story by Riata Cummings
Fourteen-year-old Abby Richards is an eighth grader at Bryce Valley High School, and her favorite class is math. She lives in Tropic, Utah, a small town surrounded by the beauty of several national parks and full of wonderful people. Abby is the daughter of Mykelle and Shilo Richards, and has three brothers, Keagan, Chancey, and Klincey, and a younger sister, Shiley. As a family they enjoy traveling the state for high school and junior high rodeos and managing a herd of cattle. Abby has a corgi dog named Daisy and is planning on trying out for the cheer team. She would like to become a Veterinary Assistant because it combines her passion for animals and her desire to be helpful.
Abby’s parents and brothers competed in rodeo, so it was only natural for her to carry on the tradition. She started at their local rodeo as a mutton buster, eventually picking up barrel racing and other events. Today she competes in the breakaway roping and barrel racing, the latter being her favorite. She said, “It seems like I have done it forever, but I still just love the adrenaline rush.” A couple of months ago, her trusty barrel horse was injured. Facing the prospect of changing horses was one of the hardest things Abby has had to do, but she is learning to adjust. Not long after her horse was hurt, her Grandpa Scott acquired a new barrel horse, Girlfriend, just for Abby. Abby also rides an awesome breakaway horse named Lily, and the pair are qualified for the Utah Junior High State Finals Rodeo. Next year, Abby hopes to get better at breakaway roping and be a state qualifier in both of her events.
Rodeo has taught Abby that, “Life is valuable, and you have to live it to its fullest. You have to do everything you can while you can so that you can look back and be happy.” She lives by the saying, “You never lose, you either win or you learn.” This quote reminds her not to get down on herself when things go wrong, but to learn from those experiences and strive to do better. She says, “You might not do the greatest, but there is always something you can take away from it. You have to learn to celebrate the small victories.”
One of Abby’s greatest strengths is her kind, helpful nature. She enjoys helping the people around her and doesn’t complain about being given a job. Although her friends and family may describe her as sassy, they would also say she is considerate and caring. Abby would like to be remembered as “the girl that cheers for everyone,” and as someone who lifted those around her up. Her hero is her mom because she is “always helps us with our dreams and will do anything for us.” Abby would like to thank her parents and siblings for their support and help. She would also like to thank her Grandma Kim and Grandpa Scott for getting her a new barrel horse. She is grateful for the opportunity to rodeo and for the people who make it possible.