Rodeoing their way to Wyoming

All athletes have one thing in common. The love for their sport flows through their veins and drives them to become better competitors in the arena and better people in the world.
Some athletes, like Brad Hesnor, are born into the love of his sport. “I always liked doing rodeos when I was younger because my grandpa, Thurman Floyed, and my uncle, and my mom, Judy, all messed around with it.”
Still, for other athletes, they grow into the love for their sport later in life like Averie Vidrine. “I didn’t rodeo my whole life,” she said. “Whenever I was younger, I started showing halter horses, and I competed in showmanship and some other riding events that are opposite from rodeo. In the 6th grade, I started running barrels and rodeoing. Then, I’ve been rodeoing for Louisiana since my 7th grade year.”
Both Hesnor and Vidrine, along with Grant Soileau, will take their love of their sport to the National High School Rodeo Finals in Rock Springs, Wyo., beginning July 14. On their way to Wyoming, they will stop in Shawnee, Okla., to compete in the IFYR Rodeo which begins today, July 7.
Vidrine said about the events, “We worked all year to get there, and we faced challenges through the year. So, to be able to come out on top and be able to make it to nationals is pretty big for us.”
One of the challenges came when Vidrine lost her horse going into the state finals in Lake Charles. “I wasn’t sure what I was going to ride,” she said, “but I had a friend loan me a horse.”
“I wish I would have done better at state,” she continued. “I wish I would have placed a little bit higher in the rounds. I went into state number 2 and finished number 4. But, all-in-all, it was good.”
This year is the first time Hesnor and Vidrine compete in nationals; however, Hesnor has competed in Shawnee for the past couple of years.
“Shawnee really pumps me up because it’s such a big place, and there’s a bunch of people over there,” he said. “There’s so much on the line. It really makes you step up your game.”
Hesnor at both competitions will be competing in calf roping and steer wrestling. “My favorite event is probably steer wrestling because it’s such an adrenaline rush, and all the bulldoggers stick together,” he expressed.
Vidrine will be competing in barrel racing at both rodeo events. “I love to run barrels just because I find there’s so many good barrel racers,” she commented. “It makes me want to compete against them and be a better rider. Better competition makes me stronger and strive to be better.”
As for Soileau, he will compete in steer wrestling as well.
Before competing in any rodeo, Hesnor and Vidrine have to undergo preparations for themselves and for their horse.
“I try to prepare my horses and make sure they’re doing as good as possible,” Hesnor said. “I also have to make sure I stay healthy and do everything right in the practice pen so that
I do it right when I go to the rodeos. I also have to make sure my mental game is as good as I’m doing physically.”
“You have to make sure your horses are in shape,” Vidrine said. “You and your horse have to work together as a team. If you don’t get along with your horse, nothing will work.”
Once the preparations are over, Vidrine and Hesnor get to experience their favorite aspects of the rodeo.
“My favorite part is probably the people,” Vidrine said. “Everybody is like a big family. Everybody loves you and supports you. They’re all cheering for you. If you do bad, they’re going to pick you up and cheer you up. Nobody is going to talk bad about you. Everybody wants what’s best for everybody.”
The favorite aspects for Hesnor are “going to different places all over the country and competing on different levels.”
Once they finish their high school rodeo career, both Hesnor and Vidrine look to keep experiencing their favorite aspects of their sport in some capacity.
“I plan on going to college at McNeese and doing college rodeos,” Hesnor said. “Then, I want to go pro for a few years and see how that turns out.”
Vidrine said, “If I get the opportunity to college rodeo, I would definitely keep going. If not, then I’ll go to college and still run some jackpots.”
Aside from learning how to perfect their sport, Hesnor and Vidrine also learned life lessons while competing in rodeos over the years.
“It taught me how to respect everybody for what they can do and taught me responsibility,” Hesnor said. “If you’re not responsible for anything in the rodeo business, then you might as well not do it because you have to take responsibility for everything you do.”
Vidrine concluded, “Rodeoing and being with everybody has given me a work ethic. It’s made me want to work. I’ve had to work for everything I accomplished. It also taught me responsibility. I don’t rely on anybody else. I’m responsible for my own animal. I have to be dedicated, and I have to make myself get up and go practice. I can’t just be lazy. Nothing comes easy. If you want to succeed, you have to work for it.”