story by Lily Weinacht
“My drive in life is based on the people I meet and the experiences I encounter,” says Saije Pollard. “I have learned that patience defines us when things are not going our way and attitude defines us when we have everything. Rodeo has allowed me to grow as a person. Every day, I strive to be a role model to others and radiate positivity.”
The 18 year old from Wyarno, Wyoming, finds much of her happiness in rodeoing and traveling with her family. This includes her parents, Chuck and Tracie Pollard, and grandparents, Fred and Darlene Nix, who come to every one of Saije’s rodeos. Saije’s parents college rodeoed, and she was competing by age five, now entering WHSRA rodeos in barrel racing, breakaway roping, goat tying, and team roping as a heeler with Shyanna Cahoy. They had roped together several times in junior high, and when Shyanna asked Saije to rope with her at one of the fall rodeos last year, they decided to continue roping together the rest of the season.
Along with her parents, Saije looks up to Colt and Janet Johnson and their three sons, whom she met in Little Britches and considers her second family. “I call them Mama Janet and Papa Colt for a reason. They are complete supporters of my life. I’m an only child, but in all aspects, I really have three brothers. One of my biggest role models is Heather Benson,” Saije adds. “Heather owns a horse analysis business, Simply Equine, and has taught me to handle every situation with grace.”
Saije and her parents have started their own equine therapy business, Nirvana Equine, which offers aquatic treadmill therapy for horses. “My parents and I designed the barn and business and logo ourselves. It was quite a process, and there have been hardships and challenges, but we have stuck together and accomplished a big goal,” says Saije. “Our goal with this is to honor God and use what he’s given us to be a blessing to others.” Saije’s horses also use the aqua therapy, which was especially helpful for her breakaway horse, Dinero, who is recovering from tearing his deep flexor tendon. Saije also rides Roscoe in the team roping and goat tying, and after her barrel horse passed away three days after state finals last year, Saije found JP, who is now her barrel horse. Along with her horses, she never leaves for a rodeo without Oakley, her miniature Yorkie.
Since graduating from Big Horn High School in December, with her prerequisite classes completed, Saije is currently enrolled in the nursing program at Sheridan College. After completing her Associates Degree of Nursing, she’ll finish her bachelor’s degree at University of Wyoming. “I hope to be a pediatric nurse practitioner and work in a critical care children’s hospital,” Saije explains. As part of a medical trip for her and an education trip for her mom, who is the head of the education program at Sheridan College, the Pollards recently traveled to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. They enjoy traveling internationally, and hope to visit Argentina in the near future.
Saije and her family also travel and amateur rodeo in Montana, South Dakota, and Texas, where Saije enters the Roy Cooper and Ultimate Calf Ropings. “I want to continue to amateur rodeo after high school, and watch our business grow,” says Saije. “I made it to the NJHFR all three years, but I haven’t made it to High School Nationals yet. That’s a goal, but I take things run by run. A Bible verse that I have on the back of my saddle is Philippians 4:13: ‘I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.’ That’s my inspiration, and I know I can do anything through him.”
