story by Michele Toberer
Ashley Austin, is a sophomore attending school at Silliman Institute, a private school in Clinton, Louisiana. At just 15, she has developed incredible multi-tasking skills, as she manages a 3.5 grade point average, while participating in many extra-curricular activities. This year is Ashley’s fourth year as a Kaper Kitten, which is the dance squad for her school. Competition is unquestionably something Ashley is fond of, as she has been involved in most competitive sports available to young girls. During 2011, she was on a competitive dance team, softball, basketball, and volleyball teams, participated as a cheerleader, played piano, and competed in several rodeo associations in goat tying, barrel racing and pole bending. After an exhausting year, Ashley knew she couldn’t keep up that kind of schedule and started to narrow down her activities, so that she could hone her skills in the activities she loved most of all. Rodeo was never cut from the list, and Ashley enjoyed competing in the Louisiana Junior High Rodeo Association prior to joining the Louisiana High School Rodeo Association as a freshman last year. Currently, she is also a member of Little Britches, NBHA, and Team Hidez USA.
While Ashley was in junior high, her Texas cousin Lucy Austin, had a rope horse she had started training on barrels, that she thought would be perfect for Ashley. The gentle giant, Roscoe is a big bay Quarter Horse, with an Ombre tail, stands 16.1, loves sunflower seeds, and has been a perfect fit for Ashley. “His registered name is Farfromtrouble, but we call him Roscoe. He knows when it’s game time and when it’s not. My first year on Roscoe was in 2014, we won Louisiana Junior High Reserve Champion Barrels, and ended up 20th place at the national finals.” This season, Ashley is focusing her efforts on barrel racing in the LHSRA, with a goal of making the top-five at the end of the year, out of a group of approximately 50 barrel racers.
Ashley is Mark and Julie Austin’s only child, and they enjoy spending a lot of time together at rodeos. Her parents are a great support team for her, as her dad always helps her in the alleyway, while her mom handles paying entry fees, and videoing all her runs. “My mom is my idol, I appreciate all that she has sacrificed for me to be involved in rodeo. She comes to every single one of my events.” Ashley credits her upbringing for her interest in rodeos. Her grandparents were big into farming and cattle operations, and that tradition carried on to their grandchildren. Ashley grew up watching her cousins, Jesy and Rudy Austin, compete in the LHSRA, and qualify for nationals every year they competed. Ashley said that her late-grandmother, Joyce Austin, always used to tell her, “No matter what you do, put your whole heart into it,” and she tries to incorporate that sentiment into all that she does.
Ashley’s main rodeo dog is Oakley, a Maltese-Shi Tzu mix, that accompanies her to most every event and is her constant companion, but at home, she loves to spend time with her motley crew of canine family members that include a Miniature Aussie, Yellow Lab, Jack Russell Terrier and a Blue Heeler. When home, Ashley has barn chores to take care of, as it is her responsibility to feed, water and bathe all the horses and dogs, as well as clean stalls. When the chores are done, Ashley is most likely watching old barrel racing videos to see what she can to do to improve and make better runs in the future.
Regarding the future, Ashley mentions, “I would really like to get a good college education, and maybe become a veterinarian. I would love to rodeo in college, maybe at Texas A & M, or Wharton County Junior College.” Ashley truly appreciates the friends and families of the Louisiana High School Rodeo Association. “Everyone is always there to help, and I am thankful for how supportive everyone is. I want to especially thank my friend Bailey Mudd, and everyone else who has helped me or given me advice along the way.”
