GENERATIONS OF THE RODEO

 Rodeo runs deep in the Pierce family’s blood and is set to continue flowing through both Ryder and Katie’s veins for a long time to come. Katie and Ryder are both fourth generation rodeo competitors on the Pierce side and third generation on the Johnston side, they already at their young ages are making a name for themselves with Ryder finishing second for the Pro Tour of the 12 and under barrel racing for the 2022 junior season. Tayla and Brad are no slouches themselves both multiple time National Finals qualifiers and Brad a three-time Australian Saddle Bronc Riding Champion. Tayla qualified into the barrel racing at the 2022 Ariat National Finals alongside her Mum, Trish. Tayla’s father, Dave Johnson was the 1981 Bull Riding Champion. Back down the family tree, Brad’s grandfather was a founding member of rodeo in Australia. Ryder and Katie’s great grandfather, Johnny Pierce obtained the membership number 5 when the APRA first started out before it was even known as the APRA. That’s something the two kids will be able to tell their friends for many years to come.

When Tayla was asked how she felt competing against her Mum at the National Finals she was determined that it wouldn’t be the last time that this will happen. Not many people get to experience what Tayla and Trish did last year. Tayla speaks about how you can always count on your mum to let you in on the hard truths which most of the time need to be heard; I’m sure most of us can agree we have felt that before! Tayla sits number 4 in the current season’s Barrel Racing standings whilst Trish is hiding away in the shadows at number 31 as her good mare sustained an injury recently but don’t count her out come November.

Rodeo is really for the whole family, just take the Pierce family for instance; four generations of rodeo history running through them and no end in sight. When they pack up the truck on a Friday after school, Katie and Ryder get to compete at the same rodeos as not only their Mum and Dad but also their grandmother; how special! Tayla claims she couldn’t think of anything else she would rather be doing with family. Both kids share many of their parent’s attributes, the main one being determination. Ryder is determined to become a great steer rider whilst Katie is determined to beat Ryder in the Barrel Racing. Katie’s highlight from many rodeos is getting to sign the National Anthem.

With many rodeo competitors descending down the family trees through generations, with so much history and knowledge of our sport there is bound to be a bigger and brighter future for these kids coming through the ranks. The APRA and its competitors has so much depth and we think it is important to acknowledge the ones who paved the way for us; take the time out of your day to go talk to the old cowboy’s and cowgirl’s who came before us as they might teach us a thing or two!