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Horsin' AroundLowndes High SchoolValdosta, Georgia by Courtney Sayre, Lowndes High senior photography submitted by the students |
Everyone knows that the Lowndes High Vikings are often referred to as “Plowboys,” a nickname given to them years ago by their Wildcat friends across town. What you may not know is that our “plowboys” have a flipside --- Lowndes High cowgirls! While the sport of rodeo is much more popular in the Midwestern states, it has gained in popularity in the South Georgia-North Florida area. In fact, we have a group of girls here at LHS who compete on a regular basis as members of the Georgia-Florida Youth Rodeo Association. Sophomore Vicky Merriman, Junior Sarah Pleasants and Senior Courtney Sayre all “horse around” on the rodeo circuit. Vicky has been riding horses for nine years and has been involved in rodeo for the past eight years. For her, it is a “family affair” as she has two cousins, Sarah Pleasants and her sister, Katie, who often practice and compete together. Vicky has two horses that she rides. Lady Friend, a nine-year old buckskin mare, boards at KB Horse Camp, and is, in Vicky’s words, “pretty, has lots of heart, and loves her job.” Her other horse is Big Daddy, a bay gelding, and she describes him as “athletic and dependable.” Like any accomplished athlete, Vicky puts in many hours of practice. She spends three to five days a week at KB Horse Camp, for as long as five hours at a time, perfecting her skills at barrel racing, goat tying, pole bending, and breakaway roping. After listing her accomplishments, it is obvious her hard work has paid off. She is a Student Director for Team Roping and was also a member of the Gatordawg 2008 Rodeo Team, moving on to Nationals where she won by over 200 points. She was also named Junior Rodeo Reserve All-Around Cowgirl in 2005, 2006, and 2007. She was the 2005 Barrel Racing Champion, 2007 Goat-Tying Champion, and the 2008 2nd Place Rookie of the Year, missing 1st place by a slim 6-point margin. Though hesitant to name all of her honors, she added that she has placed numerous times at 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in pole bending, barrel racing, and goat tying. While winning prizes and taking top honors drives Vicky to compete, the best part of her sport is the unpredictability, and she enjoys the fun, friendly environment. She and her cousins also have lots of family support which gives her a great cheering section at every event. Sarah Pleasants, a junior at Lowndes High, also competes on the rodeo circuit. Like her cousin, Vicky, Sarah says her sport is fun, exciting, and competitive. Also like Vicky, Sarah has two horses she works with. She and Skeeter, a nine-year old chestnut gelding, compete together, and Banjo, a 15-year old bay gelding, often goes on the rodeo circuit, too. Sarah describes Skeeter as “a bit lazy” but competitive when he needs to be. Banjo, the older of the two, likes to compete yet is “laidback.” She has the luxury of practicing in her own arena at her home where she usually spends every other day with her four-legged friends. Working at home allows her the |
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opportunity to work one-on-one with Skeeter and Banjo and give them the needed practice and repetition they require to learn their part in the events of barrel racing, pole bending, and goat tying.
Sarah has been involved in rodeo about eight years, after being introduced to it by her best friend. She also has a younger sister, Katie, who now enjoys horses and rodeo as well. Sarah’s accomplishments include Reserve Champion in Goat Tying for the past two years and member of the Gatordawg 2008 Rodeo Team, which took her and Vicky to Shawnee, Oklahoma to compete on the national level. Though rodeo may not be as popular here as it is in other places, even Florida, Sarah loves her sport and says it is fun and a great way to make new friends. Senior Courtney Sayre has been a part of rodeo for the past seven years. Unlike Vicky and Sarah, Courtney’s interest actually began some twelve years ago as an English hunter/jumper. It wasn’t until a few years later that Courtney made the switch, and when she did, she brought along her sister, Haley, a freshman at Lowndes High. Together, they practice at their own barn and arena. Courtney spends five days a week working with three of her closest (four-legged) friends. They work year-round on barrel racing and pole bending. Courtney’s trio of horses includes Sadie, a 15-year old gray mare; Montana, a 17-year old sorrel gelding; and Smokie, a 10-year old gray gelding. Like a proud young mother describing her children, Courtney talks about her horses and their individual traits and personalities. She describes Sadie as “easy going” and refers to her as her “baby,” a horse she has had for six years. Montana, her oldest horse, is quite naturally described as “dependable,” but Courtney is quick to say he is not her favorite. It is when she speaks of Smokie that her bright blue-green eyes really sparkle! Obviously her favorite, she says, “He is the best horse for what I do.” Courtney, though quiet and petite, describes her sport as an “adrenaline rush.” Like Vicky and Sarah, Courtney is modest when talking about herself. She, too, has quite a list of accomplishments. She is a Student Director for Calf-roping for the 2008-2009 season, and was a 2006 and 2007 Georgia-Florida Youth Rodeo Association (GFYRA) finalist. In 2007, she placed in the Top Five in pole bending and was a 2007 Gatordawg Rodeo Team qualifier. The next time Viking fans are looking for action and excitement, they need look no further than our own backyards! With three smart and beautiful young ladies like Vicky, Sarah, and Courtney competing on the rodeo circuit, their sport is sure to gain in popularity in our area. Though Lowndes High may be home to our Plowboys, we can also tell you “what the cowgirls do.” • | |
January 2012
Robert Preston Jr. 
Micki K Photography 
