Audrey Fish, a high school junior from Wellston, quite literally grew up competing at the Chandler Open Rodeo.
“Since I was very little, probably two, I used to ride my ponies there. My dad was leading me around the barrels,” she said while on the road for a National High School Rodeo Association event in Wyoming.
Fish, a breakaway roper who competes all over the country, calls theChandlerOpenRodeoherhometown rodeo, asWellston doesn’t host one. She enjoys competing here since it gives her friends a chance to see what she does.
The rodeo fits conveniently in the middle of her schedule. Fish said they hit up bigger rodeos first in the year, and then if they don’t have anything planned, she’ll compete in some open rodeos orAmerica Cowboy Rodeo Association (ACRA) rodeos. This year, she’s roping at the Lazy-E Arena on Thursday and Friday before the Chandler event, so it’s a tight schedule.
“I’m excited to come back home and just show everyone what I can do and try to win the Spurs,” she said. “I always love going to the Chandler rodeo because it’s like my hometown rodeo, so we kind of don’t plan anything for that weekend, so we can try to go there.”
Her biggest accomplishment at the open rodeo was last year, when she won both go-rounds in breakaway roping on both nights. She was close to winning the custom spurs that are gifted to the highest money earner as well, but just barely got beaten out, since breakaway didn’t have equal added money like barrels -- something that has changed this year.
Rodeo is something Fish takes very seriously. She hopes to continue competing through college and pursue a professional career afterwards. She also wants to become an equine chiropractor, something she says she can do while she’s on the road.
Fish plans to compete in breakaway roping and possibly team roping this year with her horse Studless.
The 85th Annual Chandler Open Rodeo is set to take place on July 25 and 26 at the Chandler Round Up Club RodeoArena next to the Route 66 Pavilion, with things kicking off at 8 p.m. each night.
There will be a concessions stand with burgers and hot dogs, along with new seating and lights.
There will be a kids’calf scramble both nights, along with bareback riding, ranch bronc riding, tie down roping, open barrels, junior barrels, women’s breakaway roping, team roping and bull riding.
There will also be a baby bale sprint.
Thehighmoneywinnerfromboth nights combined will win custom spurs by Kirby Wanger.
Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for kids (6-12) in advance and $8 and $6 at the gate.
Tickets can be purchased from United Country Real Estate or any Queen candidate.