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GOLDENITE
scope out theirs beforehand to see how they behave against other teams.
At the state championship, Gus and Hogan said they averaged eight seconds in each of their three runs. ere was another team on their heels initially, but the brothers were able to stay focused and avoid mistakes, Gus described.
eir grandma, Dottie Kelley, emphasized how only the top 15 competitors in each event qualify for the state championship, and then only the top four from state advance to nationals. Consistency throughout the season is key to making it as far as Gus and Hogan have, she added.
“ ey realize what a big deal it is to get to this level,” she said.
Overall, the Kelleys hoped to see rodeo gain more notoriety and widespread popularity as a sport, with Dottie saying how it’s more common on Colorado’s Eastern Plains, and states like Texas and Wyoming. Rodeo become a unique family bonding activity, as Gus, Hogan, their younger sister, parents, and extended family members have trained together over the years.
“It’s cool to watch them bonding (through rodeo),” Dottie continued.
