Blue Devil gymnast has been actively involved in the world of rodeo

MENOMONIE (February 24, 2021) - Born into the world of rodeo, UW-Stout gymnast, Kiara Brown, has many accomplishments to be proud of. Currently a freshman at Stout participating in gymnastics, Brown has been involved in rodeo for 19 years. She has enjoyed every second of competing and has learned many life lessons along the way. 

"Rodeo teaches you how to stay humble, kind, caring, and just how to be a great human," Brown said.
 
Growing up in Whitewood, S.D., in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Brown's rodeo interest started with the animals. Brown exclaims how fascinating it was as a youngster to see how fast the steers (cattle), and horses can run. She also aspired to be one those beautiful rodeo queens, who represent the sport of rodeo.
 
Attending Sturgis Browns High School in Sturgis, S.D., Brown's childhood dreams soon came true. She made it to the South Dakota State High School Rodeo final her freshman, junior, and senior years. Her proudest memories come from winning titles of rodeo queen. Her latest titles have been Junior Miss Rodeo South Dakota 2019, Junior Miss Black Hills Roundup 2018, and Junior Miss Days of 76, 2017.
 
"Rodeo is a very different sport and one of the toughest, as well," said Brown. The rodeo events that Brown competes in are barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, goat typing, and the queen contests.
 
In barrel racing, three barrels are placed in a triangular pattern and the rider must ride around each barrell, and the lowest time wins. Her best score in barrel racing is 17.35 seconds. Pole bending is also a timed event, with the objective being to run the pattern correctly, as quickly as possible, without knocking down any poles. Brown's best score on pole bending is 22 seconds. She also competes in breakaway roping, which is when "you rope a calf and you let go of the rope, and once that rope breaks away from the horn of the saddle, the time stops," explains Brown. 

Her best time for breakaway roping is 4.25 seconds. The last event that Brown competes in is goat tying, where the rider rides to a tethered goat, dismounts, catches, and ties any three of its legs together. The goat must stay tied for eight seconds after the contestant has backed away from the animal for the score to count.
 
Aside from these main events, Brown also plays a big role in rodeo queening. Attending rodeo as a child, Brown aspired to be one of the rodeo queens. Brown explains rodeo queening as a "group of girls that want to compete for a title either of a state, hometown, or specific rodeo." The rodeo queens represent the sport of rodeo.

Some of the main responsibilities that come along with being a rodeo queen are giving a short speech, answering any questions, modeling, personal interviews with judges, and sometimes taking a test. Aside from the responsibilities, rodeo queens also have to have a western outfit and leather dress in the competition, a western personal interview, a fashion foreword, and a horsemanship outfit. Brown says, “rodeo queening is a lot of money and dedication, but it is worth it because you get the title, and get to represent the crown and the rodeo.”
 
While rodeo will always play a major role in Brown's life, gymnastics has also shaped Brown to be the person she is today. Brown was recruited to be an all-around gymnast and can easily say she made the right decision choosing Stout.
 
Brown has thoroughly enjoyed her time with Stout gymnastics. As a freshman, she believes she found the perfect family to make her feel at home while she is on campus. 

"We treat each other like sisters and we always look out for one another," Brown said.  The family-feel of Stout gymnastics is her favorite part of being on the team. Brown says, "we are a family, and we don't give up on each other… if someone is having a rough day, then we cheer them up." This upcoming season, Brown is beyond thankful to get the chance to finally compete. The Blue Devils open the season Friday, Feb. 26 at Gustavus Adolphus.
 
Brown was also attracted to Stout's health, wellness and fitness major and plans to fulfill a pre-chiropractic line of study. Brown would like to have her own chiropractic business, while also helping athletes with physical therapy and athletic training.
 
While Brown has many life aspirations, she plans to keep rodeo a constant part of her life. Rodeo has helped her grow as a person and to get over many fears.

“I think rodeo is a great sport to do and to learn from,” Brown said. "It teaches you many values, especially how to stay humble."