story by Chiara Bacque
Kelly O’Neal is in her final year of competition in the Louisiana High School Rodeo Association. The 18-year-old cowgirl, a resident of Choudrant, LA, lives with her parents Tom and Gay O’Neal and sisters Martha (24), and Claire (22) . Sister Amy (28) and brother in law Zach live nearby.
Kelly got involved with horses and rodeo through her dad, who competed in tie-down roping. “Claire and I liked to go to the barn with him. I wanted to do whatever Claire did including rodeo.” Kelly does admit, though, that feeding the cattle is her least favorite thing to do.
This Choudrant cowgirl is the reigning Louisiana High School Rodeo Association Reserve All-Around Cowgirl and Champion Girls Cutter. She finished 3rd in goat tying, and top ten in pole bending, barrel racing, and breakaway roping. She will be attending her 4th National High School Rodeo Finals in Gillette, Wyoming and hopes to add to her many championship titles.
Family and rodeo go hand in hand for Kelly. “I really enjoy spending time with them on the road.” She credits her parents for her success both in and out of the arena. “My parents are very good examples of how to live a Christian lifestyle and raise four daughters. They keep our family dynamic while following Christ.”
Traveling to rodeos is always fun for her while drinking an Icee and eating chips with a good book in hand. “I like the sweet and salty combinations of the two, and I like to read like my mom.” Learning about the geography of Louisiana and lifestyles of friends intrigues her.
When Kelly isn’t competing at rodeos, she enjoys reading, riding horses, and spending time with family. “I like to go to the lake with family. My brother-in-law has a boat and we have fun enjoying the family, weather, and water.” A senior at Cedar Creek School, Kelly has particularly enjoyed English classes and engaging discussions. She is a National Honor Society Scholar, a member of the Spanish Club, Key Club, Creative Writing Club, Student Council, and she has been a member of the tennis team for three years.
Kelly plans to attend Louisiana Tech College in Ruston, Louisiana pursuing a business marketing degree. While she admits that choosing a college major and career path is rather stressful, “I hope to find a career that makes me happy.”
In the future she hopes to visit Hawaii. “I really want to go to Hawaii. I’ve seen pictures of how beautiful it is.”
As Kelly enters into a new chapter of her life, she is filled with pride, yet knows that she would not have been able to do it alone. “I’m proud of all that I’ve been able to achieve in rodeo. I owe it to all the people who have helped me. I am most proud of the relationships that I have made through the last 7 years of rodeo.”
