story by Lily Weinacht
Cash Wilson started competing in rodeo’s classic event two years ago as a high school freshman. He finished second in the state that year, and this summer, he achieved his goal of winning a state title in the saddle bronc riding. “I was pretty surprised, actually,” says the 16-year-old from Wall, South Dakota. “I went into the short-go sitting second behind my buddy Dillon Schofield. He rides broncs really well, but he ended up getting bucked off in the short-go, and that was the make it or break it.” Cash was also happier with his performances at the NHSFR, finishing fifth in the nation. “My freshman year, I was really nervous, but this year, I felt a lot more confident to have experienced it once already. It’s better when you’re doing well, but if you’re in a lull, you just have to go through it. You’re always going to go on another high.”
Prior to the NHSFR this summer, Cash competed in the NLBFR and was crowned the 2017 NLBFR Saddle Bronc Riding Champion. He’s also sitting in the top three of the NRCA standings his rookie year in the association, and recently won 2017 State 4-H Saddle Bronc Champion. Additionally, he’s a timed event cowboy, competing in tie-down roping and team roping as a heeler with Trista Reinert. He rides one of the Reinerts’ team roping horses, Hercules, and ropes calves on his gelding Shorty, though he plans to retire Shorty this year.
Many family members from Cash’s Heathershaw and Wilson sides of the family have helped and encouraged him, while his uncle Ronnie Wilson’s family owns Wilson Rodeo Company. Cash’s great-uncle, Mike Heathershaw, has also helped Cash in his bronc riding career. “I’ve worked for him as a ranch hand the past four years, and he got me started in rodeo. He took me to a bunch of rodeos and showed me a lot about bronc riding.” Cash also looks up his cousin Jeremy Meeks, Louis Brunson, and the Elsheres. Ryan and JJ Elshere have always been willing to help him during practice and at rodeos, and Cash also goes to neighboring towns to get on different horses and get advice from other cowboys. “It seems like there’s a lot of good bronc riders from South Dakota, and someday, I want to be in that group,” says Cash.
Before spring rodeos start, Cash borrows 4 – 6 bucking horses from Wilson Rodeos to practice on. “We keep them at the house or in town at the arena and practice for about three weeks, so that’s a big help,” says Cash. “TK Sampson and Shayne Porch are usually the pickup men, and I really appreciate how much help they’ve given me. My Uncle Mike has two younger boys who also come out and help a bunch.” Cash’s cousin Chancy Wilson from Wilson Rodeos also brings bucking horses to the SDHSRA regional rodeos and state finals.
A junior at Wall High School, Cash enjoys his math class, and he’s on the honor roll and a member of Student Council. He’s looking forward to taking Ag. Metals this year, and he also wrestles, runs track, and plays wide receiver and linebacker for his school’s football team, the Wall Eagles. After school, he rides horses for his uncle and does other jobs on the ranch. His favorite is putting the first rides on the colts that are prospective ranch horses. He and his mom, Ronda Wilson, live in Wall, while Cash sometimes stays on his uncle’s ranch outside of Wall when he’s working. He and his mom are the weekend warriors of the family, but Cash’s older brother and sister, Ryder and Sierra, come to watch him compete as often as they can.
Cash’s goals include qualifying for the NHSFR again next year, as well as competing in the IFYR and NLBFR. “In the NRCA standings, I’m sitting third right now, and I want to do well at their finals. Finishing in the top two or three would be cool.”
