DARLINGTON - As freshman Emma Tuescher chases her dream for a scholarship and a chance to become a professional on the rodeo circuit, she's becoming a trailblazer in helping grow the sport as the first at Darlington High School and one of a few across the state to represent her school on a rodeo team.
Tuescher, Darlington, has competed in over 80 rodeos in the past five years. She will become the first athlete from Green or Lafayette County to compete in a high school rodeo May 4 in Tomah. She's excited about the affiliation with the high school and representing the Redbirds.
"It's really something we didn't believe the school would have," Tuescher said of a rodeo team. "I ultimately would love to get a scholarship to compete at the college level and maybe on to professional."
Tuescher's mother, Christine Tuescher, discussed the idea of having the school add a rodeo team with Darlington Activities Director Kurt Cohen in the fall, and the Darlington school board approved it in November. Emma is the only member on the team, but she's looking to see it grow.
"I'm extremely grateful for all of the support from the community and school for giving this opportunity to other kids," Emma said. "We are willing to help anyone get started. There are some girls interested, but they are worried about the cost of the horse, and some boys are interested in bull riding."
Emma said the cost of a beginning rodeo horse can range from $2,000 to $4,000 and other horses for more experienced rodeo participants can range from $5,000 to more than $10,000. Emma has three horses - her roping horse is Boone, and her two barrel-racing horses are Lena and K.C.
Cohen said having the school approve a rodeo team allows Emma to enter more rodeos across the country. He said the school board felt if they can do something to offer students more opportunities, they should. Christine Tuescher is serving as the volunteer rodeo coach.
Like other sports, Emma has her own health care insurance through her family. Participants also sign a waiver through the Wisconsin High School Rodeo Association and can purchase more health insurance coverage through them and the National Rodeo Association.
"The high school administration and the school board have been very supportive of our request to start a rodeo team," Christine said. "It's something we really think is diversified. We think it will set a precedent and have more schools start high school rodeo teams. It's a lot of hard work and training just like it is with football, basketball or baseball."
Emma still recalls her first rodeo in fifth grade in Viroqua where she competed in barrel racing and goat tying.
"She was really scared," Christine said.
After partaking with the encouragement of friends, Emma was hooked.
"It's something that has become my passion," she said.
Emma has learned to cope with the successes and challenges of rodeos. Last fall, her barrel-racing horse Fallon died unexpectedly. She spent extra time training and trying to season her backup horse, Lena, so she could finish the Little Britches and Wisconsin Rodeo seasons.
"It was definitely hard at the start," Emma said. "(Fallon) was a very special horse to me. I'm grateful we had Lena there. I'm thankful for that. After a few rodeos where we had to smooth it out, I think we finished strong."
Emma finished second in the Little Britches Rodeo last year, and in her last Wisconsin High School rodeo she took 11th riding Lena in barrel racing.
She has had success in breakaway roping, which is currently her favorite event. In breakaway roping, she rides her horse and then has to rope a calf.
"It's a very fast-paced event," Emma said. "I love the feeling you get when you come out of the box and rope them right away."
Emma and her mother spent time hauling Lena over the winter. She attended a roping clinic in Arena and a barrel-racing clinic. It was all with an eye toward seasoning Lena for the spring rodeo season and her debut representing Darlington.
Christine is confident that Lena is ready to race out of the gate this spring.
"She's seasoned and after hauling her more in the winter, she's ready for the spring season," Christine said.
Tuescher, Darlington, has competed in over 80 rodeos in the past five years. She will become the first athlete from Green or Lafayette County to compete in a high school rodeo May 4 in Tomah. She's excited about the affiliation with the high school and representing the Redbirds.
"It's really something we didn't believe the school would have," Tuescher said of a rodeo team. "I ultimately would love to get a scholarship to compete at the college level and maybe on to professional."
Tuescher's mother, Christine Tuescher, discussed the idea of having the school add a rodeo team with Darlington Activities Director Kurt Cohen in the fall, and the Darlington school board approved it in November. Emma is the only member on the team, but she's looking to see it grow.
"I'm extremely grateful for all of the support from the community and school for giving this opportunity to other kids," Emma said. "We are willing to help anyone get started. There are some girls interested, but they are worried about the cost of the horse, and some boys are interested in bull riding."
Emma said the cost of a beginning rodeo horse can range from $2,000 to $4,000 and other horses for more experienced rodeo participants can range from $5,000 to more than $10,000. Emma has three horses - her roping horse is Boone, and her two barrel-racing horses are Lena and K.C.
Cohen said having the school approve a rodeo team allows Emma to enter more rodeos across the country. He said the school board felt if they can do something to offer students more opportunities, they should. Christine Tuescher is serving as the volunteer rodeo coach.
Like other sports, Emma has her own health care insurance through her family. Participants also sign a waiver through the Wisconsin High School Rodeo Association and can purchase more health insurance coverage through them and the National Rodeo Association.
"The high school administration and the school board have been very supportive of our request to start a rodeo team," Christine said. "It's something we really think is diversified. We think it will set a precedent and have more schools start high school rodeo teams. It's a lot of hard work and training just like it is with football, basketball or baseball."
Emma still recalls her first rodeo in fifth grade in Viroqua where she competed in barrel racing and goat tying.
"She was really scared," Christine said.
After partaking with the encouragement of friends, Emma was hooked.
"It's something that has become my passion," she said.
Emma has learned to cope with the successes and challenges of rodeos. Last fall, her barrel-racing horse Fallon died unexpectedly. She spent extra time training and trying to season her backup horse, Lena, so she could finish the Little Britches and Wisconsin Rodeo seasons.
"It was definitely hard at the start," Emma said. "(Fallon) was a very special horse to me. I'm grateful we had Lena there. I'm thankful for that. After a few rodeos where we had to smooth it out, I think we finished strong."
Emma finished second in the Little Britches Rodeo last year, and in her last Wisconsin High School rodeo she took 11th riding Lena in barrel racing.
She has had success in breakaway roping, which is currently her favorite event. In breakaway roping, she rides her horse and then has to rope a calf.
"It's a very fast-paced event," Emma said. "I love the feeling you get when you come out of the box and rope them right away."
Emma and her mother spent time hauling Lena over the winter. She attended a roping clinic in Arena and a barrel-racing clinic. It was all with an eye toward seasoning Lena for the spring rodeo season and her debut representing Darlington.
Christine is confident that Lena is ready to race out of the gate this spring.
"She's seasoned and after hauling her more in the winter, she's ready for the spring season," Christine said.
