Three Rivers Secrets. Southwest Youth Rodeo Association. Three Rivers Lifestyle Magazine.


The Southwest Youth Rodeo Association

All of Montana’s rodeos spread smiles across the faces of competitors and spectators alike, but the Southwest Youth Rodeo Association (SWYRA) can lay claim to being the most fun of all. It’s an association where family rules the roost and where all the kids are winners. These 18-and-under competitors wear smiles that are bigger than even the biggest belt buckles. The SWYRA, entering just its 4th year, is thriving. Rodeos remain constant at 12 per season, but the locations vary from year to year. The season kicks off this year on Mother’s Day in Ramsey and wraps up with the finals after Labor Day in Deer Lodge. Widely considered the founder and now the unofficial president, Peggy Smith recently discussed the origins and growth of the association. Multi-tasking like she so often does on game-day, she talked while feeding a newborn piglet. Although Peggy receives much of the credit for the success story, she’s quick to point out that putting on a series of rodeos wouldn’t be possible without the help of the families who compete. Parents donate all sorts of services, not the least of which is often the arena to rodeo in. Peggy points out that the SWYRA is the brainchild of her daughter, Carrie Smith. Carrie competed in the Northern Rodeo Association and in high school and college rodeo. With a younger brother, Garrett Smith at home, it occurred to her that there was no circuit suited for young boys. She approached her mother with the idea of creating an all-inclusive association. It could be just what was needed to keep boys like Garrett interested in roping and riding. After a winter of completing paperwork and jumping thru hoops, the non-profit SWYRA was established. Carrie has stayed on as the SWYRA secretary, volunteering countless hours. Peggy estimated that participation has doubled since the SWYRA’s inception. And given that it’s about the kids, she’s quite pleased with the increase. The rodeos are a great tune-up for high school rodeo, if not an alternative for some families. According to Peggy, one advantage over the high school circuit is that the SWYRA can accommodate all from teens to the “little bitty kids.” She schedules one-day affairs starting late enough in the morning to minimize time away from home. The goal is to allow families to compete without making overnight trips. It makes for long days for those who travel the farthest, but families appreciate being home at the end of the day. The Double J Arena of Potomac hosted the 2004 finals, and a long list of sponsors were gracious enough to provide the goods and hardware to send almost every competitor home with a prize. In fact, nobody went home empty handed. Rodeo-mom, frequent volunteer and fund-raiser, Gayle McLean put a t-shirt in the hands of every contestant. She also randomly selected competitors throughout the day and handed out a pile of donated door prizes. As if that wasn’t enough, the finals concluded with a no-charge potluck barbeque. Nobody went home with an empty stomach, either. At the start of the finals, the parents surprised many of the volunteers and organizers with gifts, including flowers. Peggy and Carrie were both among the honorees, along with announcers, timers, judges and unofficial photographer, Lynn Hirschy. It was a gesture that shows the parents and kids alike appreciate tremendously all the hard work that goes into each and every event. Each of the honorees smiled in embarrassment. Watching three-year-old Tanner Salmond rope dummies and swagger away confidently put a smile on even the most stoic cowboy face, again proving that the smiles don’t always belong to the kids. Tanner’s a cowboy all about his business and his face tells the tale. He’s serious about his craft, having picked up roping effortlessly. As so many know, ranch and rodeo instills outstanding values in Montana’s children. The SWYRA gives them an opportunity to put their best behavior on display. They don’t disappoint. In fact, not just the adults are the role models. Little Tanner idolizes Garrett Smith. After a steer stepped on Garrett’s shoulder one weekend last year, Tanner ran the length of the arena to check on his hero. Peering up and under Garrett’s cowboy hat to make eye contact, he asked, “You alright? I’ll help you.” It was one priceless moment of many, seeing and hearing the little boy’s genuine concern. Seeing a little cowgirl tie her hat’s stampede strings to a goat during the finals is another such moment. The sight dared onlookers to smile, if not laugh. Knowing that her frustration was no laughing matter, most