
A resident of Grand Junction, Shaylee also competes in the barrel racing and just began breakaway roping. She’s riding her cousin’s horse for the breakaway until her parents can find another horse for her.
Shaylee is a seventh grade student and is home schooled. Science is her favorite subject because of the fun experiments she gets to do. History is her least favorite.
She also is a 4-H member and shows pigs. This year, her Duroc, named Reba, (or affectionately called “Pig”), won second in her class and fourth overall. She loves showing pigs because she doesn’t have to stand in one spot and keep an animal still.
The Spaid ranch also has chickens, dogs, a goat, horses, and a cat. The cat’s name is Cookie, and she plays and sleeps with Gus, one of the dogs. The other dog is Laney, and both are mini-Aussies.
Shaylee loves her mom’s egg rolls and all kinds of cheesecake. Her favorite beverage is Sprite, and for breakfast, she usually eats healthy cereal. She’s a morning person and loves to watch the Heartland series; Amy, played by Amber Marshall, is her favorite character.
When she grows up, she’d like to be a veterinarian.
Her mom, Brandi, likes her daughter’s courage. “I love that she’s braver than me. She does things I wouldn’t do.” Shaylee is also motivated. “I love that when she finds something she likes, she gets self-motivated. That’s why goats were her best event. She was willing to practice.”
Shaylee has two younger brothers: Jaykin, age ten, and Trig, who is seven.
She is the daughter of Brandi and Butch Spaid.
