Some folks are born with rodeo in their blood. Maybe it is genetic, or maybe it is a God-given surprise. Perhaps it is both. From the first glimpse of the arena lights, a stirring happens deep inside. When this is paired with a love of horses, passion is born.
Occasionally people have the opportunity to act on this innate passion from childhood, but many grow up in neighborhoods removed from the rodeo world. These individuals have to work extra hard and burn up the highway to make their goals and dreams come true. While the tools of the trade are important, the key to success in this pursuit lies in finding mentors who will help them navigate the industry.
Magnolia, TX native Chelsea Novosad is one of these mentors. Her mother, Rita Novosad, was involved in rodeo as a young child in the 1960s. While living with her grandparents, Rita ran barrels with the National Little Britches Rodeo Association. Her grandpa (Chelsea’s great-grandpa) Artie Bittner rode bulls and broncs and was a well-known pick-up man for many associations. In addition, he served as a long-time committeeman of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo ( formerly known as the Houston Fat Stock Show ). When Rita moved back home to her parents, she stopped competing, yet her connection to the industry was never far off, with her daughter developing the passion years later.
As Chelsea searched for a way to break into the rodeo world as a young child, she discovered people were willing to help her get started. She learned horsemanship in her youth while running barrels and poles under the guidance of trainer Ronnie Griffin. While Chelsea enjoyed those events, she always knew she wanted to rope. This proved to be a fine decision for her success and her pleasure, as she is quick to say there is nothing she loves to do more than rope.
Chelsea found some kind coaches to guide her in the roping world in men like Glen Ramsey, Joe Beaver, and Mike Arnold. Even during her high school years, she spent many an evening under Ramsey’s patient tutelage practicing and honing her skills.
With the lessons these men instilled in her and her parents Dennis and Rita Novosad’s support, she found herself moving to Stephenville, TX to continue in the pursuit of her roping dreams.
She currently lives in Stephenville, and it has been home to a fresh dream. An elementary school teacher by day and roper by night, she is constantly working to better the sport, which led to her most recent venture: Rodeo U Productions.
Rodeo U is a program led by Novosad that offers clinics throughout the United States to participants of all ages and experiences. Students discuss long and short-term goals and make a plan with the instructors on how each student can accomplish them. All students are invited to keep in contact with instructors and they are always one phone call/text away.
If ever there was a toolbox waiting for interested parties, it is Rodeo U. The clinics currently feature Goat Tying with Laramie Zant, Breakaway Roping with Chelsea Novosad, Steer Wrestling with Stan Branco, Tie-Down with Westyn Hughes, and will soon be adding Team Roping in 2022.
While many participants are youth, some of her most successful ones are adults. One recent adult graduate just won her first breakaway roping buckle at a South Carolina Roping series. Novosad has had students qualify for the Jr. NFR and Junior American as well as qualifying at state and national levels for their high school and junior high rodeo regions.
Throughout each clinic, there is an abundance of moments such as these where the coaches can break down barriers created by geography. Novosad has seen how participants in states where rodeo is not as popular often feel like their ability is lacking. However, she is quick to reassure them it is not that they don’t have the ability, but simply that they need to be given the right tools to succeed.
Not only does this mindset make the clinics rewarding, but it also creates lasting relationships among its participants. Novosad blends her classroom teaching skills with her horsemanship and competitive knowledge to create an atmosphere where learning is facilitated effectively. Stan Branco, the steer wrestling instructor has a unique way of breaking down the basics and being able to explain things in many different ways to different types of learners. Laramie Zant is a long-time goat tying instructor who has her goat string brand, LZ Goat Strings.
With Chelsea’s amazing team of event-specific mentors, they embody the attributes they hope to pass on. These lessons go beyond the world of rodeo, and each participant is given an official Rodeo U clinic T-shirt, a Bible, as well as a huge bag of sponsor-provided prizes and awards.
With steer wrestling and other events in decline in some areas, Rodeo U is building up the pool of pro rodeo cowboys and cowgirls, as well as better neighbors and community leaders. There is even talk of starting Rodeo U jackpots as a yearly alumni rodeo including all past participants and maybe one day that perhaps will include rough stock.
In line with this dedication to character and personal development, Chelsea believes that rodeo will only continue to exist if competitors all help each other become the best they can be. Rodeo is a team sport at its core, in that it takes a community of folks to build each other up to reach their potential. In a time when the money is bigger, it is easy to become caught up in individual results. At Rodeo U, you do your best and build up those around you.
Whether you are just starting your rodeo journey, or you are years into it, take some time to get to know Rodeo U Productions. Look up their clinics. Who knows, you may find yourself competing with some of their alumni down the line.
The work of Rodeo U Productions would not be made possible without the support of the following sponsors: (100% of donations go towards prizes for the students)
Double-A Breakaway, Pyranha, JD Bits, Hay Chix, Cowboys for Christ, Tractor Supply, Steinhausers (Chastity Sargent), Creative Impressions, CRT Agency LLC, Massie Western Creations, Jennifer Brown-United County Real Estate, Pat Hooper Leatherworks, and LZ Goat Strings.
To stay updated with clinics make sure to like and follow Rodeo U Productions on Facebook and Instagram. For more information on hosting a clinic at an arena near you call 281-684-2438.
