Jessica Rowland: Hopes to make a living at it

Age:16

Family:Mom – Nancy Rowland, Dad – Keith Rowland and sister – Kaylee Rowland

Hometown: Bonnerdale, Arkansas

School:Lake Hamilton High School

Rodeo events:barrels, poles, goat tying, breakaway, team roping, and trail

What is your future in the sport of rodeo?I would like to be able to make living out of rodeo. I want to become better in all my events and take my rodeo skills to the next level and make the most of the last couple of years that I have in high school rodeo.

What is your ultimate goal as you continue competing in rodeos?To go professional.

Favorite aspect of rodeo:The family atmosphere and the sportsmanship of the competitors. There’s no other sport with the amount as sportsmanship as rodeo.

Best rodeo memory: Winning the short go at the Little Britches National Finals (2012) in Breakaway.

Notable achievements in the sport:Reserve all around at the 2012 Little Britches Finals, my horse won the 2012 Purina Super Horse.

Tell us about your horse:I ride a 12-year-old bay gelding that we raised and trained. His name is Strubo. I do every event on him except barrels. He thinks he’s a person and he LOVES Twizzlers!! He expects one after every run!

Have you attended any rodeo schools? If so, which ones? Yes. Lynn Smith’s goat tying clinic.

Role models/mentors: Ashleigh Baugh

What do you like to do when you’re not competing?Practice for the next rodeo… really!

What’s playing on your iPod/radio? I Will Rise by Chris Tomlin.