Cassie's Trick and Fancy Riding
About Cassie
In the old days, trick riding was an event in rodeo where cowboy's competed, performing dangerous tricks on the fastest horses they could find. They called it trick riding due to the fact that most of the stunts looked impossible to perform. As the years went on, fewer people were willing to take the risk to learn these dangerous stunts. Now, trick riders no longer have to compete, but are hired to perform at rodeo's and other events.
Cassie Simpson is one of the few who was willing to take the risk and put forth the dedication to learn the art. Growing up on a small ranch in Northeastern Pennsylvania, riding horses came easily to Cassie. She was on the back of a horse before she even learned to walk. Cassie's whole family was involved in horses and rodeo. Her parents Don and Susie Simpson, both had horses while growing up. Being a past member of the National High School Rodeo Association and also the Keystone Junior Rodeo Association, Cassie saw a few trick riders and decided it was something she wanted to pursue. She first met Professional Trick Rider Laurie Snavely in 2003 at a youth rodeo. Cassie approached Laurie about learning to trick ride and later got her phone number. She recieved her first trick riding lesson with Laurie in the summer of 2005. From that day on, she was hooked. Due to conflicts in both their schedules, Cassie didn't get another lesson until the spring of 2007. From then on she and Laurie got together and practiced every month. Cassie has done several performances for the Keystone Junior Rodeo Association. She also recently performed during the Pennsylvania High School Rodeo Association at the Wyoming County Fair.
Goin' Nuts
Cassie's Trick Riding partner is a registered Quarter Horse Buckskin gelding named Chico! Not only is Chico Cassie's trick riding partner but also her Barrel Racing horse. Cassie started training Chico as a trick riding horse the Spring of 2007. Why him you ask? It wasn't because of his color or because of his speed, but because of his heart. Chico and Cassie had an accident while at a rodeo back in 2005 when Cassie had first bought him. He was rearing up at the gate when he slipped and went over backward, sending Cassie to the hospital in an ambulance. (Now you would think, she wouldn't choose the only horse who's ever sent her to the hospital right? Wrong.) From that day on Cassie and Chico's bond grew stronger. As Cassie was laying in the dirt after their accident, Chico did everything he could, not to step on her as he was getting up, nor to land on her while they were falling. Chico looks out for Cassie while the two are running around the arena and she's dangling precariously upside down. If you look closely, you'll see he's always watching over her.