fought the urge, only grinning or looking away. With hand over mouth to hide a smile, maybe some resorted to biting their bottom lip. Pointing out the obvious, as mothers do so expertly, the little cowgirl was reminded immediately not to wear that hat again when tying goats. Her exasperated glare, although momentary, was priceless, yet soon enough she was having fun again, her gloom replaced by youthful exuberance and a huge smile. Last year in Ronan quite a group of youngsters gathered during the barrel race, ready to charge into the arena to retrieve barrel racers’ dropped hats. Watching the little ones dive headlong into the dirt was as entertaining as any of the events that day. On one occasion, gate-man, rodeo-dad, and all-around volunteer Fred Hirschy nonchalantly beat them to the job. Watching the kids pile up and come up empty-handed was one of the brightest moments of the day, spreading contagious laughter throughout the arena. Polson is widely considered the highlight of the season. After the rodeo, kids and horses alike head for the river. Quite a number of the kids are ready to go at the start of the day, wearing their bathing suits beneath their cowboy or cowgirl duds. It’s a treat to both swim and swim the horses after a long, hot day. But, make no mistake about it; these youngsters compete their hearts out. There’s as much try in these guys and gals as there is in any seasoned cowboy or cowgirl. And with four age classes and several age-appropriate events, the association is true to its family foundation. For age group and event class information, please refer to the sidebar. True to rodeo, there’s camaraderie amongst the kids. Even though they all compete to win and try to do their best each time out, all are incredibly supportive of each other. It’s a quality that’s unique to rodeo. At a young age, these kids have figured out there’s satisfaction in doing their best and in helping each other do their best as well. It’s heartwarming to see such teamwork in what the novice might think is an individual sport. Further evidence that it’s a family affair can be found all around each of the arenas that the youngsters compete in. You’ll find parents and other family members pulling chutes, moving barrels, manning gates, hazing cattle and even announcing events. It’s not a burden to any one of them. Peggy is quick to point out that the SWYRA was designed with fun in mind. Bickering of any sort isn’t tolerated and, according to Peggy, the unofficial motto is, “Enjoy yourself or go home.” Parents are encouraged to cheer their kids and, most importantly, to let them have fun. Stacy and Terry Hedrick haul youngsters Courtney and Ty to every SWYRA event. Stacy echoed much of the sentiment expressed by Peggy. She agrees that the SWYRA is a much-needed outlet for her son Ty. The high school circuit doesn’t afford the opportunity to rodeo with both her youngsters, as Ty isn’t old enough yet. Stacy also noted that the SWYRA uses the high school rodeo rulebook. The association is an excellent stepping-stone for kids who choose to use it as such. And even though it’s about fun, Stacy said the kids compete hard, but more so against the clock than against each other. Courtney did her family proud this past season. Competing against older boys and girls, the 15-year-old won the 14 to 18 all-around title. For her efforts she took home a trophy saddle and impressive bragging rights. The title is given to the competitor who tallies the most total points from his or her best eight rodeos of the season. It’s an honor that rewards both consistency and diversity, but doesn’t penalize a competitor who can’t make all the events. Asked why she rodeos, Courtney said as a matter of fact, “I love it! My family does it, and it’s part of my heritage.” For Courtney, rodeo is a way of life; it’s in her blood. She started riding along with her Dad as a baby, and she first competed as an eight-year-old. Courtney expects to gradually shift her focus to high school rodeo and then to college and beyond. But for now, the SWYRA is a great fit. Courtney pointed out that it’s not just a tune-up for her, but also for her young horses that she’ll compete on in coming years. Not surprisingly, she added, “It’s fun!” Although she’ll compete more and more on the high school level, she’ll continue in the SWYRA. Folks, you don’t have to haul horses and kids to enjoy the SWYRA. The association might be western Montana’s best-kept secret. It’s great watching and you’re all invited to check out the action. None of the rodeos charge admission, so c’mon out! Twelve rodeos are scheduled, including the finals.


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