Rodeo weekends, chore weekdays

RUTHTON, Minn. — From chasing calves in the pen to the buckle in the ring, Sadie DeRuyter has been striving for greatness within the National Little Britches Rodeo Association.

DeRuyter is the 13-year-old daughter of dairy farmers Richard and Stephanie DeRuyter. The DeRuyters milk 100 cows in a parlor and farm 200 acres growing alfalfa, corn and barley. 

Sadie has been participating in the NLBRA circuit since 2017.

“My favorite part is competing, setting personal records and meeting goals,” Sadie said.

Every weekend from March to October Sadie can be found competing in three rodeos: one each on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. She also competes in local barrel races.

This year Sadie competed at the NLBRA’s National Finals, which took place at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma. The DeRuyter family spent nine days at the event as Sadie competed in barrel racing, goats, poles, breakaway roping and trail events.

Trail riding requires riders to complete a series of obstacle courses. Her best performance was during her trail competitions, where she received a spot in the short go-round.

“To qualify for the short round, you have to place in the Top 20 in the first and the second rounds,” Stephanie said. “Sadie placed 8th in the short go-round.”

During the first round Sadie finished in fifth place earning 136 points. Sadie then took 14th place in the second round to secure her place in the short round.

After her final round and score were added up Sadie was awarded two buckles and a pennant for her placings in her trail rounds and world score.

Throughout her time at the finals for her trail competition, Sadie earned sixth place for an average score, seventh with her world score and eight in the short round.

Her average score is based off her top five rounds prior to nationals combined with her scores at the finals. Her average is then added to her top scores to determine her rank throughout the nation.

“When she was given her placings, I was excited and very proud of her hard work,” Stephanie said. “Sadie said later on that it was a very surreal moment for her.”

The NLBRA was founded in 1952 with the focus of creating a circuit for youth to strive in. It is one of the oldest rodeos in the U.S. for youth.

Each year they will put on over 500 rodeos in 33 states. Throughout the nation, more than 3,300 kids participate. NLBRA awards nearly $400,000 in scholarships, awards and jackpot dollars annually at its championship rodeo.

As Sadie ended this season, she is already preparing for the next.

While competing with riders closer to her age in the NLBRA, Sadie also has competed in adult leagues. Earlier this year, Sadie competed in adult barrel racing and took third place.

From the barn to the rodeo sidelines, Sadie’s family are her biggest supporters. Her siblings, Levi, Dyland, Isaiah, Sierra, Clay and Kai, travel to her performances whenever possible.

“Her younger brother, Kai, and I always go to the rodeos,” Stephanie said. “Her dad and Clay stay at home and handle chores when we are gone. If the rodeo is closer, they will come and watch.”

When at home, Sadie’s chores consist of caring for the calves, chickens, goats and, of course, her horses.

Sadie has five rodeo horses — Cowboy, Dutch, Cactus, Spice and Smokey — that she works and trains. Sadie rides at least once a day putting in more hours than her family can count.

“She has always loved horses and riding,” Stephanie said.

While her weekdays are filled with chores and training, each weekend Sadie can be found at a variety of rodeos.

Within Minnesota, South Dakota and Nebraska, Sadie can get her qualifying rounds in to earn a trip to the National Finals. To qualify for the final rodeo, riders have to place in the Top 6 at six different rodeos.

“Sadie has been performing really well so she has been able to get her six wins in without having to go farther away,” Stephanie said. “The farthest one, (besides nationals) we have gone to was in Billings, Montana.”