I wasn't born into rodeo. I didn't grow up on a big ranch. I didn't come from a rodeo family. I didn't have generations of knowledge behind me, and I certainly didn't have a bank account ready to support the lifestyle.
My kids brought me into this world.
When my oldest son discovered rodeo, it was obvious almost immediately that this wasn't just a hobby. It was his passion. It was the thing that lit a fire inside him. And I've always believed that when our kids find something they truly love, something that pushes them to work hard and become better versions of themselves, we should do everything we can to help them chase it.
So that's what I did.
I learned as I went. I figured things out one step at a time. I worked harder than I ever thought I would have to. I stretched budgets, sacrificed wants, and found ways to make things work. Not just for one child, but for all four of my boys.
There were times it was hard. Really hard.
Rodeo is expensive. Entry fees, equipment, travel, fuel, clinics, memberships—it adds up fast. Every year the costs seem to climb higher. This year is, without a doubt, our most expensive rodeo season yet.
And I think it's important to say this: I don't have some huge financial backing making it possible.
We are a single-income household. Ryan works full-time, and I handle everything else. The kids, the schedules, the appointments, the meals, the laundry, the planning, the driving, the endless juggling act that comes with raising a family. Together, we're responsible for six boys. Six growing, busy, expensive boys.
It's a lot.
But somehow, we make it work.
The truth is, we have been incredibly blessed with an amazing support system. Family, friends, sponsors, and community members have stepped in time and time again to encourage us, support us, and help us keep moving forward. Without them, this journey would have looked very different.
Their support is one of the reasons this idea was born.
Because it made me start wondering:
How many kids never get the chance?
How many talented young athletes walk away from rodeo because the cost is simply too much?
How many families look at the numbers and decide that no matter how badly their child wants it, they just can't make it happen?
Those are the kids I can't stop thinking about.
As I've started sharing my vision for this foundation, I've heard different opinions. One of the most common is, "If you can't afford it, you don't do it."
But I disagree.
Not because I think money doesn't matter, but because we already recognize this reality in almost every other youth sport.
Families struggle to afford hockey, baseball, soccer, dance, gymnastics, and countless other activities. That's why organizations and programs exist to help. Programs like KidsSport were built around a simple belief:
Every kid deserves a chance to play.
So why should that belief stop when we talk about rodeo?
As a hockey parent, I've spent countless hours fundraising. I've sold raffle tickets, worked booths, paid extra fees, and volunteered my time to help support a team and create opportunities for kids to participate.
That's normal.
It's accepted.
It's encouraged.
Yet when it comes to rodeo, there is very little support available for families facing the same challenges.
That's what I want to change.
This foundation isn't about handing things out. It's about opening doors.
It's about helping a kid enter one more rodeo.
It's about making sure a young athlete has the equipment they need to compete safely.
It's about helping cover the cost of a clinic, a school, a membership, or an emergency expense when a family is already stretched to their limit.
It's about giving passionate kids an opportunity to keep chasing their dreams.
Will we be able to help every single child? No.
At least not right away.
But every foundation starts somewhere.
My hope is that this grows into something much bigger than me. Something bigger than my family. Something bigger than one rodeo season.
I want it to become a community that believes in young athletes and invests in their futures.
I want it to become a place where kids know that their dreams matter.
Most of all, I want the child with the biggest heart, the strongest work ethic, and the most determination to know that a lack of money doesn't automatically mean a lack of opportunity.
Because every kid deserves a chance to try.
And that's my why.
This foundation is still in its early stages, but every great idea starts with people who believe in it.
If this mission speaks to you, if you believe every child deserves the opportunity to pursue their passion regardless of financial circumstances, I'd love to connect with you.
Whether you have experience, ideas, resources, fundraising knowledge, sponsorship connections, or simply a desire to help make a difference, I am looking for people who want to be part of building something meaningful for the next generation of rodeo athletes.
If you're interested in helping create this foundation and being part of its journey from the ground up, please reach out to me. Together, we can create opportunities for kids who might otherwise never get the chance.
Let's build something incredible.
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