When Larissa Byers, a senior at Solanco High School (SHS), first started riding horses, she was not into rodeo, just trail riding. As she continued to ride, however, Larissa discovered barrel racing, which is a rodeo event where a horse and rider attempt to run a cloverleaf pattern around barrels in the fastest time. Larissa fell in love with the event right away. "It's an adrenaline rush, but that's what I like," she said.
Larissa is a member of the Pennsylvania High School Rodeo Association and the Central Pennsylvania Youth Rodeo Association. She has competed in several rodeos on the East Coast. Last year, Larissa qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo in barrel racing and pole bending, which is a timed event where a horse and rider run a weaving or serpentine path around six poles arranged in a line. This event took place in Guthrie, Okla. This past March, Larissa qualified for the Junior American in Fort Worth, Texas. While there, she competed in breakaway roping, which is a variation of calf roping where a calf is roped, but not thrown and tied.
This fall, Larissa will further her education at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, where she will pursue an associate degree in accounting while competing on the college's rodeo team. While there, Larissa would like to get her professional rodeo card, which would allow her to compete in professional rodeos.
"Some of the biggest supporters, influencers, helpers, and sponsors are my dad and mom, Bryan and Monica Byers," she explained. "They have driven me many miles to compete in many different rodeos, and I wouldn't be able to do any of what I'm doing without them." Larissa also thanked her roping teachers, JR and Jayme Myers. "They have always pushed me to keep going and continue doing what I love," she said.
SHS provided Larissa with a diverse education that helped her decide what she wanted to major in at college, she explained. While at SHS, Larissa completed two accounting classes and loved them. "Having those choices and different ways you can set up your schedule are very beneficial to deciding your future," she said.
Larissa's dream job is managing and running an equine facility, whether it be racehorses, rehab facilities, vet clinics, or anything in between.
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