story by Lily Weinacht
Rodeo is life itself for 17-year-old Jake Foster. A cowboy with an unusual mix of events – team roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, and bull riding – he’s been around the arena a time or two. “I grew up going to rodeos, and all my siblings have been involved in it. I was eight years old when I entered my first 4-H rodeo,” says Jake. “The joy of rodeoing and being around the people is what drives me. They are all around great, and always supporting and helping you. It’s a great feeling when you do something good.” Jake’s dad, a team roper and retired saddle bronc rider, was Jake’s first rodeo inspiration, even giving up his corral in the front yard for a bucking chute so his son could practice. “My parents, Rusty and Julie Foster, have sure helped, and Casey Olson hazes for me during the high school season,” says Jake, who also competes in the NRCA. “He does a tremendous job, and is always there to help the kids out. Cole Elshere has helped me improve my bronc riding, figuring out what I’m doing wrong and how to fix it.”
The roughstock events are Jake’s favorite, and he’s qualified twice for the NHSFR, competing in Gillette, Wyoming, this summer in bull riding. His dad competed on the high school national stage in both his events as well. “I really enjoyed the rodeo and seeing all my out-of-state friends that I only get to see once a year. I like the adrenaline rush bronc riding gives you, and looking back on my ride and seeing what I did right,” Jake adds. “Same with bull riding. The high school rodeos are pretty good about waiting for me, but it does get to be a rush changing from roughstock to timed events. I have to change boots and sometimes clothes, but I usually have a friend that’s not up in an event sit on my horse or have him warmed up.”
Jake rides Zeke in the team roping, a heel horse his brother, Lane (23), trained. “He was originally my mom’s horse, but then my brother took him over and did a great job with him. I own half my bulldogging horse, Stone, with Cole Trainer. Stone makes outstanding runs, and he’s honest and runs hard. Cole and I typically go to the same rodeos, but who has him depends on what rodeos we’re going to.” Practice is just as much a neighbor affair as it is a family affair. Lane often picks up when Jake gets on practice broncs, and Cole Elshere will come out to ride on occasion. Jake also has a sister, Cassie (25), who high school rodeoed and currently competes in the Wrangler Team Roping Championships.
Living 30 miles north of Faith, South Dakota, it takes Jake half an hour to drive to Faith High School. A senior, he enjoys history, and also plays basketball and football for the Longhorns. He took several trips to the lake this summer and helps his family year round with raising cattle. “Right now we’re haying, and we run heifers and cow calf pairs,” says Jake. “But if I had a free day, I’d find a big pontoon boat and go to the lake with friends.
“My main goal is to be a state champion next year,” he concludes. “I’ve fallen just a bit short of that the last few years, and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. Hopefully after that I’ll be a national champion, and I’m definitely going to college rodeo.”