The Rodeo News
f t p i g The Rodeo News
  • Home
  • Articles
    • 5 Star Champion
    • Back When They Bucked
    • JR Vezain
    • Newsletters
    • On The Trail
    • Profiles
    • Rodeo News Today
    • Roper Review
    • Special Features
  • Associations
  • Classifieds
    • Place a Classified Ad
    • My Classifieds
  • Subscribe
    • Subscribe
    • Change of Address
    • Newsletter Signup
  • Photos
  • Partners
  • Contact
    • About Rodeo News
    • Meet the Team
    • Meet The Freelancers
    • Advertiser Interests

Kellie Collier

Kellie Collier with Lolo at San Antonio - Greg Westfall

Written by: Courtesy

< Back to Articles

article by Holly Wilson

Kellie Collier is a Hereford, Texas native with an impressive rodeo resume.
She was originally introduced to the sport by her mom, Kathleen, and fell in love with the rodeo lifestyle.
As a student at Happy High School, Kellie competed in multiple events and is a four-time National High School Rodeo Association Finals qualifier. She continued the tradition during her two years at Texas Tech, where she also made the College National Rodeo Finals.
“I’ve always run barrels, but I also breakaway roped, team roped and ran poles. Last year in the college finals I won the All-Around,” Kellie said, “I got to go to the national finals in the barrels and the breakaway.”
Kellie finished the 2016 College National Finals Rodeo sitting sixth in the barrel racing with a 14.16.
Now, Kellie is pursuing a full-time position on the rodeo road. Some of her recent accolades include a win at Redding Rodeo, a third place finish at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo and a 13th place overall finish in the 2016 WPRA standings. She is currently sitting 9th in the 2017 standings.
“I’m trying to take the pro rodeo circuit a little more seriously this year,” Kellie said.
This was made possible, in part, by her family. They have supported her throughout her rodeo career, and continue to do so.
“My mom has always been my coach,” Kellie said, “She’s helped me with my highs and my lows and taught me everything I know.”
And while her mom is by her side on the rodeo road, Kellie’s dad, Matt, supports her from afar.
“My dad doesn’t have a rodeo background at all, but he’s my biggest fan. He gets mad if we don’t send him videos and call him right after,” Kellie said with a laugh, “He stays home as much as he can to make it possible for me to go.”
At just 20 years old, Kellie has her sights set high with a goal of making the 2017 National Finals Rodeo.
“My biggest plan right now is to rodeo as hard as I can and make the NFR,” Kellie said.
A Hereford, Texas native, Kellie competes on the Wilderness Circuit with her horse Streakin Easy April.
Kellie admits that it’s a tough road out there, and staying mentally focused is her biggest challenge.
“That’s probably the hardest part, is staying mentally focused and staying positive. It’s very very important for me to keep my head on and keep my horse comfortable in any situation,” Kellie said, “It’s a tough, tough mental game.”
However, nine-year-old “Lolo” has plenty of experience in high-pressure situations. She’s been run at the Thomas & Mack, and has numerous other accolades under her belt. “She’s making my dreams come true, making all of this possible. Having a horse of this caliber, that can compete against the best of the best,” Kellie said. “She has made my dream real, making me believe that I really can run at the Thomas & Mack someday.”
When Kellie and her mom spotted “Lolo” almost three years ago, they knew she would be the horse to make her childhood dreams come true.
“You know it was kind of a ‘Oh my gosh we have to have her’ kind of thing,” Kellie said, “It was a known from the start, as soon as we saw her, we knew. My mom has a great eye for horses, and she’s always mounted me so well.”
One of the aspects that drew the Colliers to Lolo was her kind eye and willing nature.
“When we saw Carlee Pierce run her at the NFR, and handle the situation and the ground, we loved her style. You could tell how sweet and willing she is, especially when you look in her eye,” Kellie said, “You could just tell.”
Over the past several years, Kellie and Lolo have strengthened their bond and developed a strong relationship.
“She’s really set my goals, she’s made my dreams come true. I want to be able to repay her for that and do everything to keep her the happiest she can be,” Kellie said, “I’ve been so blessed and lucky to have a chance to own this mare.”

Kellie Collier with Lolo – courtesy of family
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Posted on: February 22, 2017

Related Posts

Back When They Bucked with Donald Dorrell

Donald Dorrell was born February 8, 1926, “right up Beaver Creek in a log cabin across from where we live now. It was my grandmother’s […]

September 02, 2016
Harlan Schott and wife Donna

Back When they Bucked with the Schott Family

Imagine trying to escape oppression in Russia during the late 1880’s! After long miserable months on slow, overcrowded vessels your feet touch solid ground only […]

July 17, 2015
On the Trail, KC Jones, Rodeo News

On the Trail with KC Jones

KC Jones keeps organized with lists. The 43-year-old bull dogger from Southeastern Colorado has qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo eight  times since joining […]

November 24, 2014

Rodeo News

1612 Laporte Ave. Suite #2

Fort Collins, CO 80521

United States

Phone: 970-419-4747

More Info

  • Add An Event
  • Advertiser Interests
  • Place a Classified
  • Vendor Login
  • Submit an Association
  • Terms
  • Newsletter Signup

© Copyright 2021 Rodeo News | All Rights Reserved

TERMS:
Rodeo Newstm (ISSN 1934-5224) is published 12 times a year, semi-monthly May-Nov; once in Dec Jan, Feb., March, and April by Publication Printers, 2001 S. Platte River Drive, Denver, Colo., 80223. Iris Ink, Inc., parent company of Rodeo News is located at 3604 WCR 54G, Laporte, Colo., 80535. Subscriptions are $30 per year. Periodicals postage paid at LaPorte, Colo., and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Rodeo News, 1612 Laporte Ave. Suite #2, Fort Collins, CO 80521

Canada Post (CPC) publication #40798037. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without permission. Rodeo News carries advertising and editorials as a service to the readers. However, publication of advertisements and editorials in Rodeo News does not commit Rodeo News to agree with or guarantee any of the merchandise or livestock advertised.