SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — San Pasqual High School senior Ryley Asbell was a member of the Golden Eagles track team. However, her true calling has been on horseback, as she's been involved in rodeo since she was five years old.
"I currently compete in the National High School Rodeo Association for California in District 8 where I'm the president. There is no team at San Pasqual High School, but you do have to be signed up by the school, and a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average in order to compete."
Ryley says the attraction to rodeo was just about being a cowgirl. And she's done quite well, as she's been crowned district barrel champion, and she also competes in goat roping and team roping.
"As I progressed through the sport, I realized what attracted me most was having that relationship with your horse, and knowing that you are literally trusting them with your life."
And she was looking forward to the state rodeo finals in June, but that was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Coronavirus has deeply affected my last year of high school rodeo. After this year, I have to sell my two beloved horses in order to go to college. I will be attending the Northern Arizona University honors college for physics and astronomy."
