The Summerland Advocate-Messenger - Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community

Taylor Ann Bolling has always liked horses. For the past seven years, Bolling has been involved in rodeo and horse-related activities, including 4-H.

Now, she will use skills she has developed to future her education.

The Clearwater Public School senior signed her letter of intent Wednesday, March 11, with Northeast Community College's rodeo team.

She credits watching barrel racing and other events at the Clearwater Rodeo for sparking an interest.

Northeast rodeo coach Fenton Nelsen said Bolling will join the program during its second year of competition.

Currently, 15 students compete and travel with the team.

"For a first year rodeo program, that's pretty big," Nelsen said. "Rodeo team sizes can range from as small as six to as many as 200."

Most teams in this area, have between 15 and 20 particpants.

Bolling decided to attend NECC because they offer a veterinary tech program of study.

"Learning that they had a rodeo team made me decide that Northeast is where I wanted to go to college. It's a new team and I hope to get better at it, Bolling said.

Northeast rodeo competitors compete six times in the fall and four times during the spring semester, at locations in Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota and Nebraska.

Bolling will compete in breakaway roping and barrel racing.

"We're always looking for more female competitors. Rodeo is a dominantly male sport, so to be able to add more female competitors to the sport is helpful."

Nelson said Bolling's attitude will be an asset.

"She's willing to learn. She just seems like she'll fit the team really well."