The CNCC rodeo team traveled to Spanish Fork, Utah for the last rodeo of the season. | COURTESY PHOTO
RANGELY I “Our CNCC rodeo goal for our last college rodeo of the 2021-2022 year, was for both Sadie Shake and Hadley Gross to make the barrel racing short go-round at the Utah Valley University college rodeo, which was held April 15-16, in Spanish Fork, Utah,” said CNCC Rodeo Coach Tammy Olson. Both student athletes and their equine partners ran in the “slack” after the rodeo on Friday.
“Everything was perfect, too. The stadium was absolutely amazing, giving you the feeling of entering a massive Roman movie set. The weather was cool, but no rain. The footing in the ground got better and better, with each barrel run on Friday night. It was all set up for CNCC’s two barrel racers to achieve their year-end goal,” Olson added.
Gross and “Hubbs” were 17th to run in slack and it was their perfect setup, as the pattern was a long run to the first barrel, exactly how “Hubbs” likes it, as he is the equine equivalent of 4-wheel drive. They came flying in to the first barrel and had a great turn, then the same for their second and third barrels. They were sitting in sixth place overall, with an 18.20, and we were all cheering. Now the waiting game began, to see if they would qualify for the Top 10 to run on Saturday.
Shake and “Ricky” were 31st out and they made arguably their best run of the entire spring season. Shake rode her game plan and “Ricky” reacted in unison. It was a beautiful, smooth run, with three tight turns. They were a 17.95, and easily in the Top 10 for Saturday. Gross was on the edge of the bubble, and after waiting for the final results she ended up 11th — so close.
In the short go-round Saturday, Shake and “Ricky” had some issues with keeping the barrels up, and 10 seconds in penalties put them out of the running.
“Both Sadie and Hadley had a great rodeo and they both rode really well. As their coach, I was proud of them,” Olson said.
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