OklahomaHorses Magazine January 2024

January / February 2024 • OklahomaHorses 11 rider essentially “stands” off the side of the horse at almost a 90-degree angle. It is named for Leonard Stroud, a Wild West performer who originated the maneuver. Schalla says that particular trick takes a great amount of core strength and is one of the more difficult tricks to master. Schalla’s signature trick, however, is called “under the neck” — a trick that very few people in the United States perform because it is so complicated and dangerous. Memorable Experiences Schalla has performed at many rodeos during the years, but one of her favorite things is to perform for a crowd that has never seen anything like what she does. She also enjoys talking to kids and signing autographs after her performances. One of her most memorable experienc- es was performing at the PRCA rodeo in Burwell, Nebraska, with Shyla, Layna, and Clara Navarre, young trick-riding sisters from Weatherford, Oklahoma. “I got to trick-ride going down the race- track,” said Schalla. “This made my horses run 10 times faster than they usually do. I am also one of the only trick riders that have ever gone under the neck flying down a racetrack at those speeds.” Some of Schalla’s other memorable expe- riences include doing Wild West shows in California and performing in front of Reba McEntire last summer in Saratoga, Wyoming. The Difficulties of Trick Riding Many people might not know that trick riding was once a competitive rodeo event. However, that ended in the late 1940s when it was deemed too dangerous. Nowadays, trick riders are specialty acts at rodeos, and many also work in Hollywood, doing stunts for movies and television. “We crash and burn all the time in prac- tice because we are learning new tricks all the time,” said Schalla. Mishaps also occasionally occur at performances. “I was at a performance once when I went under the neck and my foot popped out of the stirrup, and I got run over,” noted Schalla. “But I popped back up and finished my performance.” Trick riding gives new meaning to the phrase (and Chris LeDoux song), “Get back on that pony and ride.” Trick riders such as Schalla simply get back in the saddle and keep chasing their dreams. Interestingly enough, however, Schalla says the most challenging part of what she does isn’t the riding itself but trying to book rodeo performances. “You are in an industry where there are 10 other acts doing the same thing you are and bidding a price lower than you can,” she noted. “This is why I always have a goal of learning two new tricks every year so that I’m always evolving and getting better rather than staying at the same level.” Passing the Torch Schalla’s passion for trick riding includes passing the torch and teaching the skills she has mastered to the younger generation or anyone with a desire to learn. She has two students who are aged five and seven. The girls started with Schalla last fall, and they should be ready to perform at some local am- ateur rodeos by next summer, Schalla said. As for Schalla’s advice to anyone wanting to learn trick riding, she says, “Find some- Madison Schalla andTrixie perform the riding trick known as the death drag. Photo by April McDermid Photography.