story by Lily Weinacht
“I think it’s super fun to be able to compete in four different events. I enjoy competing against myself and just trying to beat my previous time, getting better than I was before,” says Aleah Mazurek. “It’s a mentally and physically challenging sport and I really enjoy the teamwork with my horses.” The 15-year-old from Gateway, Colorado, entered the rodeo world about four years ago, inspired by her mom, who grew up participating in 4-H and horse shows. Aleah competes in the CSHSRA in barrel racing, breakaway roping, pole bending, and goat tying, but breakaway and barrels are her favorites. “Breakaway brings me out of my comfort zone, and I can compete all year in barrel racing and win money. I save my money mostly for entry fees, but if I win a lot, it goes to college savings. I love getting to meet new people, and seeing all the variety of talent. All the people at high school rodeos are super supportive and nice, and I really enjoy that.”
During rodeo season, Aleah practices every day, often joined in the arena by her 12-year-old sister, Haley, who competes in junior rodeos. “I don’t think my success would be possible without her,” says Aleah. “In the big rodeo world, I look up to Lisa Lockhart because she’s so consistent and I admire her equitation and horsemanship. Around here, I really look up to my parents (Michael and Kindra Mazurek) because they’re always positive in bad situations.”
Aleah and Haley share a horse named Razzle Dazzle in the goat tying. Aleah taught the mare goat tying since she was originally a gymkhana horse, and she recently taught her barrel horse, Ms. Shameless Chick, how to pole bend as well. “My breakaway horse is Shiftin, and my other barrel horse is Quick. I taught him to do other events, but he’s a big horse so I don’t goat tie off him much.” The family also has five dogs, eight horses, seven cows, two goats, and two cats, while their husky, Wesson, travels to rodeos with them. Aleah and Haley are in charge of all the animal chores as well as several household chores.
A sophomore at Gateway School, Aleah loves science and shop class; however, she’s coming to enjoy Language Arts as well. “We’re finding the deeper meanings in stories, texts, and speeches. I am learning how to weld different beads in shop class, and right now in science I’m learning about the atmosphere and the weather, but I most enjoy working on genetics.” Aleah also used to play volleyball, but she prefers to focus on rodeo now and recently started modeling for The Aspen Model Team to earn extra money for her entry fees. “I do the fashion side and lifestyle side of advertising. The agency calls me to let me know about promotions or magazines that would like to hire me,” she explains. Aleah also enjoys art, especially pencil drawing, and her portrait of a Native American woman and her horse won an art contest for the Bank of Colorado and is featured on the cover of their 2018 calendar.
“I definitely love big game hunting for elk and deer, and hiking, and traveling to all the rodeos is super fun. I recently went to Queen Creek, Arizona, for an All-In Barrel Race. I love their facility, and it was a super fun trip. When we drive, I usually catch up on school, and me and my sister try to play cards,” Aleah adds. “In school, I would like to maintain my 4.0 GPA and stay ahead, and in rodeo, I would love to make it to Nationals.”
