Weatherford College- Southwest Region

Cierra Kunesh from Weatherford College is currently NIRA (National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association) ranked # 1 in the nation in the breakaway roping event.  She is 19 years old and is a sophomore.  Her major is Veterinary Technology and she definitely has a bright future in rodeo as well in the equine world. Western All American is proud to have the chance to show off a great athlete from the college rodeo scene.

Q:  It’s great to go to college and be part of a team, besides college rodeo, what else about college do you enjoy?  How important is school and grades to you?

College is great experience for everyone but being on a team makes it ten times more enjoyable and eventful! Team members are a family away from home, it is comforting to know they are there for you like a brother or sister as well as the coaches are around for advice like a parent. I also cherish the long road trips to rodeos believe it or not, practicing and meeting new people. Rodeo is a huge family, which makes the networking gratifying when you can help someone out or get help in return.

Grades and schooling is the most important part of college. After all, the reason for a secondary education is to get higher education for an advanced career. I believe good grades and good resources get good jobs. Rodeo is a huge bonus in my mind; I wouldn’t want to be at school without being on a team but school comes first.

Q: What events did you compete in this 2011-12 college rodeo season?

Breakaway roping, goat tying, team roping and barrel racing

Q: What event(s) are you having the most success in right now?

Breakaway roping

Q: What kind of attitude and mind frame do you have to have competing at the college rodeo level?

First and foremost keeping a positive attitude! Whether I win or lose, I have always been taught to stay positive and enter the next one. Don’t quit and don’t blame it on other things. Just fix it, keep training and trying.

Q: You are #1 in the nation in Breakaway roping right now, does that put an added pressure on you during the spring rodeo season to stay on top until the 2012 CNFR?

Yes, it definitely does. I have to take care of business, be consistent and do what it takes to stay on top. I have big goals in mind and lots to accomplish before the season ends.

Q: What was your most memorable moment this college rodeo season?

Winning the Alpine College Rodeo because I didn’t make the short go at the rodeo before and won both rounds in Alpine.

Q: What do you do to prepare yourself and your horse before you enter the arena for your run?

Pray for safety and thank God for the opportunity. I get a bale out and rope it to warm myself up and picture my run over and over in my head just how I want it to go. I always do my best to find out what the stock does that I’m competing on at that time so I can get a game plan. My horse always acts like he needs three hours of loping to get the hump out of his back but usually it’s a bluff.

Q: How important is the team aspect of a rodeo team and what do you do to help one another out?

This is huge! I find this very important because help and support from the other girls, makes our runs and rodeo a lot easier. I try to make sure they know what their stock might do and what the score is. All four of us work a couple of events so sometimes we need help warming up horses and filling in as directors. It’s a team effort every weekend and it takes everyone working together to win team championships.

Q: Who has been your mentor to help you with some of the success you have had in rodeo?

More than one or even ten people, but my father has always kept me very well mounted and my mother has kept a rig under me to go down the road. Both are my biggest supporters!

Q:  When did you begin to rodeo and when did you start roping?

I started getting lead at the rodeos at age 3 and roping at 8.

Q: What are your plans after college rodeo and will you continue to rodeo?

I plan to have a successful sports medicine and equine massage business. Yes, rodeo will always be a part of my life.

Q: What advise can you give the High School rodeo athlete that plans on being part of a rodeo college team?

Work hard to have the most success in high school rodeo and rodeo for the college you want to rodeo for. Don’t settle for less at any given time and be a team player. Others will get you farther. Appreciate everyone who helps and supports you through the highs and the lows. Be a humble winner and loser also keep a winning positive attitude.

Q: Which college rodeo that you have attended do you feel is the best? (Why)?

Stephenville is the best in my mind. It’s the last one before the CNFR.  It has the most pressure and determines the champions; this is what makes it the best.

Q:  Do you have a funny or serious story that you would like to tell us about your college rodeo life?

I have a story that was bad at the time but funny after the matter. Cadee Tew and Savannah Todd are my traveling partners to the rodeos and this particular weekend we were about endure to Perryton. To start out I was an hour late to meet them at the college farm. After I get on the road Savannah calls me saying she has to go to the vet to have her rope horse stitched up before she can leave so Cadee and I head out. After getting 20 miles down the road we blow a new tire and cannot get the lug nuts off. We call around for help for about two hours while time is running short by this time because I was up in the goat tying that night and it’s a good 6 hour drive from where we were. I called Savannah to come back and pick my horse and me up. I left Cadee and the other horses there so I could try and make the rodeo that night. Savannah and I get to Quanah; pull over to fuel up and she runs over a curb and pops a trailer tire. She and I get back on the road to pull into Perryton with enough time to get parked, saddle and make a run. Cadee calls saying she is back on the road with help from a biker but has no lights on the trailer and fuel gage isn’t working in my truck. She gets close to town at about mid night and has another blow out on the trailer but neither of us had a spare at this time. At last she finally limped into town. After the weekend ended the Weatherford College rodeo team went home with three buckles in the breakaway, all around and the women’s team. It was a weekend well spent in many ways as well as unforgettable.

Q:  Now that you are on winter break and college rodeo is over until spring, what will you do to stay sharp with your roping?

I will rope over break on practice horses and enter open ropings to stay sharp. My good horse is out until the first of the year because of surgery so this is a good opportunity to get more done on young horses.

Q:  What type of rope do you use and why?

The 10.2 striker made by Classic. I will only rope with a four strain rope and this one has the perfect amount of play and smoothness.

Q:  What is your horses name and how long have you been competing with him?

Little Big Man is his name; I have been competing on him for four years. I do all events except barrel racing on him.

Q:  How much of advantage do you feel your horse has been to you in breakaway roping?

I give him all the credit. I didn’t have him my first semester of college due to injury and it has been a blessing since I have been back on him. He scores sharp and breaks harder than anything I have been on. Wouldn’t be where I am without him.

Q:  What is your goal for the 2012 college rodeo season?

I want to compete to my best ability and win a team championship at the CNFR

Q:  Besides college rodeo, what other accomplishments have you had in rodeo, high school, amateur, etc.

NCBRA regional and national champ. Most coachable award. All star team captain. MHSRA president and secretary. Numerous district, state and open rodeo all around championships. 2xs NHSFR qualifier. Barrel of gold fast time. Northern Rodeo association rookie of the year, barrel racing and all around year end champion.

Q:  What other hobbies or activities to you enjoy besides rodeo?

Roping with friends, training horses, ranching, traveling, and seeing family.

Q:  What is it like to be part of the rodeo team at Weatherford College?

Once in a life time experience! Loving every day of it! We have it good here in Weatherford. :]