story by Lindsay King
A family tradition that simply does not quit, for the Robertson family from Birch Run, Michigan, that is what rodeo in the MSRA is for them. Travis, Terri and Colby Robertson currently travel within a 100-mile radius from their ranch to compete in MSRA and IPRA events. “My favorite aspect is that the rodeos are close to home. If we were in another association we would have to spend a lot more time in the truck,” Terri said. She has competed in the MSRA for almost 30 years now, the same as her husband Travis. “My family has been in rodeo for what seems like forever. I started in 4-H and then bought my MSRA card when I was 16. I was a bull rider but now I team rope and am a pickup man sometimes,” Travis said.
He decided to put bull riding behind him when he met Terri and decided he would be spending the rest of his life with her. All three of their daughters, Casey, 22, Carson, 19, and Colby, 16, essentially grew up in rodeo and the MSRA. “I was practically born into the MSRA. I know everyone that we rodeo with so they are just an extension of my family,” Colby said. Casey is pursuing her nursing degree at Delta College while Carson is working while launching her career as a musician. “Casey was actually the youngest person in the MSRA to win rookie of the year in 2007 when she was only 12. She still competes today but Carson lost interest when she lost her horse several years ago,” Terri said.
Ask anyone, the Robertson’s are a close-knit group. “There is no other sport in the world that you get to travel as a family and compete on the level that we do. I like that unique aspect of it,” Travis said. The additional support on the sidelines and in the practice pen keeps the Robertsons on the top of their game. A trip to the IFR in 2013 for Terri with several appearances at MSRA finals, is just the short list of what this barrel racer has accomplished. “The year leading up to the IFR was a good one for me, lots of great runs all while I was fighting off West Nile,” Terri said.
The addition of breakaway roping to the MSRA is a huge bonus for Colby. “I like roping calves better than I like running barrels. It is very fast-paced and you have to be on you’re a-game every time.” Appearances in Canada, Gillete and the Michigan high school finals are small notches in her belt when compared to winning the Bluebonnet Feed Youth Challenge through Rodney Yost Horsemanship. “I made a video for my application and won a two-year-old filly named Pearl to break and train as my own. We picked her up in South Dakota this past April,” Colby said.
Travis is the general manager for Custom Components Truss Company but is still a pickup man and flanks horses for Twisted P Rodeo Company on occasion. Named pickup man of the year four times in the MSRA, Travis is the guy you want at your side. “Every time I do well it is a proud moment but I am most proud when watching my family compete and do well for themselves,” Travis said.
Situated on over 100 acres with a lake taking up 20 acres of it, the family has plenty of room for all their horses and cattle. “We probably have about 14 horses but sometimes I lose track since we have babies and then buy and sell quite a few,” Terri said. On the rare occasion the family is not at a rodeo they spend time out on their lake. “Usually we are gone in our free time or working horses,” Terri added. The family’s favorite rodeos to attend are at Michigan State University and Cow Camp for the sell-out crowds and because they have been going to them for as long as they can remember. “Rodeoing as a family has been great from the beginning. All of our girls grew up traveling and watching Travis and I compete. The most important thing to me is that we get to all be together doing what we love.”
