story by Lily Weinacht
Winning a champion all-around cowgirl title is an achievement that many cowgirls across the country aspire to every season, and for Colorado High School Rodeo Association member, Shyanna Reeves, winning it twice was even better. Her first clinch of the title was as an eighth grade CSJHRA member, and she was grateful to add the second title to her list of accomplishments as the 2019 CSHSRA All-Around Champion Cowgirl. “This season I competed in barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, team roping, goat tying, reined cow horse, and cutting.” With the long list of events she competes in, comes a busy schedule, commitment, and dedication from both Shyanna and her parents, Audra and Derek Reeves.
Audra and Derek both work at their automobile dealership, Five Star Auto Sales, in Pueblo, Colorado and have put aside their own rodeo aspirations so they can fully support the goals of their only child. Audra has a well-round equestrian background, competing in dressage and jumping before heading down the rodeo trail as a barrel racer. She and Derek, who started riding bareback horses in high school, traveled the circuits together for several years, before settling in Boone, Colorado and hauling Shyanna to make her own mark in the rodeo world. Derek enjoys team roping with Shyanna at jackpots as well as helping her with her roping events at home, and Audra enjoys working horses with Shyanna, and helping her stay tuned up on her speed events.
As a 16-year-old rising homeschooled junior in high school, Shyanna has competed in junior rodeo since she was 6 and has loved being a part of the CSHSRA for the past 4 years. “I love being in this rodeo family with everyone. It’s such a humbling sport, and everyone is willing to lend a hand when needed.” As an 8th grader, she was the champion all-around cowgirl, finishing the season as the state ribbon roping and team roping champion, and reserve champion in pole bending, barrel racing, breakaway roping, as well as finishing 3rd in goat tying. She and partner, Austin Huwa, went on to be the 2017 NHSFR Reserve Champion Ribbon Ropers in Lebanon, Tennessee. This season, she qualified for nationals in barrel racing, pole bending, and cutting, and she is hopeful for another national title while she’s in Rock Springs, Wyoming.
Although she has 20 horses to care for at home, Shyanna’s been blessed to have rodeo families share great horses for her to compete on towards her titles. She’s been borrowing the Eagle family’s 20-year-old sorrel mare, Flash, this past season but when she was hurt during the first round at state finals, Megan and Chris Evans let her borrow their peewee horse, Mocha, helping her win the reserve champion state title. Although she placed as the reserve champion cutter for CSHSRA on her sorrel mare, Dallas, she’ll be borrowing a bay gelding named Hustler, owned by Deb Pomerleau, to compete in Rock Springs, Wyoming. She competed in barrel racing on her mom’s good barrel horse until she was injured two years ago, and Whitney Mount loaned her Hilda to compete on. “Hilda is a 16-year-old sorrel mare, and it was so nice of her to loan her to me. We got along so well, that she ended up selling Hilda to me, and I’ll be competing on her at nationals.” Shyanna also feels blessed to have neighbors, Scotty and Laura Shelton, who not only help her with breakaway roping, but help her with having different horses to ride when she needs it. “It’s nice to know that I have an option if I need it, and nice to have someone so experienced helping me with my favorite event.”
Shyanna’s favorite subjects in school are biology and psychology, and for future goals she’s considering becoming a therapist or psychiatrist. “I enjoy talking to people about what’s going on in their lives and like to try to make a difference in someone’s life. I’d like to help people by being someone they can come talk to.”
Shyanna appreciates her parents, and her sponsors, Cactus Ropes, and CSI Saddle Pads for all they do to support her. “I can’t thank my parents enough for taking me to every single rodeo we can make.”
