Saturday, May 31, 2008

Bareback bronc rider earns spot to national finals

Claunch cowboy wins state championship and plans for college career

Nat Holland El Defensor Chieftain Reporter

Quirt McDaniel's performance this season in the New Mexico High School Rodeo Association has been so good, that his spot as the state champion in bareback bronc riding is already guaranteed. That also means he has a spot on the New Mexico team that will compete at the 2008 National High School Finals Rodeo to be held in Farmington this July.

"I'm pretty excited about that," said McDaniel, who lives near Claunch in the northeast corner of Socorro County.

One of this year's graduating high school class, McDaniel plans to attend Oklahoma Panhandle State University this fall, where he received a scholarship to participate on their rodeo team.

"I want to get to the college level and see how I do there," McDaniel said of his rodeo career. "If I excel I'll probably go pro."

After riding steers when he was younger, McDaniel switched to bareback broncs and enjoyed it. Recently a friend taught him how to ride saddle broncs, but "I'm not good at it yet," McDaniel said.

Even though he has the state championship guaranteed, you will definitely be able to find McDaniel at the state finals June 5-8, in Carlsbad. And its not just for the fun — but the funds as well.

McDaniel's success in the NMHSRA events and a few open rodeos has been a chance to earn money.

"This year I was in the (New Mexico Rodeo Council College/High School Challenge) and won that," McDaniel said, describing one of his highlights of the last year.

McDaniel describes himself as someone who is not a very aggressive person, "But when I get on (a bronc) I get real aggressive."

McDaniel does not own practice horses to train for as a bareback bronc rider, but his time spent practicing kicks and waves shows when it comes time to rodeo.

With the opportunities available at Panhandle State, perhaps his star will rise even higher in the rodeo world.

nholland@dchieftain.com

E-mail this story Printer-friendly version