Rochelle Fielder
Rochelle Fielder
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Rochelle Fielder grew up with horses as a part of her day to day. She competed in gymkhanas as a child, got into showing horses and mules, tried her hand at dressage, jumping, and racing. “Then I learned to rope and I got completely addicted to this sport,” she says. Rochelle first learned to rope at Les Jones’ arena in Southern California. At the time, California was synonymous with team roping in the way that Texas is known for rodeo as a whole today. “There were a lot of other kids who were also learning to rope so it was fun. I learned a lot about the cattle business and the horse business through riding there.”
Rochelle has been team roping around the U.S. for decades. From California to Colorado, she is now settled in Perrin, TX. “I have three horses and a ton of great places to go rope. I couldn’t be happier!” Rochelle’s primary mount is an 11-year-old sorrel mare named Rusty. “She is kind of a fire breathing dragon, but she tolerates me enough to let me have fun on her.” Rusty came out of Nebraska’s Pitzer Horse Sale as a 5-year-old and has turned into a competitive head horse under Rochelle’s guidance. Rochelle says, “Sandy is my grey gelding. I rescued him and he was in kidney failure, emaciated, and kind of sad when I got him. We had to put him on a special diet and antibiotics to help the infection, but he pulled through. He’s a pretty special guy and he is fun to ride and compete on.” Rochelle’s third horse is a big, bay mare named Betty. “Betty has a big motor that helps me get out of the box. She is able to rope both ends and she can have months off and be totally fine to hop on and go. She is just an honest horse.”
When Rochelle is roping she prefers to use the Spyder or the Powerline Lite by Classic. “I have had two shoulder surgeries, so having a light and effective rope helps a lot,” Rochelle says. When asked about her team roping goals she says, “I would love to make it to the 40+ Finals. The people I have met at their ropings are always so kind. Wesley and JP really put on great events and having so many to choose from is really nice.”