Saddle club open to teen girls
By Holly Neumann
The HomeTown Heroes Youth Equestrian Drill Team will begin its first season in 2022.
The team will operate under the Rodeo City Riders Saddle Club and is open to girls ages 12-18 years of age. It has been created in an effort to get youth involved and prepare them for joining the Rodeo City Riders down the road.
“Manawa has been the heart of the Rodeo City Riders Drill Team for over 20 years,” said Tori Boyea, who will coach the team with Cierra Verbaten and Tabatha Luepke. “We see the importance and demand for creating a youth team to get girls ready to perform at PRCA rodeos.”
The team will travel in partnership with the Rodeo City Riders Drill Team to select rodeos during the summer and open shows with a six-minute routine set to music while mounted on their horses and carrying flags.
Honoring hometown heroes
Team members will perform in honor of hometown heroes, Luepke said.
“It is important to support local fire and police departments to bring light to the incredible work they do for their communities,” she said. “We want to show our support for them in the best way we know possible: riding our horses and performing at rodeos in their honor.”
Verbaten said riders should have great control in the saddle, the ability to memorize a routine and have a passion for what they will do as a team member.
“They do not have to have drill team experience, but it is always good to have good horsemanship and a great attitude,” she said.
“They have to have access to their own horse or a horse that they are leasing or borrowing,” Luepke said. “It is important that they display good horsemanship skills when trying out for the team. Above all, they should have a positive attitude and be a team player.”
The coaches said they are excited to share their talents with area youth.
“I came from a family with no horse or rodeo experience,” Boyea said. “There is absolutely no way I would be where I’m at without this sport. With the knowledge I’ve gained, it’s time to give back and inspire those who have similar stories.”
“The Rodeo City Riders Drill Team is like a second family to me,” Verbaten said. “I want the youth to be able to have that chance at a second family with new people and be able to learn from each other and have such wonderful memories with each other like I do.”
An informational meeting about the team will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16, at Bear Lake Resort, N4715 State Highways 22/110, Manawa.
The HomeTown Heroes Youth Equestrian Drill Team can also be followed on Facebook.
The hope is that the girls enjoy the experience and gain horsemanship skills.
“They will put in countless hours of hard work,” Luepke said. “The experience of performing in a rodeo makes it all worth it. I want them to enjoy being part of a great team.”
“The biggest thing for these girls is to gain camaraderie with one another,” Boyea said. “Girls from various schools will get a chance to meet one another and share the love of horses all summer long. Their riding will evolve immensely and they will end the season being even more confident and knowledgeable in the saddle.”