Two local sisters, Klancy and Darby Shope, won several first and second place awards at the recent state high school finals rodeo in Gonzales.

“It’s definitely exciting and it makes it feel worthwhile all the time and effort I put into this,” Klancy said. “It felt good.”

“It was really exciting,” Darby said. “I was a little disappointed after the first run hitting the pole [in pole bending].”

After that, Darby redeemed herself and finished second in pole bending.

“It was a very proud moment when my horse was horse of the year,” Darby said. “It was very rewarding.”

Klancy just graduated from high school and participated in her fourth and final state rodeo. She tied for first place in girls cutting out of 10 finals participants. She scored 211 points in the first round, 218 points in the second round and 217 ½ points in the third round.

“First of all I have two great horses that helped me get there,” Klancy said. “As far as the cutting, I think had three solid runs.”

Klancy’s horse was named DD in girls cutting.

Klancy won the girls all-around contest, which was the cowboy with the highest combined total points for all of the events.

The Darbys finished in first and second place in the pole bending out of 36 state finals participants. Approximately 70 individuals compete, but only the top 36 made the state finals.

Klancy came in first. Her first run was in 20.3 seconds, her second run was in 19.9 seconds and her third run was in 25.4 seconds. She actually finished her third run in 20.4 seconds, but hit a pole, so her official score was 25.4 seconds.

“The poles — although I got that penalty the horse still did a great job in the other two,” Klancy said, adding her horse was named Cat.

Darby just finished her sophomore year of high school and has competed in two state rodeos. She likely has two more state rodeos to be part of. She finished second in pole bending.

In Darby’s first run, she had a score of 27.5, her second run score was 20.0 and her third run score was 20.4. She actually finished her first run in 22.5 seconds, but hit a pole and her official score was 27.5 for the first run.

“We worked hard throughout the year and we came to the state finals with the points we had,” Darby said.

Darby also won $250 in college scholarship money because her horse Two Eye Trey Bar collected the most points in the state finals.

 “A good state finals is what made him win horse of the year,” Darby said.

Darby was also elected to the 2009-10 student Louisiana High School Rodeo Association (LHSRA). She will be the secretary and help plan things for next year.

“It’s a good feeling,” Darby said.

Klancy and Darby were able to reflect on what made them successful during the state finals.

“I usually ride five hours seven days a week usually six just practice all my events,” Klancy said.

“For the most part I say I probably spend five to six hours a day at the barn. That’s riding, feeding and taking care of everything.”

“We spend a lot of time every day practicing and preparing ourselves so when we can get to the competition we can perform to the best of our abilities,” Darby said.

The Shopes have found that time and effort worthwhile.

“I think I had an exceptional four years of rodeo,” Klancy said. “It took up a lot of time in my life, but it was very much worth it with all the friends I made being with my family doing something I love.”

Klancy said she was able to accomplish what she may never have a chance to do again.

“I’m very thankful and proud of what I have done,” Klancy said.

“I made some of my greatest accomplishments this year.”

Klancy said senior year made it more enjoyable and she reflected on what she won. She said it was bittersweet because she won, but it was her last chance to be in the state rodeo finals for high school.

Darby called it a “rewarding” experience.

“We know that all of our hard work and training has paid off,” Darby said.

“I think I’ve done well my first two years and I plan to keep working hard, continue my success in the pole bending and continue to push myself in the rest of the events so I can be higher in those events as well.”

Both said being third generation cowgirls interested them in horses and rodeo.

“I’m a third generation cowgirl. I guess that’s kind of how I got started. My mom (Brenda) got me into it,” Klancy said. “I think that’s a reason I’ve enjoyed it. All of us have been able to take part of it.”

Klancy said she loves spending extra time with horses.

“It’s a part of my life,” Klancy said.

Darby said the rodeo is something the whole family could be part of and enjoy.

“We’re both third generation cowgirls,” Darby said. “Our grandmother and mother are both rodeo.

 “The drive to succeed and the reward after you know your hard work has paid off. The friendships you develop, it’s a good feeling to have all that. The competition itself it brings a thrill and excitement that makes you push harder to better yourself.”

After high school, the Shope sisters will continue doing what they love as a hobby.

“I am planning on still keeping rodeo as part of my life and attending rodeos around the state,” Klancy said. “I definitely am going to keep doing.”

“I will likely always have rodeo and horses in my life,” Darby said. “It’s something I plan to continue to keep around and enjoy.”