Shannon Adams



Shannon above pictured with YIRA
Royalty, winning the Eagle Selatsee memorial buckle

Name: Shannon L. Adams

Family: 

Daughter “Aryell”, Mother and Father Mr. and Mrs George Adams, Jr, Three sisters (June, Alice, and Andy), and two brothers (Tim and Ryan (deceased).


Educational Background:

 Degree from the University of Washington in Zoology. Two years of graduate school at Central Washington University after done with thesis will have a graduate degree in Master of Science in Resource Management. 



Pets:

" I have one mutt and 3 Chihuahuas (Clifford, Toto, Angel and TinMan), Two AQHA horses (Eagle and Shorty)"



Member of: 

"I am enrolled Yakama and Half Cherokee"



Associations: 

Western States Indian Rodeo Association, Yakima County Barrel Racing Association, BRN4D, and AW4D.



Rodeo Accomplishments: 

A number of All-Around cowgirl trophies and buckles from my younger days. Going to the INFR in 2002. Winning the Eagle Selatsee Memorial Buckle from the White Swan Treaty Days rodeo in 2001. Winning the WSIRA regional finals in 2002. 


When did you start and interest in rodeo: 

"I was born in rodeo and began riding at the age of 3 and started competing at the age of 7." 

Do you Have a Lucky piece that you compete with?

"I have a gold cross that I wear that lets me know the Lord is with me." 

What sport other then rodeo do you like?

"I like Basketball, because my daughter plays. I like Ice skating because I think they have to be very athletic and coordinated to do such a sport." 

What is the funniest thing that you have seen or experienced at a rodeo? 

"I was competing at a barrel race last summer and when I came out of the third barrel my horse jumped out so fast that the saddle horn caught underneath my bra. It held me down over my horse and when I got loose I thought I ripped my shirt, but I didn’t quit riding and we ended up winning it. "

What Indian cowboy or cowgirl influenced you to rodeo?

"My whole family would have a big influence on me in order for me to rodeo. If I wasn’t at a rodeo with my dad then it would be my mom or my sister hauling me to a Jr. Rodeo. As I got older and went to college it took awhile for me to get back into it. It wasn’t until my younger brother Ryan started getting into rodeo that I developed a spark to start rodeoing again. He passed away in 95 at the age of 17 and it has been hard to continue and to get a competitive edge. Recently, another big influence is a horse trainer named Sunny Faultner. He helped me train my barrel racing horse and I don’t think I would have won the WSIRA regional finals without his help." 

What advice would you give to a Indian kid, who wanted to learn to rodeo, ride horses, or ranch, but the kid doesn't come from a rodeo or ranching family? 

"I would tell them to get involved with an older rancher or trainer. Like my father he is a cowboy and he has a big herd of cattle and has many horses, but he isn’t as young as he used to be in his younger days. He needs a lot of help working his cattle and horses and if an Indian kid wants to learn the trade I think that is where I would start. Plus the older generation have many talents and experience that they can advise the youth in rodeo. My dad just built a big roping arena and he has already mentioned getting some really broke horses for younger kids to learn to rope off of. He also will lone his good heal horse out to some younger cowboys to practice on. It is easy to learn how to rope if your horse is on automatic pilot. I am sure there will be many kids around when they begin roping." 

Is there any songs that inspire you before you ride or rope?

"Yes, I would have to say Dwight Yoakum and AC/DC is good." 

What would you like to see more at Indian Rodeo's?

"I would like to see more Rough Stock riders. It seems that our association (WSIRA) lacks them. Also, I would like to see Indian Rodeo more organized and bigger purses like the PRCA."