4 The WRANGLER, Horse and Rodeo News • April 20 - May 4, 2020
CHANCE STEVIE
Wri en by Kris e Freudenburg
Pinedale High School senior, Chance Stevie,
never ques oned if he would rodeo. It was
ingrained in him since birth. "My dad and my
whole family rodeo. They got me into it when I was
young." He began by compe ng at local events
at a young age, before transi oning to Wyoming
Junior High School Rodeo in 8th grade, and now is
finishing his final year compe ng in the Wyoming
High School Rodeo Associa on (WHSRA).
Chance is the son of Mike Stevie and Jonnie
Wright, and has two older sisters, Rochelle
and Annie, and a younger brother, Waylon. His
family's support has always been important to
him, par cularly the influence of his dad. "My dad
has taught me so much, and ge ng to rope with
him has been such a great experience. He goes
for Chance. "I've liked everything about it. I like
ge ng to hang out with my friends at rodeos, but
I've definitely enjoyed the compe on."
In addi on to rodeo, Chance is a member of
his local FFA chapter and played basketball. He's
also an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoys
helping with the family's ou i ng business. "I
help with the ou i ng business as much as I can,
but it gets pre y hec c with school and other
ac vi es.
A er high school, Chance is considering going
to shoeing school in Arizona and will con nue to
rodeo.
to almost every
single rodeo
with me. I've
also go en a
lot of help from
my uncles, and
other people in
the community"
C h a n c e
competes in
team roping.
While he both
heads and heels,
he focuses
on heeling at
the WHSRA
level. His main
c o m p e t i t i o n
horse is a dun
gelding named
Rio. "We've owned him for about six years now.
He's super nice and makes it way easier for me. My
dad trains most of our horses. We usually don't buy
finished horses, but Rio was an excep on." Chance
stays busy at home, prac cing in the family's arena
and going to as many jackpots as he can.
While there is always room for improvement,
Chance was pleased with his fall rodeo season.
"The season went pre y decent. I think we're
si ng 5th or 6th in the state. My goals for the
spring are to stay solid and try to place in all the
averages. I'm going to do as well as I can, and
hopefully make it to Na onal's for the first me."
Compe ng is WHSRA has been a great experience
Photo by Nicole Uhl Photography
Photo by Scootem-N-Shootem Photography
