High School Students Enjoying Thrill Of Competitions
Wild Horse Racing
Keeping the long tradition of wild horse racing in Wolf Point going are two cowboys who are entering their senior years of high school.
Kasey Reed and Dashaun Jackson started their wild horse racing careers with teammate Dusette Grandchamp and they haven’t looked back. Their successful trail has included wins in Glasgow; Parshall, N.D.; and Poplar. They recently placed third at a large competition in Utah.
Reed received his start when Jackson asked him to be the rider on the team last year. “I was down to do it,” Reed explained.
After gaining experience, they agree there’s nothing quite like the wild horse competitions.
“It’s the adrenaline rush,” Jackson said. “There’s a lot of adrenaline.”
Reed added, “The adrenaline rush is wicked. It’s like nothing else. There’s eight other horses running around that don’t stop.”
Grandchamp is the shankman for the team while Jackson is the mugger and Reed is the rider. They feel the mugger position is the toughest spot. “Because you don’t know what will happen with the horse. He could kick you or he could bite you.”
They try to come up with a strategy prior to their races, but they admit that doesn’t always work.
“You need to have a plan when you get out there,” Jackson said.
Reed added, “You need a back-up plan, too.”
As the youngest team in local wild horse competitions, they are thankful of the advice and the support received from other competitors.
“A lot of people see that we’re keeping the young generation of wild horse racing going,” Reed said.
Jackson, Reed and Grandchamp have competed at rodeos in other states including Colorado, Wyoming, Washington and Utah.
They encourage other people that are close to their age to attempt the sport.
“At least, try it out,” Reed urged. Reed’s younger brother, Jesse, has also participated in wild horse racing, but he isn’t as enthused about it. Jesse was on a team that placed third at a competition, so he beat his brother on that day.
“After that, I retired,” Jesse laughed. “I got out when I was on top.”
Although wild horse races look dangerous, Kasey and Jackson said they have suffered only a few bruises during their time in the arena. Still, their high school football coaches aren’t overly excited about them being involved in the activity.
“They support us, but they don’t like it,” Jackson said.
Kasey Reed is anxious about being able to compete in his first Wild Horse Stampede in Wolf Point this weekend. Jackson isn’t permitted because of a minimum age requirement, but he will support the team as much as possible.
“I will be behind the chutes helping them. I hope these guys win all three nights,” Jackson said. “If they don’t win, they didn’t listen to me.”
Reed said, “I think we can pull it off.”
Jackson, meanwhile, is confident that he will compete at the Wolf Point Stampede for many years to come. “I think I have 15 more years in me,” he said.
