story by Terry Rhodes
“It’s a funny thing, the more I practice the luckier I get.” This Arnold Palmer quote seems to be right in line with the way Alex Micek operates. Alex’s discipline and work ethic prove the Palmer adage. “I practice every day and do everything that I possibly can to be prepared.” Included with practice and physical preparation is a liberal amount of mental conditioning. “I read the book, ‘Mind Gym’ and it has helped me prepare myself physically and mentally. When I get to a rodeo there is really nothing else I can do, but to have self confidence and believe in myself.” The mental aspect of competition, whether it is rodeo or any other pursuit, is a major component for Alex and she’s not one to dwell on the past but keeps her focus on moving forward.
Alex claims to not have any superstitions, but once used one to her advantage. “The only time I have ever put my hat on the bed was when things weren’t going well, so I put my hat on the bed to see if that would turn things around. Sure enough, it worked. And I do not wear yellow. Ever.”
She has been in the Mid-States Rodeo Association since her high school days and says it’s a good association to be connected to. “The rodeos are well run and they have really good people in the association. People will help you out even when you’re competing against them. So it’s a good rodeo family.” Her events are barrels, breakaway, and team roping. “I head in the team roping and my uncle, Todd Pinneo is my regular partner.” She has in years past held NSRA and KPRA cards as well.
Alex grew up in a family that was involved in horses and showing so it wasn’t a real big leap for her to find her way into rodeo. “My mom showed reining horses and did a little bit of roping. When I was in junior high and high school, I showed in Western Pleasure and English so those really taught me how to ride.”
When it came time for college, Alex received a rodeo scholarship to Panhandle State University. “I went there for four years and finished my classes for a biology major and then picked up a second major in animal science. So I have degrees in both. I’m thinking about doing an internship in the spring for an animal pharmaceutical company. ”
That one special rodeo run that means the most to Alex came in her college rodeo days. “I had just bought a gelding from the Pitzer sale and had been working on getting him ready. I decided to give him a try in the breakaway and we made run in 2.9. We didn’t make the short go, but I had worked so hard with him and it all came together on that run. That was really special to me.” That horse, “Tom” has become her go-to horse for heading, heeling, and breakaway.
She says that among the most influencial people in her life are her mother, Lori Wyman and step-father Dick Wyman, and father Rick Micek. “My mom didn’t rodeo but she supported me through my rodeo. Learning to rope, Jim Wakefield helped me out the most. He really took me under his wing and helped me to learn roping. I spent a summer with J.D Yates and he has been a big help to me in roping and in life. But I would like to thank all the people that have helped me along the way.”
Alex, 22 lives in Oceola, Neb. and during week Alex is busy working on the ranch. Liesure time is sometimes spent on the golf course. “I’m not very good at it, but I do like to play golf.”
