story by Riata Cummings
“Coming out of the arena after the short go, I was instantly on cloud nine,” said Jade Rindlisbacher. “ I knew I needed to be fast, and when I heard my time it was like I was floating. I just couldn’t stop smiling.”
The barrel racer from Spanish Fork, Utah, arrived at the National High School Finals Rodeo with the goal of three clean runs, and she left with the world title. “I went into the first round determined to keep the barrels up. Then, I knew another clean run would set me up for the short go. Going into the short round I made the decision not to safety up. I am a senior; I will never be in this position again. I just had to go for it.” Go for it she did, winning the average by nearly half a second, claiming the two fastest runs of the rodeo, and becoming the NHSFR World Champion Barrel Racer.
Jade also had success in the pole bending at nationals, finishing 7th in the average. Jade’s four-legged partners helped carry her to success. Viper, the world champion barrel horse, has been partnering with Jade in the barrel racing since Jade was just 12-years-old. Slim, her pole horse, has been with her since just after she started competing in rodeo at 10-years-old. Jade has trained all of her rodeo mounts, including her breakaway horse, Rio, and her head horse, Rollex.
“I want to be remembered as someone who worked for what they got. Training my own horses has taught me so much. It’s rare for people to train their own horses, they are usually bought, but it’s good for others to remember that they can accomplish so much if they just work for it.”
Since middle school, Jade has lived by the saying, “Work hard in silence and let your success make the noise.” It reminds her to, “work hard for as long as it takes and stay humble about the successes. Just keep working, no matter what happens.” Jade has proven her ability to work hard, earning 6 state pole bending titles through the UJHSRA and UHSRA, an RMPRA barrel racing title and now a national championship.
Part of Jade’s work ethic came from being the oldest child in a rodeo family. Her parents, Jason and Natalie, also have two boys, Wyatt and Rylan, who are rodeo athletes in their own right. Together they spend a lot of time on the rodeo road and in the practice pen. Jade even prepared for nationals by using Viper and Slim to rope with her brothers and father. “Roping relaxes me and my horses. Nationals is a big deal with a lot of pressure, but the roping pen always makes life a little less crazy.”
One of Jade’s heroes is Willie Reid, “a hard working man who is always willing to jump in and help the people around him.” Jade would like to thank Willie and Shauna Reid for helping her become the rodeo athlete she is today. She would also like to thank Lance Robinson, her sponsors and her family. “Thank you all for being there for me since day one, and for helping me learn life’s most important lessons. I couldn’t do it without you.”
This fall, Jade will be attending Utah Valley University, studying nursing and competing on their rodeo team. She has set a goal to qualify for the final round of the College National Finals Rodeo in barrel racing, breakaway roping and team roping.
