story by Lily Weinacht
It is 18-year-old Sydney Maher’s senior year in the SDHSRA, and the cowgirl from Timber Lake, South Dakota, has her sights set on qualifying for the NHSFR. During the 2016/2017 season, she won five out of seven rodeos in the barrel racing and placed fourth at another. While tipping a barrel put her just out of placing for Nationals, she says she was proud of her horse and their season. “Both my parents rodeoed, so it’s something I’ve always been around and grown up in. I love the sport and the people,” Sydney explains. “I couldn’t imagine life without it.”
Sydney, who started her rodeo career as an 8-year-old in 4-H rodeo, won Rookie of the Year in the SDRA in 2015 and was the SDRA Barrel Racing Champion in 2016 and 2017. Most recently, she won the barrel racing at the 2017 4-H State Finals. “I like barrels more, but I also enjoy poles. When I run, I just make sure I stay consistent and nail my pockets. I definitely look up to my parents, Chuck and Bobbi Maher. My mom was a WPRA Circuit Champion in barrel racing, so I go to her with all my questions, and she gives me advice and coaches me.” Going to rodeos is a family effort, but so is practice. Since Sydney participates in volleyball and basketball, her mom helps her with exercising horses after school. “The days can get long, but I enjoy it,” says Sydney. “I don’t have lights, so I try to get it done before I lose daylight. I definitely couldn’t do it without my mom. I spend a lot of time on each sport, and the commitment and hard work and dedication to succeed is a lot alike in all of them.”
Sydney is also supported by her grandpa, Alan Woodbury, who owns Woodbury Performance Horses in Dickinson, North Dakota. He specializes in barrel horses, and Sydney rides his 11-year-old mare, Tell ‘Em Belle, whom she calls Belle, in the barrel racing. “I’ve been riding her for about two years, and I ride Frenchy Frost in the poles. I’m very thankful for them.” Her family also owns a small ranch, and Sydney works with the horses, while her older brothers, Scott and Shaun, work the cattle. “We live a mile or two outside of town. It’s about 500 people, so everyone knows everyone, and I get a lot of support from the community.” Sydney’s hometown rodeo also happens to be one of her favorites in the SDHSRA. “I usually do pretty well there, and it’s comfortable,” she explains.
A senior at Timber Lake High School, Sydney says English is her strongest subject. Her mom teaches English for Northern State University, and Sydney is taking an online dual credit English class this semester. As soon as she’s home from school and sports, Sydney exercises horses and does homework, and she loves to spend time with her family and friends. Her latest venture this fall is filling her WPRA permit. “After I graduate in May, I want to attend college in the fall and college rodeo. Once I get my permit filled, I’m hoping to start pro rodeoing. I’m pretty excited about that, and we’ll see where it goes!”
