Peterson Brings the Heat to Start College Career

Goodwell, Okla. — “I like when the hard work pays off and success happens,” says Beau Peterson. The Oklahoma Panhandle State University freshman rodeo standout from Council Grove, Kan., has certainly shown she isn’t afraid to work hard and it is definitely paying off. Peterson has collected goat tying titles in each of the first three rodeos of the fall season. So far she has competed in and won the all-around title at two of those same rodeos to which Peterson humbly commented “It’s a nice way to start my college career.”

Assistant Rodeo Coach Shelbie Weeder said, “Beau is a coach’s dream. She has a great attitude and is ready and willing to put in work both inside the classroom and at the arena. She hit the ground running here at college and hasn’t looked back. I’m very proud of the success she has already seen this fall season and I know she will be a great leader for our team moving forward as we have our sights set on a national title for the women’s team.”

Aside from goat tying, Peterson also competes in breakaway roping and barrel racing. Knowing Panhandle State had a successful rodeo team combined with a great scholarship opportunity and the small university atmosphere are the things that brought her to Goodwell. As for her favorite thing, Peterson says, “just the feel” and adds “It’s a family feeling. It’s inviting.”

Raised on a ranch in the Flint Hills of Kansas, Peterson started riding at a young age and grew up around rodeo, with both parents, Matt and Dustin, and an older sister, Michaela, all having competed as well. She credits a great deal of her success to her family.

“My dad has taught me a lot in both roping and the mental aspect of rodeo. Several people have helped me along the way with my goat tying especially my mom, my sister, and a family friend.”

After just a short conversation with her, it is easy to see she is very passionate about her horses and they are a big part of her rodeo career as well. Hustler, Zanny, and Faith are her current go-to’s and she loves the time she gets to spend with them.

Peterson commented on her goals coming into college saying, “Every rodeo, I have my goal to make it back in all three events and win the all-around. I also want to make the college finals in at least two events. I want the women’s team to win the region and take a good team to nationals.”

She is certainly no stranger to success. With accomplishments too numerous to list, Peterson looks back to the close of her high school career mentioning a win at the Best of the Best Goat Tying in Gallup, NM this past June. Additionally, she won the breakaway roping, goat tying, and poles to earn the All-Around title in the Kansas High School Rodeo Association this past spring. She finished fourth in the goat tying and sixth in the breakaway roping at the National High School Rodeo and she finished third in the breakaway at the International Finals Youth Rodeo (IFYR) in Shawnee this past summer.

Peterson comments on finding the success she has, “It takes lots of hard work, dedication, and looking up to others better than you and trying to reach their level. I’m really passionate about it too, so it makes it easy to work at.”

Outside of time spent in the rodeo arena, Peterson enjoys playing basketball and spending time with her family.

She is currently a Nursing major and she would like to pursue a career as a nurse anesthetist in the future. Other future goals include making it to the American and the National Finals Rodeo (NFR). Peterson would also like to continue training young horses.