and big belt buckles, but underneath the stereotypes lie some true athletes. “People don’t realize the physical strength you have to have to work a horse and get through a pattern,” she explains. “Horses are really strong, so, when you’re riding a crazy, souped-up barrel horse waiting to get through the gate, you have to hold on as tight as you can. When you’re going through the pattern, their adrenaline is going, yours is going.” Natalie is hooked on the feeling. During rodeo season, she works with her horses five days a week, at least an hour and a half a day. She competed in high school volleyball and track, but, when those sports started to interfere with rodeo preparations and competitions, she chose horses. She admits it can be awkward when friends ask about her weekend plans. “I don’t get asked a lot of questions about rodeo because people don’t know what to ask,” she laughs. Natalie will soon find herself in the audience more often than on
the arena floor. She’s headed to Ft. Hays State University to study nursing, which means a break from competition. However, she sees horses in her future. She’d like to train and break horses, taming them for people to ride. She’s already had success with the process. “I was scared at first, not sure how it would go,” she said. “You definitely have to get their trust and then you have to build up that trust so they know they’ll be okay.” Don’t count rodeo out of the picture, either. “I’ll be doing it until I die or can’t walk!” she said.
The Fast Lane What is your favorite meal? Chipotle© What is your dream car or vehicle if price didn’t matter? 2012 Camaro with pink hood and roof. “I saw it on Pinterest!” What is your pet peeve? When people call me “Nat.” If you could travel to any place where would you go? Puerto Rico. My grandfather is from there and he died when I was 10. It would be neat to see where he’s from. Who is your role model? My dad. He works really hard all the time and he always went to rodeos with me. No matter what, he was always there. He gave up a lot so I could rodeo.
July 2012
MVPSportsMagazine.com
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