Biederman Barrels for Title

In rodeo barrel racing, bigger doesn’t mean better. Or even tougher.

Audra Biederman is proof positive.

A few years ago, the 5-foot-1 rider reached the national high school finals with her broken right ankle in a cast.

“It hurt, but there was no way I was going to miss out on that rodeo,” Biederman said. “One of my friends got stepped on by a bull and was in the hospital but within a week he wanted to get out and start riding again. That’s the feeling competing in a rodeo gives you.”

Biederman, 20, a Thousand Oaks resident who rides for West Hills College in Coalinga, Calif., is hoping grit and determination help her win in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Finals, which begin Monday in Bozeman, Mont.

College rodeo combines NCAA schools with junior college programs.

“You’d be surprised, sometimes these little junior college programs are better then the big schools,” Biederman said.

Tori Woodard of Texas and defending champion Shane Hooks of McNeese State are expected to be Biederman’s toughest competition.

On her horse Tesoro, Biederman this season has won five of 10 rodeos and the title of Western Region champion. This is her second trip to the finals. She was sixth last year.

Among her victories was last month’s event at Pierce College. Her career-best of 17.4 seconds over a standard course is competitive in the pro ranks.

Barrel racing is the only pro rodeo event for women, and because of her success at the college level, Biederman has considered joining the circuit.

“I think I could make it in the pros,” she said. “What I really want is a chance to ride in the Grand National Rodeo.”

Even if she doesn’t excel in the pro ranks, Biederman is thankful for the friendships forged during competition.

“Rodeo is one of the few sports where some competitors will actually root for others,” she said.

But when it comes time for the finals, all friendships are on hold.

“I’ve even told my parents, no rodeo talk when we drive to Montana,” Biederman said. “I know what I need to do and I’m going to focus one barrel at a time.”

The travel demands of rodeo are hard, but Biederman has full support from her parents.

“We’ve been to all the garden spots, places like Barstow, Brawley and Bakersfield,” Biederman’s father, Harvey, said. “You don’t go to these places unless you really love the sport.

“But we’ve invested whatever spendable cash we could on Audra’s sport and loved it.”

In barrel racing, three barrels are placed in a triangular pattern and the rider must circle each one. Then horse and rider make a dash for the finish line.

“I finished sixth in the nation last year but there were some definite problems with my run,” Biederman said. “I think I’ve fixed them.”

Tinkering with problems in a sport where races are decided by split seconds can be frustrating, Biederman said.

“There was one race I lost by 13/1000ths of a second,” she added. “That’s so close.”

Preparing for the finals, Biederman worked on riding in tight quarters because of limited space between the finish line and the gates in Bozeman’s indoor arena.

“Last time I rode up there Tesoro wanted to round out when I came home for the finish,” Biederman said. “That could be the difference between winning and losing.”

Although she didn’t take up barrel racing until she was 13, Biederman adjusted quickly once she starting competing in age-group rodeos during her sophomore year at Thousand Oaks High.

“A lot of the people I rodeo with have been riding since they were in diapers,” she said. “But I learned quick, so I feel like I’m able to compete with any of them.”

Biederman’s first trainer, Bess Chaney-Davis, said the depth of her former student’s commitment is what vaulted her to the top.

“She spent 50 a hours a week at the ranch working with her horse and training,” Chaney-Davis said. “This is why she did it.

“Basically, she fell in love with her horse and he fell in love with her. Whatever she asks of that little horse it gives her his best.

“It might be good enough for her to win.”