Rodeo Skills, Lifelong Lessons

Gus Trent Rodeo Association was established to aid youth in learning about the various events associated with rodeo. These events include Barrel Racing, Tie Down roping, Break Away roping, Goat tying, steer wrestling, steer undecorating and relay racing.

The rodeo lifestyle exposes children to situations that will help them to develop the skills to be productive and well-rounded members of society. Rodeo kids have responsibilities they must take care of or their performance can be negatively affected.

Rodeo not only develops life-long skills, but it has psychological and physical benefits such as physical fitness, safety, good work ethic, self-confidence, critical thinking skills and commitment. All these traits coincide with the social skills developed such as leadership, communication and teamwork as well.

We are trying to prevent youth from going in the wrong direction by giving them an alternative to getting into trouble and dropping out of school. At the current rate of young people failing in school and entering the criminal justice system, action has to be taken to save our youth. The association also helps them develop the life and emotional skills that prepare them for society.

There is no current program like it in the city of Tampa. The majority of youth who grow up in the inner city have limited to no exposure to the equine world. Every event associated with rodeo builds self esteem and confidence, and instills a sense of pride and responsibility. Those basic skills are critical to the survivability of our youth.