Locals to compete at College National Finals Rodeo
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Abby Knight of Charlo and Will Powell of St. Ignatius will be competing in the College National Finals Rodeo competition June 12-18 in Casper, Wyoming. The two riders had to place top-three in their events in the Big Sky Region to qualify for nationals.
Knight, who competes as a sophomore for the University of Great Falls, will be riding her horse Mables Little Rocket “Katie” in the barrel racing portion of the CNFR. Although competing with Katie, Knight practices on younger horses because they help her get better as well as training them in the process.
“I am always trying to better myself,” Knight said. “To do this I ride my horses every day to keep them in shape, as well as practice. I only practice on Katie once a week because she knows her job, but I use my young horses to better myself.”
Powell, who competes as a freshman at Montana State University, has three different horses he trains because he competes in steer wrestling, team roping and calf roping. He has a strong relationship with his horses Squirt, Natural and Slade.
“We have to be buddies,” Powell said. “All of my horses are different and I have to makes sure each get enough attention. I kind of baby them.”
Knight and Powell were both influenced in rodeo by their parents. Knight’s mother team penned, her dad was a roper, and she grew up watching her older sister rodeo.
“My family has always been involved with rodeo,” Knight said. “I started riding horses when I was 2 years old and my passion for it has grown as I have gotten older.”
Powell grew up on a ranch surrounded by riding, and enjoys the quality time he gets with his family.
“My dad still team ropes,” Powell said. “My two brothers rodeoed and my one brother, Riley, continues to rodeo. We rope together during the summer at the amateur and pro rodeos.”
The two college students hope that their background in rodeo will help them succeed at the CNFR. Knight competed last year, but has a different outlook this time around.
“I let nerves get the best of me,” Knight said. “Now that I know the ropes, I am pretty confident going in.”
Knight plans on making the CNFR for the next two years of her college career and after college will continue to be involved in the Northern Rodeo Association as well as the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.
This will be Powell’s first year at the CNFR’s and he’s looking to enjoy the experience while coming out with a win. After college, Powell plans to rodeo for a living and make it to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.
“Rodeo has really shaped the person I am today. It has taught me how to be responsible and take care of my animals, treat people with respect, how to travel, and how to manage money,” Powell said. “Without rodeo, I would not be the person I am today.”
