Hard work pays off for sibling rodeoers

Hard work and determination have paid off for two local teens, who brought home several awards from a rodeo banquet.

Elizabeth Meech, a senior at Fort Scott High School, and J. W. Meech, a sophomore at FSHS, each have been participating in rodeo activities since they were small. Recently both teens came home from the Central Timed Event Rodeo Circuit awards banquet in Grove, Okla. loaded down with awards. According to their mother, Marita Meech, the awards, which were given to the siblings because of their work this past year in the CTEC rodeo, included trophy saddles, trophy buckles, association jackets and horse tack equipment.

Elizabeth, who won her saddle for taking first place in goat tying, also earned rights as the Reserve All-Around Cowgirl in the 15-19-year-old girls age group. J. W. won his saddle by being named All-Around Cowboy, because he earned the first place win in calf roping, the second place win in steer stopping, and the third place win in team roping as a header, Marita said.

Not only are the two teenagers involved in the CTEC rodeo, but they are also members of the Northeast Scott 4-H club, FFA and the Kansas Junior Rodeo Association. In the past, they were members of the Christian Youth Rodeo Association.

During Elizabeth's freshmen year at high school, she participated in the Kansas High School Rodeo Association. She now enjoys participating in a variety of events that include goat tying, pole bending, barrel racing and, just recently, break away roping.

Elizabeth said that goat tying is the most difficult event that she participates in, explaining that the horse has to be positioned correctly and the rider must have a clean dismount and be quick on the ground when flanking and tying the goat. However, she said, all of the events that she participates in take skill.

"All events require a good horse and skilled rider, because you are riding, and sometimes (like goat tying) you are dismounting at a full run," she said.

J. W. competed at the State Kansas Junior High School Rodeo Association during his eighth grade year and competed in the National Junior High School Rodeo in Gallup, N.M. in 2006. Like his sister, he enjoys competing in a variety of events, such as calf roping, steer stopping and team roping.

J.W. said he likes both team roping and calf roping equally. He said that each event has parts to it that he enjoys. He said he is thankful for the help that others have provided him in regard to rodeoing.

"My mom was probably my first inspiration," he said. "She got me riding at a young age, but I owe a lot of gratitude to Larry Irish, who has been a great mentor to me. He helped me a lot when I was younger and trying to learn on a horse that wasn't really a finished roping horse."

According to both teenagers, rodeo has enriched their lives in one way or another.

"I think it has bettered our lives, because we have learned dedication and responsibility. Some people may not think of rodeo as a sport, but it is. Just like any other sport -- like basketball -- there is a lot of practice and repetition," Elizabeth said.

"Roping has made me more disciplined in my sport," J. W. said. I try to practice with my horse two to three times a week in the winter and about four to five nights during the spring, summer and fall. I have a roping dummy in the living room that I practice (with) when I can't get outside, and a hay bale is what I practice with on the ground outside."

Elizabeth said it makes her feel good to know that her hard work and dedication has come to fruition. She is also very excited about the saddle that she won.

"This is the first saddle that I have won; I am very excited about getting to ride it," she said.

In spite of having to use a different horse than expected in the calf-roping event, J. W. 's hard work and determination paid off for him.

"I am proud of the accomplishments I achieved this year," he said. "My calf-roping horse got hurt in June, and I had to use my team roping horse. It is a completely different event as far as which box you come out of and how your horse works the rope. Some people think roping is easy, but it requires a lot of practice time to develop a skill and technique. When you're roping, you not only have to know how to handle a rope and track a calf or steer, but you have got to know how to ride and handle your horse and get him in the position that will allow (you) to rope and catch quickly," he said

The Meech siblings not only traveled to CTEC rodeos during 2007, but they also competed at other rodeo events in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. According to Marita, they competed at Kansas Junior Rodeo Association rodeos, United States Team Roping Circuit ropings and the American Royal Youth Invitational Rodeo in Kansas City.