Oakwood’s Kessler named NCHA Rookie of the Year

Cydney Kessler Leon County is building quite a reputation for producing winning riders and horses, and Oakwood's Cydney Kessler has just added another honor to that growing list. The 17-year-old competes in the NCHA (National Cutting Horse Association) and just won the title of 2011 Rookie of the Year for the $50,000 Amateur. She also finished 5th in the world $50,000 Amateur competition.

A true horsewoman, Cydney is quick to give much of the credit to her horses. She shows Chiquita Pistol, the mare Tag Rice rode to NCHA Triple Crown fame in 2003, and she also competes in aged events on Stormy Cat, a four-year-old out of Pistol. Chiquita Pistol belonged to Tooter Dorman who gave the horse to his granddaughter on her fifteenth birthday and the two have proven to be a great team. When Kessler competed in THSRA (Texas High School Rodeo Association) Region 9 rodeos, Cydney was the Girls Cutting Champion in both her sophomore and junior years. This year she stepped up to the big league, competing against people from across the nation and other countries like Canada and Brazil.

In the latter part of her junior year, Cydney left Oakwood High and began home schooling under the tutelage of her mother, Deborah Moore, in order to be able to pursue her dreams. "I'm Dorman) hold down things at the ranch. And the Rice family -- they're a big part of my life and I couldn't have done it without them. If I need help with Chiquita I ride with Tag and he helps me."

Pursuing her dreams also requires a substantial financial commitment. "What we win, we put it back up for diesel and entry fees, and it helps us keep going on down the road," Kessler explained matter-of-factly.

Cutting is a judged event. The horse and rider team has 2-1/2 minutes to compete with their objective being to separate one cow from a group of cattle. Beginning with a perfect score of 80, one- threeand five-point deductions can be assessed for such errors as losing a cow, or picking up your hands (reining your horse). "You completely use your feet," Cydney explained. Kessler credits her 12-yearold horse with making her job easier. "You can trust Pistol -- just ride. She won the Triple Crown so she was very experienced." The 17-yearold rider is gaining plenty of experience of her own. This year she will be showing ‘Cat in the 5-year-old aged events, the Super Stakes and the NCHA Summer Spectacular. Watch for them to be racking up more buckles and saddles and hopefully, prize money to keep them “going on down the road...”