Name:
Sonya Lynn Taypotat
Age: Half way to 60! Yikes!
Marital Status: Boyfriend – Brent Dodginghorse
Family/Children: One Daughter & My pride and joy - Cayda Nash Dodginghorse.
Parents: Bernice & Louis Taypotat, Brothers: Darrell (Christa), Curtis (Jackie), Sam (Tammy), Sisters: Chooch
(Ryan), Kendra (Terrance), Gail (Nyle), Martina (Les), Numerous Nieces and Nephews!
Hometown:
Kahkewistahaw First Nation, residing in Whitewood, Saskatchewan
Native
American Heritage: Cree
Horses: Sold Rattler,
Traded 4 year old Gray for my current barrel horse TRY - I love her!
Pets that
you own: None
Rodeo Events Worked: Barrel Racing,
and sometimes when I feel like donating to breakaway roping. Hahaha
Association
member of: PIRA, CCA, SBRA
Rodeo Accomplishments:
1992, 1994, 1995, 1996 Year End Junior Barrel Racing Champion
1995, 1996 Year End Ladies Barrel Racing Champion, 1996 INFR Qualifier, 2006 & 2007 IIFR Qualifier. I actually
lost track it was so long ago.
When did you start an interest in rodeo?
6 Years Old I entered my first Jackpot Rodeo. I didn’t even own cowboy
boots. I wore rubber rain boots.
What other sports other than rodeo do you enjoy?
I play Volleyball in a womens volleyball league. I love volleyball.
What is the
funniest thing that you have seen or experienced at a rodeo? My family and I were down at a college team rodeo
in Rocky Boy Montana. I must have been about 11 or 12 years
old, and my sister Chooch and I shared my wonderful horse jughead; she in the Ladies and I in the Juniors. Well, during my
sister’s barrel run on her way home from third barrel, where I was standing I had a clear view of her run home at the
end of the gate; the horse came to a sudden stop and turn and Chooch came flying off the horse and came rolling into the fence.
It was so funny. She got up laughing, and I think she must have felt pretty embarrassed.
I ended up winning second at that rodeo and beat my sisters’ time.
What advice would you give to Indian youth about rodeo or anything in general?
After I made it to the INFR in Rapid City I took time off
from barrel racing. That was a time when I lost my old faithful barrel horse.
His name was Jughead. He took me
down the road to many rodeos and won us many championship titles, but it was unfortunate that I wasn’t able to use him
at the INFR because of his sickness. I ended up borrowing a horse that I wasn’t
used to and didn’t know had not run barrels in years. I was totally discourage and humiliated after that experience
at the INFR. I quit barrel racing, because of the humiliation and plus, I had
no horse.
It took me ten years to get back in the saddle again. But, during that
time, I had got myself a degree in Education and became a teacher.
My brother had bought a heading horse, and it so happened he was also a barrel horse too. My family and I were at some jackpot rodeo, my brothers were all there for fun and practice, and because
there was no other rodeo that weekend. My dad told me to enter in the barrels, and try this horse because he can run barrels
too. So at 27 years of age, with no practice or even have never ridden a horse
in 10 years, I jumped on my brothers heading horse to run the barrels at this jackpot rodeo, and guess what? We ended up winning. It was a very uplifting experience. After that I was in a zone and wanted to
get back into barrel racing again. So, I used my brothers heading horse in the
barrels, and we ended up placing at the rodeos. He was such a good little horse, until, he became lame too.
I then got a 17 year old big beautiful bay horse, Rattler, and a 4 year old Gray Dash for Cash from the
Track.
A friend of mine from North Battleford called me up and asked if I wanted to buy her horse. I of course thought
really hard of how to come up with the funds, because this horse was really great! I managed and now have a gorgeous 12 year
old Bay Horse, and her her name is Try.
I guess with my short story is that never give up. No matter how old
you are, you are still capable of achieving anything you want. As long as you
put your mind to it! Look at June Holeman for instance, she is over 60 years
of age and riding pro with the best of them.
What advice would you give to Indian youth who wanted to participate in
rodeo but
didn’t have the resources or support to get involved? Go to rodeos, and talk
to the cowboys and cowgirls. They are always willing to help out and give advice.
Are there any songs that inspire or pump you up before you ride or rope? I am a rodeo gal,
but I am not into all that country stuff. I like to listen to up to an up to date Hip Hop, & R&B Mix.
What would you like to see more of at Indian Rodeos? More Prize Money!
What are/ your favorite western movie(s)? Pure Country & 8 Seconds
What is your favorite music? Hip Hop, R & B, Some Country
What was your most memorable ride or run? I was racing
at the PIRA Finals in the Ladies Barrel Racing, and had over and undered my horse through a run in gate, and that gate wasn’t
open all the way, and it almost tore my leg off running through it. I ended up
getting a re-run. I dismounted my horse, and my leg hurt so bad I couldn’t even walk on it. I was in tears, and I got
back on my horse. I entered the arena once more, and didn’t feel any pain. When
you are racing you get in a zone and you do not hear or feel a thing. I ended
up winning the championship title which qualified me to the INFR in 1996.
Who
is your all time hero? My Dad - Louis Taypotat. He took our family down the road to all rodeos, and paid my entry fees.
Even when I won I didn’t pay him back. He also stood by the gate
and told me to make a run, and cowgirl up, and then would give a whip to my horse as I raced through the gate. Thank-you Dad!
What Indian Cowboy or Cowgirl has influenced
you to rodeo? My family, and especially my sister Chooch. She was my role model, and showed me a lot about horses, and rodeo.
Would you like to thank sponsors and or anyone for your success in rodeo? I would like to
thank my dad, sisters, and brothers. I would also like to thank my boyfriend Brent Dodginghorse for all his support and encouragement
when I get down and out.
