Talk about saving your best for last.
Lindsey Hollond did, and more, at the National High School Rodeo Finals, winning the championship in pole bending by posting her best run in the finals on Saturday in Springfield, Ill.
Hollond topped 173 other national competitors in the slalom-like event.
“It’s really cool,” Hollond said. “I’ve been there the last three years, and I’ve never managed to do well.”
It wasn’t the case this rodeo, as Hollond had the best time in the first round and fourth-best time in the second to give her a slight advantage going into Saturday’s championship.
Although she held the lead, she was the second rider out of 15 cowgirls to compete; the championship used a drawing system to determine who went first.
“I knew I had to be pretty fast but I had to keep (the poles) up,” Hollond said, “so that’s what we did.”
In the final run of her high school career, Hollond’s time of 19.762 seconds wasn’t just good — it was the best time in the weeklong rodeo.
Even then, she had to sit anxiously as 13 more competitors tried to better her mark and overtake her.
“It was really nerve-wracking watching,” Hollond said. “It wasn’t fun.”
Turned out Hollond had no need to be nervous. No one came close to her time, and she walked away with the pole-bending title.
“That was exactly what I wanted,” she said. “Winning the two biggest (events) of the year — that was really great.”
Hollond also finished in 25th place in barrel racing. She was 46th after the first round.
“I was pretty proud of that just because (my horse) Dandy, her main thing is poles,” Hollond said. “We just really excelled this year in barrels. Making it there was a really big accomplishment.
“I was impressed. I didn’t know we’d do that well.”
In addition, Dandy was named AQHA horse of the year, garnering the most points with 770. The horse, along with Hollond, will be featured in an advertisement in the American Quarter Horse Association magazine.
Hollond did not qualify for the All-Around Cowgirl competition because she did not place in the top 20 in two events. Had she finished 20th in barrel racing, she would have been second in the overall standings.
In all, Hollond won $4,750 in college scholarships, two saddles, four belt buckles, and also boots, jeans and other clothing from the championships.
canchaser_412 (anonymous) says...
Great article!
July 30, 2007 at 4:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )