Myakka City Elementary students end the school year with a rodeo

Ellie Connours, a fifth grader at Myakka City Elementary School, rushed into the Winding Trails Ranch arena on her horse. 

She guided her horse Dent around the three barrels in the arena as fast as possible. 

Her classmates stood outside the fence of the arena cheering for her. 

Connours said it was awesome to be able to show off her rodeo skills to her friends and classmates from Myakka City Elementary School May 23.

"It made me happy, especially that I won barrels and goat tying (events)," Connours said. "I was excited I got to share this bond with my friends and my two horses."

The rodeo was an end-of-quarter celebration for 232 students who accomplished three out of four goals for the quarter in math, reading, attendance and behavior. 

At least 40 Myakka City Elementary School students participated or helped in the rodeo, demonstrating their skills in events including barrel racing, goat tying, pole bending and sheep racing.

"What a cool deal it was to have the whole school here, be able to participate today and watch and learn," said Pam Teague of Winding Trails Ranch. "Having so many of the local elementary kids here and participating was very cool."

Connours, and her sister Macie Connours, who is in third grade, said their favorite events are barrel racing and pole bending because it involves speed. They race around the barrels or poles in hopes of having the fastest time. 

For some of the students, like first grader Gwendolyn John and second grader Marshyll Scott, rodeo runs in the family. 

Scott grew up around horses, starting to ride on her own at 2 1/2 years old. She followed in the footsteps of her mother, Paula Coddington, by starting to participate in rodeos. 

"My mom was a really good barrel racer and she made it through a lot of rodeos, so I'm going to try to do it like my mom," Scott said.

In Scott's family, the rule is she doesn't get to eat breakfast until the horses are fed in the morning. She's responsible for caring with the horses she's come to love.

Joyce Coddington, Scott's grandmother, said her children all participated in 4-H and FFA and now Scott and her other grandchildren are doing the same. 

"The legacy continues," Joyce Coddington said. "You have to continue your heritage or who will?"

John said riding horses has been a family tradition passed on through generations and she is proud to be part of the tradition.

"Not everyone gets to (ride horses), so it's special," John said. 

Ellie Connours said although everyone wants to win at the rodeo, it's more about having fun. Participating in the rodeo also gives her an opportunity to bond with her horses. 

"It's like having a best friend," Connours said about her horses. 

Ellie Connours was celebrating the end of her final year of elementary school with her classmates in an arena where she had her first rodeo competition.

"I've grown up in this arena," she said. "This is the best place, and my favorite rodeo arena and favorite place to ride. I love this sport, and I love our school because of all the rodeo stuff they do here. So many kids rodeo, which is awesome because they're like me." 

While some of the students have been to Winding Trails Ranch and have seen a rodeo before, others like fourth grader Madison Knight were watching for the first time. 

She was amazed at the speed during her favorite event, the barrel races.

"I like how they were making the horse turn quick to go right to the next barrel," Knight said.

Knight said it was exciting to see her classmates in the arena. Watching students her age compete made her want to try riding horses. 

Fourth grader Vincent Resnick said it was an adrenaline rush watching his classmates speeding past, holding on as best they could.

Second grader Joshua Smith had fun participating in mutton busting, which is sheep riding. 

"It was cool to show my friends how good I am," Smith said. "I like that I can be out riding because it's fun to fall on the ground."