Otero College Rodeo sweeps National Western Stock Show and Rodeo Collegiate Horseman’s Challenge

The National Western Stock Show added an invitational Collegiate Challenge to the Horseman’s Challenge event in 2022. The Collegiate Challenge was created to engage local college equestrian programs and offer additional scholarship opportunities. Five Colorado higher education programs will each select two representatives to compete on Jan. 17 and 18 in the CINCH Arena in the Events Center. Colleges included in the 2023 event included Colorado Mesa University, Colorado State University, Northeastern Junior College, Otero College, and the University of Colorado.

The Horseman’s Challenge was created in 2018 to provide a challenging, educational, and entertaining opportunity for local and national equestrians to be involved in a growing and evolving discipline. In this timed obstacle course, horse and rider teams face obstacles and maneuvers testing their horsemanship and confidence in each other. It is open to all ages of horse and rider and breeds of horse, pony, mule, or donkey.

The ten collegiate competitors competed in the open Individual Rounds with all competitors on Tuesday and created a team for the Team Challenge Wednesday morning. Otero’s competitors: Bella Ayers of Pueblo West and Lorah Jacobson of Pagosa Springs finished first in the team challenge paired up with NJC’s Ranch Horse Team competitors Zoey Boos and Colton Bashor. Ayers also took home The Collegiate Challenge title.

Ayers received a $2,000 scholarship provided by the National Western Scholarship Trust and other awards.

If you’re interested in learning more about Otero’s Rodeo Program, contact Head Coach, Linsay Sumpter at 719-384-6876 or email Linsay.Sumpter@otero.edu.