Otero College Rodeo Continues Success at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo

Description: Otero Rodeo’s Liesl Chenowith (Bayfield, CO) emerged victorious in the 2024 National Western Stock Show Horseman’s Collegiate Challenge. For the third year in a row, an Otero student has won or placed in the challenge. Pictured is the buckle that Chenowith earned.

Otero College Rodeo continues success at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo

Written by: Linsay Sumpter

LA JUNTA — Otero Rodeo’s Liesl Chenowith (Bayfield, CO) emerged victorious in the 2024 National Western Stock Show Horseman’s Collegiate Challenge. For the third year in a row, an Otero student has won or placed in the challenge.

The Collegiate Challenge was created to engage local college equestrian programs and offer additional scholarship opportunities to student-athletes. Six, Colorado, and Wyoming higher education equine programs each selected two representatives to compete on January 16 and 17 in the CINCH Arena in the Events Center. Colleges included in the 2024 event were the University of Wyoming, Laramie County Community College, Colorado State University, Northeastern Junior College, Otero College, and Lamar Community College.

Established in 2018, the Horseman's Challenge offers a chance for equestrians from across the country to participate in a dynamic sport while also providing them with a stimulating, instructive, and enjoyable experience. Competitors in this timed obstacle course put their riding skills and teamwork to the test as they navigate a series of challenges. Anyone riding a horse, pony, mule, or donkey, regardless of age or breed, is welcome.

Twelve student competitors and a total of 70 open riders took part in the first day of the two-day tournament, in the open individual rounds. With the fastest times and highest horsemanship scores advance to the finals. On day two, ten teams participated in the team challenge. Teams of riders from all walks of life are encouraged to form in the Team Challenge and overcome a series of challenges. Otero’s Chenowith teamed up with fellow Rattler, Cassidi Alverson (Loveland, CO), Trish Leone (Fowler, CO), and Devin Nerone (Cheyenne, WY) for a third-place finish. 

The combined team of Chenowith and her horse “Twister” received a score of 124 receiving a $2,000 scholarship, and a championship buckle and Lamar Community College's Ty Arnold was named the Reserve Champion with a score of 122, receiving a $1,000 scholarship.

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