story by Mary Fuller
Many years ago I watched a 7 year old girl run barrels during one of the last PRCA rodeos held in St. Louis, Missouri in the famous Checkerdome Arena. She was an outstanding rider at that age and continued to excel in her horsemanship as well as being a role model to others in various aspects of her life.
Leah’s parents provided endless hours working with her and hauling her to various competitions. Both Dona and Bobby Moellman were very successful in their rodeo careers throughout the Midwest. Dona, a barrel racer, currently has her own house painting business and Bobby, a bull rider, now a retired a supervisor from Fred Weber Construction, both remain supportive to this day.
During high school Leah not only won the Missouri High School Rodeo Barrel Racing Championship, but also qualified for the NHSR Finals all four years in the barrel racing. Additionally, she qualified for the short rounds in both Pueblo, Colorado and Shawnee, Oklahoma NHSR finals.
After high school, Leah earned a rodeo scholarship to Fort Scott Community College and began her journey in college rodeo. It was during this time that Leah met and was coached by John Luthi. He had a profound influence on her and she comments:
“I feel like college rodeo not only prepared me for rodeo after college, but for life in general. I credit Coach Luthi for teaching me many life lessons and making me a better person. He had a huge influence on me and helped to keep me grounded. There were so many fun memories and life long friendships made through college rodeo that I treasure. I truly hope Ryder decides to pursue a college career so he can have these experiences as well.”
Coach Luthi recognized Leah’s potential as a breakaway roper. His guidance was applied and her talent developed the two years (1990-92) she attended Fort Scott. Her progress continued to the next phase of her rodeo career while attending Southwest Missouri State University (currently Missouri State University) on a rodeo scholarship wherein she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Business.
In 1994, Leah qualified for the CNFR in the Breakaway Roping by winning 1st in the Ozark Region. She came into the finals ranked number 2 in the NIRA, but this was the first year the clean slate finals were put into place at the CNFR. Based on her stellar performance under pressure, Leah won both the national championship and the average.
While attending college Leah also continued to rodeo in other associations during her summer months. She was awarded the Missouri Rodeo Cowboys Association (MRCA) Barrel Racing Title in 1991 and followed up several years later with a Reserve in Breakaway Roping . And, in 2016 Leah was awarded the reserve all around title. In the the last two years she has qualified for the finals in the breakaway as well as being elected breakaway director. Over the years she was also in the top 5 in the United Rodeo Association(URA) in both barrel racing and breakaway roping.
Around 2000, Leah met a calf roper by the name of Jeff Loeb. They became good friends and married in 2004. Jeff has made the calf roping finals in both the Open and the over 40 division in the MRCA where he has also won the average at the finals. Jeff also owns his own barbershop with his dad in Owensville, MO.
Their son, Ryder, has followed in both his mother and father’s roping and his grandfather’s bull riding footsteps. Along with his rodeo career, he plays basketball for school and competes on a select baseball team to round out his athletic endeavors.
To date Ryder has been the Champion Calf Rider for the last 3 years in the Flickerwood Youth Association(FYA) while also competing in breakaway roping and goat tying. This talented young man has qualified for the International Miniature Rodeo Association (IMRA) the last two years in the mini bull riding which is in conjunction with the International Finals Rodeo. Recently he competed in Guthrie, OK, at Chris Neal’s Future Stars Roping in the 12 and under Breakaway.
For the past 22 years Leah has been employed by EHI Holdings (Enterprise Rent-A-Car) as Senior Manager in the IT Department. She has been spearheading projects to grow the business and employees. Many of her efforts have been focused in the company’s rental business. Currently her main emphasis is in the area of mobility drastically changing the way the company rents cars today. She also fosters the company’s “We Care About People” not only as it relates to the business but in her personal life as well.
Leah’s entire college rodeo experience and accomplishments gave her the indispensible tools to excel in her life as a parent, wife, athlete and champion to be proud of.
