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Best Ever Pads team rider Taylor Rivera packed up her horses and made the drive to Las Vegas, Nevada to college rodeo at the University of Las Vegas.
“I liked UNLV a lot because they had a great program for my major. It is also close to home, so I can switch out horses if I need to,” Rivera said.
Although location and education were a big pull for Rivera, rodeo ultimately made her college decision.
“I really liked the [/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][UNLV] rodeo team. The coaches here were extremely helpful and seemed very supportive,” Rivera said, “I felt that, for rodeo, they were by far my best option.”
The criminal justice major brought quite the herd with her to UNLV, with a string of horses for every women’s event.
I took five horses with me to UNLV. I have Pritzi Maker aka Barney, who I won the High School National Finals on in the barrels in 2013. The other barrel horse I have is French Fast N Famous aka Marcell. He is only five, but is super talented and won the short go at the second college rodeo for me. My head horse is Quail, who Jeremy Gotham generously let me borrow this year. I am breakaway roping on Spyder, we just started him in the breakaway this year, but he’s pretty cool. I tie goats on Blackjack, who is the most honest goat horse I have ever rode, I have ridden him since 7th grade and he qualified me for High School Nationals two times.
Rivera and her horses competed in their first college rodeo, and kept up with the rest of the pack.
“I was fourth in the long go of the barrels on Marcell, and came back to win the short go and [place] 3rd in the average,” Rivera said, “I drew a tough calf in the breakaway, and made a good run but was a bit too long for the short go. However, I was really happy with how Spyder worked since he is kind of green in the breakaway.”
With younger horses, comes a harder work ethic. Rivera takes advantage of her time in the arena and the support she has received from her teammates.
“Having some younger horses like Spyder and Marcell, I was a little worried, but they have both continued to improve and work great since I have been here,” Rivera said, “Practicing as a team, as opposed to alone, helps me to stay competitive. My teammates are all talented and supportive.”
Best Ever Pads wishes the best of luck to Taylor Rivera in all of her academic and rodeo endeavors![/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]