Iriey Anderson with her two horses Bud and Cash. She is holding buckles she won barrel racing.
Anderson in a team roping event. Sage Reed who taught her to rope is the heeler. Anderson, riding Tuff, is the header. The steer's horns are protected from the rope by a horn wrap.
SWAN VALLEY - During the spring and summer of 2015, Seeley-Swan High School sophomore Iriey Anderson traveled with her family and five horses all over the state to participate in Montana High School Rodeo Association (MHSRA) rodeos. This year she will compete in five events which she hopes could lead to a full ride scholarship in college rodeo.
"I have wanted this since I was little. It's all part of chasing my dream," said Anderson. "We have been to almost all the rodeo arenas in the state and have met many amazing people with the same drive and passion for the sport [that] we are dedicated to. [We have] developed a rodeo family that is scattered all over the state."
Anderson started riding horses when she was about five years old. Her grandmother Nan Potts who is a barrel racer taught her to ride and to compete. Potts has trained the horses Anderson competes with and has passed her knowledge of the sport to her granddaughter.
Anderson is perfecting her skills in barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, team and breakaway roping by practicing with her horses. She calls the horses her "teammates". Anderson said that the horses put in as much effort as she does. "We both want to succeed," she said.
Anderson said that when she stays motivated and gets to the point when she is confident in herself and her horse, she knows she will do well. "I know the harder I try the [greater the] outcome will be."
Anderson also credits the other competitors who are there for each other. "We want the same thing and we support each other. We have all been through similar things, failing and succeeding."
According to Anderson, a rider gets points for each event if they place in the top ten. A contestant gets ten points for first place, nine for second and so on. If a contestant gets at least one point in each event they want to enter, they are allowed to participate at State Finals. To participate at the National Finals a contestant has to be in the top five of the State Finals events in which they want to compete.
One of Anderson's best memories in high school rodeo was at the state finals held in Kalispell last summer. There was an event called battle of the districts in which each district dressed up according to the theme they are assigned. Anderson's district was given the future to portray.
"We decided to dress up like we were all at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) because that is where we all want to be in our futures," said Anderson. "We performed the NFR grand entry. We galloped into the arena carrying a state flag as music was blaring. Just like at the NFR. It was a really fun experience."
Anderson usually competes on three different horses. "I ride my eight-year-old gelding Cash in pole bending and barrel racing. He has gotten me far in these events. He loves his job and does it well. I have won a lot on him."
Anderson rides another eight-year-old gelding named Bud when she competes in goat tying. He is in training with barrel and pole bending, team roping and breakaway roping. "I ride Dad's 15-year-old horse named Tuff for team and breakaway roping." Anderson said Tuff, who leads her father's mules into the Bob Marshall, works like a champ when he chases after a steer she is roping.
"I love my horses, they are a huge part of my life," said Anderson. "I wouldn't be where I am without my family and the horses."
For more information about MHSRA and the 2016 rodeo schedule visit, mhsra.com This year the MHSRA finals will be held at Baker, Mont., June 7-12 and the National Finals will be held at Gillette, Wyo. July 17-23.
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