| Show From Snowboard Snow board to Rodeo By Candice Cowley Contributing Writer Snowboarders often spend their weekends at the nearest resort looking looking looking look look- ing for fresh powder However Sophia Flinders spends her free time training horses and roping calves Sophia attends South City Campus and has a part time job yet she spends most of her time on the slopes or on a saddle She is a nationally ranked snowboarder and a member of the Intercollegiate Rodeo Team at Sophia has been competing in snowboarding for about six years for three and her list of accomplishments are endless She has raced in several local competitions competitions competitions including the the Utah Winter Games She has been a member of the US Women's Snowboarding team and has plans to take a place on the US Snow Snowboard board Team to compete in the 2002 Olympics So why would such a top ranked snowboarder take up a sudden interest interest interest inter inter- est in the rodeo scene I kind of got gotsick gotsick gotsick sick of snowboarding I just kind of wanted a change on a competition level Its It's kind of a contrast due to the fact that I go from one dramatic scene to another Sofia said On the rodeo team Sophia's specialties specialties specialties include break away roping and team roping She has also participated participated participated par par- in Western States which is isa isa a regional rodeo association She has had some obstacles to overcome with her new sport You know its it's really hard in fact it took me a long time to even catch a calf with a rope But that first time you catch a calf its it's one of the most awesome feelings Switching back and forth between snowboarding and is bound to bring about a definite culture shock Sofia notices major differences differences differences differ differ- between the music dress and basic way of life She has gone from wearing big baggy pants to wranglers and cowboy boots Its hard to live with both of them Everybody at home is like Chris LeDoux Chris I love Chris LeDoux but sometimes I just want to turn on something that jams Its It's kind of weird that my lifestyle is in both areas its it's a total clash With 12 credit hours and a part time job at Wolf Mountain where does training time fit in Sophia's winters are spent snowboarding snowboarding snowboarding snow- snow boarding and her summers at the ranch She mentioned that both sports are a total lifestyle you either live snowboarding or you live rodeo Snowboarding coach and student Doug Moore the top at both and she works hard at both Sophia gets a lot of support from her friends and teammates With a smile on her face she states just wanted to thank President Budd for forgiving forgiving forgiving giving us the money and support to todo todo todo do this and my boyfriend Doug cause hes he's the only one who understands understands understands under under- stands me v t r 1 J Jr J if i 1 n. n 4 U Ic r rr Ff F f i. i j r y 1 zt j. j r 1 t i 4 I So the next time you see a horse watch out Sophia Flinders may be tied to a tree at a local ski resort nearby |
