story by Julie Carter
Shae Rios is an all-around teenager as far as life in and out of the rodeo arena goes. She has spent her junior high years working five rodeo events, riding multiple horses and at the same time participating in softball, volleyball, choir and band.
Shae won her first saddle at the Gallup NMJH rodeo in April where she won the average in the Breakaway, Barrel Racing and Pole Bending as well as winning one round of the team roping with her partner Pike Ketcham. She came home with the All-Around saddle and four trophy buckles.
The Stanley, NM cowgirl finished her 8th grade year by qualifying for the Junior High National Rodeo Finals in three events. After the New Mexico State Finals, she was 3rd in breakaway, and 4th in Pole Bending and Barrel Racing. And her barrel and pole horse Banking on Fame (Banker) won NMJH Horse of the Year. Her Nationals experience wasn’t what she hoped for, just missing the short go in the Barrels by .04 and struggling with the draw in the Breakaway and heartbreaking Pole runs. But true to Shae’s mindset, she’s already setting goals for next year.
Shae’s abilities in the arena come from generations of two families well known for their horse and arena skills, both on her mom Koell’s side (Patty and Lonnie Wright) and her dad Jason Rios, nephew to the esteemed horseman Joe Rios. Shae carries a heritage of skilled horsemanship that is constantly invested into by her family. Koell explains, “My dad is there every night when she practices. He’s made a big difference in where she’s at. He helped her believe in herself and gain the confidence she needed. She is very determined and driven and able to keep her emotions in check.”
Banker, 11, Shae’s speed event horse, can be a little “watchy and frisky” outside the arena but once inside he’s all business. Raised by the Wrights, Banker is out of a half-sister to the gelding (Mo) that Shae’s aunt Tona Wright Andrade went to the NFR on. Lonnie Wright trained Banker (as he does all the family competition horses), Koell seasoned him and then Shae got him for her rodeo string. “Shae’s rope horse, Junior,13, came from Jason’s family, Jason roped on him, I started him on the barrels, and Shae has really finished him as a breakaway horse,” said Koell.
The younger of two sisters, Shae, 14, says she and her sister Sienna, 16, are pretty close even though Sienna doesn’t rodeo. “She helps me a lot at the rodeos, videos me, supports me a lot and we play sports, like softball together. Next year we’ll be playing volleyball together.” Both girls will attend Moriarty High School. Sister advice from Shae’s mom Koell who is one of 4 sisters is “you’re lucky to have each other. My sisters have always been my best friends. There’s a special bond between sisters. Cherish it every day.”
Currently, Shae says Breakaway Roping is her favorite event. “I think I like it more now because I’m starting to do good at it.” Understanding the different mindset from roping events to speed events she said, “In barrels and poles I’m mostly thinking about how I’m going to ride my horse. When I rope, it’s me I have to think about.” Shae was a sixth grader before she was actually roping live cattle from the back of a horse. “I first learned to rope standing on a bale of hay roping another bale. I wasn’t tall enough to do it from the ground.”
Shae Rios sponsors are very much appreciated and Shae was quick to mention them: C. Rivers Jewelry, Steel Aid, Rio Grand Classic, Rockin Horse Ranch Indoor Arena, and Pursue Victory & Paige 1912 Apparel.
Shay is always doing something crafty or busy with her hands (she has a Cricket machine) like making the monogrammed cups for her sister’s softball team. Her kind, quiet nature makes it easy to be a “Shae” fan as she transitions into high school rodeo this fall where she, Banker and Junior will once again be on the rodeo day sheets.
