Vierstra Ropes In Sucess at SPC

College teaches people many things.

For Cassie Vierstra, an 18-year-old freshman from Twin Falls, Idaho and a member of the South Plains College Rodeo team, being in college has taught her about being more responsible and helped her to be more outgoing.

"I've learned how to be responsible, make great friends that'll last a lifetime,” Vierstra says. “Being in rodeo has made me a more outgoing person. When I was in middle school, I was very shy, and now people wouldn't believe that. It's helped me grow up a lot.”

Vierstra has been interested in rodeo since a very young age. She began working on her rodeo skills at age 7, but has been riding horses since she was a baby.

“I got into rodeo because my older brother and sister were involved," Vierstra added. "I then learned from them and started entering rodeos. I got my first rodeo horse for Christmas when I was 9. I remember running barefoot outside in the snow. I was so excited, I didn't know what to do."

In addition to having two older siblings, Vierstra also has a younger brother and sister. She was raised on a dairy farm in the Twin Falls area and attended Filer High School, where she competed on the rodeo and volleyball squads. Vierstra also participated in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, National Honor Society, 4-H and Future Farmers of America.

Vierstra's first experiences in the rodeo arena were helping clear cows out of the arena when a competition was completed.

"From the time I was 9 until about age 14 or 15," Vierstra says, "I was at every rodeo clearing cows out of the arenas, and I always looked forward to being involved in high school rodeo, which went by so fast. And I had always planned on being involved in college rodeo."

Vierstra recently was named All-Around cowgirl at Sul Ross State University’s rodeo and has had several first-place finishes while competing in events such as tie-down roping, break-away roping and goat-tying for SPC at area college rodeos during the fall semester.

“My family is really supportive of me,” she adds. “My mom always supported us being in rodeo, since she never was in rodeo and wanted to be. She was very supportive while my siblings and I were involved."

“I really like it here. I looked at four other schools in addition to SPC, Howard College, Ranger College, Weatherford College, and Tarleton State University. I really liked the program and coaches and the facility at SPC, so that’s why I chose them,” Vierstra says. “I'm glad we have great coaches. Josh and Clay are amazing coaches, and my teammates are great.”

Vierstra is currently undecided about what field she would like to earn an associate’s degree in.

“I'm really interested in agriculture and maybe the medical field, but I'm still unsure,” Vierstra says. “I want something involving science, either that or rodeo. I’m not too sure where I’m attending after SPC either. I plan on being here three years. With rodeo, classes, and just being a student, time is short, and I want to finish everything I need.”

Vierstra says that everyone who competes in college rodeo has similar goals.

“We’re all after the same thing, to qualify to go to the Intercollegiate National Rodeo Association (INRA) in Casper, Wyo.” Vierstra explains. “I enjoy being involved in competitions. Everyone enjoys it, I think. What would you do if you didn't have competition?”

In addition to having a full class load and rodeo practice, Vierstra tries to find time to participate in other activities she enjoys.

"I like to do typical stuff, something different than rodeo,” she said. “I've been snowboarding since seventh grade. Before that, I skied, and when I tried to pick it up last winter, I couldn’t ski like I used to. I had gotten too used to snowboarding. I also really enjoy jet skiing, playing volleyball, which I played from fiftth grade until my sophomore year in high school, and trying to play basketball. I never played basketball, and I haven't played since third grade. I can't run and dribble.”

What interests Vierstra most about rodeo is the competition between competitors.

“I've always loved horses and love competition,” Vierstra said. “Rodeo brings both of them together. Not everyone has the opportunity to do it, so I am lucky I get to do it. I've competed at rodeos at home a lot and been to qualifiers before. I've qualified for national high school rodeo, but wherever I can go rodeo, I’ll go.”

(Courtesy of Caroline Basile, Plainsman Press)