The thought of a rodeo rider conjures up images of tough young
cowboys ‹ loners by nature, traveling from town to town on their
way to the next go-around.
Although there¹s plenty of truth in that stereotype, the world
of rodeo is far from just a male-dominated sport.
Just ask HHS incoming senior Mary Minaglia, who has spent the
past few years competing in barrel, breakaway roping, goat tying
and pull bending on the high school rodeo circuit.
³I got interested in rodeo a few years ago at the Sonoma County
Fair,² said Minaglia, who also played varsity softball for the Lady
Greyhounds last spring. ³I went from not really knowing anything
about the sport to being competitive in just five years.²
The high school rodeo season starts in September and runs
through May, with a total of eight events held each year in
Lakeport, Willits, Red Bluff, Ferndale and Santa Rosa. Some 45-50
local riders compete in District-2, which includes the counties of
Sonoma, Del Norte, Mendocino, Lake and Napa. Participants must
maintain at least a 2.0 grade-point-average, signed off by their
school principal.
Minaglia competed in six rodeos during the past season and plans
to jump back into the fray again this year. Although the
competition can be tough, she¹s come to appreciate the camaraderie
that goes along with the ³white knuckles and gold buckles.²
³Rodeo is much different than other sports, because in the
beginning you don¹t know anybody and have to learn to make
friends,² she said. ³Even though we¹re all competing against each
other, most of the riders are good friends and they¹ll give you
tips and pointers that help you in the competition.²
Minaglia competes with two horses at each rodeo, her own quarter
horse named Charlie and a roping horse that her friend Michelle
Rege lets her ride at every go-around.
The 17-year-old animal lover has also been heavily involved in
the Future Farmers of America most of her life, showing her prized
pigs at various fairs around Northern California including: FFA,
Sonoma-Marin, Sonoma County and the State Fair. Among her many
accomplishments was being crowned the 2005 Supreme Champion at the
Sonoma County Fair.
³I actually bought Charlie with the money I made from that
fair,² said Minaglia, who will serve as next year¹s FFA President.
³Once my horse and I got up to speed (in Rodeo), we became a lot
more competitive.²
