Shaina Johnson of Rosalia wins gold at national rodeo

Sixteen-year-old Shaina Johnson of Rosalia walked away from one of the nation’s biggest high school rodeo events with a first place win in breakaway roping the week of July 5.

Johnson competed in the Silver State International Rodeo in Winnemucca, Nev., as a member of the Washington State High School Rodeo Association.

“It was amazing. It was one of those things you did but you can’t believe you did it. I worked really hard and the hard work paid off,” Johnson told the Gazette.

Johnson made a 2.39 second time on breakaway roping in Winnemucca, on her 12-year-old paint horse, Hank.

Johnson, who is home-schooled by her mother, Wendy, practices for hours each day at her rodeo events on the 220-acre family land outside Rosalia.

The family has 14 horses and almost 65 head of cattle. Johnson obtained Hank when he was five years old and the two have been training together ever since. Johnson has three other horses she competes on.

The Silver State International Rodeo in Winnemucca is one of two national events for high school competitors. The other is the National High School Finals Rodeo in Gillette, Wyo.

To qualify for the nationals, competitors must place in the top 10 places at their state rodeo finals. Qualifiers in the top four at the state rodeos go on to compete at the rodeo finals in Gillette. Places five through 10 compete at Winnemucca.

Almost all competitors at the national meets come from the western states.

Each state has its own rodeo association, and Johnson competed in the last 20 rodeos around Washington this year.

For winning gold at Winnemucca, Johnson walked away with two award buckles and a new saddle.

Johnson eventually plans to attend college and study to become a structural engineer. She also wants to compete in rodeo at the college level.