San Jacinto College students participating in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) are ready to start this rodeo season off with a YEEHAW!
San Jac student and cattle handler, Tierney Leopard participates in HLSR showing longhorns. She said she and her team will move 20 longhorns into Reliant Center Thursday, March 6, and they will remain there for four days.
This is Leopard’s fourth year showing at the Houston Rodeo where she said she enjoys the opportunity to teach audiences about the animals.
“I really love to show these longhorns,” she said, “and I love to educate people about the breed, what we do with the animals, and how lovable these big animals are.”
According to Leopard, 50 to 100 people show livestock at big rodeos and state fairs, and thousands of people come through to look at all the animals.
Leopard is part of a thirteen-person team where she is the oldest at 21 while the youngest participants are 11. She said she will be showing a heifer named Strawberry Sundae, a cow named Bubbles, and a bull named Stars to Eternity.
Leopard wins prizes every year, and she refers to the winnings as “confidence builders.” She said some of the prizes help to further her education and pay for school. She won a $2,000 scholarship, every year for the last three years.
Also, Leopard said she receives prizes that she keeps as reminders of her accomplishments.
“Prizes that are not money- related such as the belt buckles, ribbons, banners, and plaques are great reminders of the success I’ve had in the show ring, and also for the possibility of receiving that prize again,” Leopard said.
Fellow San Jac student Hope Kaiser said she eats, breathes and sleeps Rodeo Houston.
“I have been going to the rodeo ever since my momma was pregnant with me,” Kaiser said.
Kaiser said she has family that are members of the HLSR, which in addition to showcasing livestock, benefits youth by supporting education in the Houston area and helping kids with agricultural practices.
Kaiser said she will also see some of the artists performing as part of the entertainment lineup.
“I am very excited for this year,” Kaiser said. “I’m going to see Luke Bryan and Easton Corbin and a whole bunch of country artists at Houston Rodeo. Rodeo is a big part or my life. It always has, and always will be.”