Youth rodeo participants have a new venue for sport

ALTO PASS, Ill. -- J&M Quarter Horses indoor arena in Alto Pass was the scene for sixteen rodeo events in three age divisions on Saturday.

The facility, about a mile from Alto Pass, offers breaking and training of cutting horses, horse sales, riding lessons and clinics, including pole and barrel racing, cutting and pleasure riding. The arena became a venue for youth rodeo in January.

Owners Jerri and Mark Sanders have two children who compete in the youth rodeo events. Knowing the 85-by-200-foot indoor arena could be used for rodeos, Jerri said, she decided to try it after her children and their friends had suggested it.

The series of rodeos will continue monthly until July "so kids have as many opportunities available to compete in rodeos," she said.

It takes about 15 volunteers to run the event. The Sanderses had to build bleachers, expand the parking lot and make concessions to accommodate the rodeo.

About 40 participated in registered daytime events. Breakaway and team roping, without registration, followed. Breakaway requires lassoing a calf in record time, while team roping requires cooperation between a header and a heeler. Participants can win money or, with the highest points, a belt buckle, rewarded for each event.

Lauren Glasco, a senior at Anna-Jonesboro High School, said a lot of students at the school are starting to ride and this is the place they talk about.

Lauren hopped on the saddle as a toddler, just as her 20-year-old sister, Tracy, did. Both young women have been chosen as all-around Cowgirl of the Year in the Illinois High School Rodeo Association. Lauren was chosen in 2005 and her sister in 2004.

Lauren participated in five events Saturday. "Team roping and breakaway are my favorites," she said.

Saturday she participated as a header, lassoing the cow's head, while her father, Tim, the heeler, roped the cow's back feet. Her father supplies cattle for the events at J&M Quarter Horses.

A rodeo scholarship to Tennessee-Martin will keep Lauren in the loop while pursuing a degree in nursing.

Conchetta Nausley of Murphysboro, Ill., cheered for her 8-year-old daughter, Leycosta Clark, who participated in steer daubing. Leycosta was supposed to ride 23-year-old Raider, a third-generation quarter horse whom her mother and grandmother had ridden when they competed, but he came up lame in a previous event.

"The owners lent her a horse to ride so she wouldn't have to forfeit the next three runs. This is the closest and most friendly place to compete at," Nausley said.

She says rodeo is in her blood. "I've rodeoed all my life. It's like a bad habit you can't get rid of."

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133