Trick Roper Kiesner Born For Rodeo

SPRINGDALE -- Rider Kiesner knew he wanted to be a rodeo entertainer at the age of nine, when he received a Will Rogers Trick Roping Kit for Christmas.

But even before Kiesner knew exactly what he wanted to do in the rodeo business, the California native whose family now resides in Ripley, Okla., never had a doubt being a cowboy was always destined to be his path.

"My dad rode saddle broncs, my mom raced barrels and I grew up and they were doing that," Kiesner said. "I'm a fifth generation horse trainer in my family. My name is Rider, my brother's name is Roper, so my parents are big in Rodeo.

"It's something I've always wanted to do and I really love it."

Kiesner fell in love with the entertaining aspect of the rodeo at an early age. He picked up juggling at six years old, and once he got his hands on that Will Rogers Trick Roping Kit the rodeo world would soon have itself one of the best young rodeo showmen in the business.

This week, at the 70th Rodeo of the Ozarks, fans at Parsons Stadium get to enjoy Kiesner's act up close and personal. Now regarded as one of the top entertainers in the business, the 22-year old performed his trick roping and gun-spinning show Wednesday and Thursday and will be back for more today and Saturday.

"When I was 11 I started doing small birthday parties and small open rodeos in Texas because that's where we were living," Kiesner said. "I kind of got better and got a little bigger rodeos. And I've got to hand it to my parents, they were the ones who kind of let me go on the road, me and my brother. He's actually riding broncs here at this rodeo, and my parents kind of had a mini-Wild West show to help make me better and I kind of got a bigger name for myself.

"Then when I turned 18 I got my own pro card and started doing my own rodeos. And I've been pretty blessed. I've worked Cheyenne, this will be the third year I've worked (National Finals Rodeo) and now I'm here and this here is a darn good rodeo."

Kiesner's show includes a 50-foot long trick rope, a dazzling gun spinning display, roping blindfold and a new attraction, the fire whips.

"Those fire whips are brand new. I got those in December and used those for the first time at NFR last year," Kiesner said. "My gun spinning, there's a lot of good gun spinners out there so I've got to keep coming up with new tricks. And the trick roping has been going on forever. So you've got to stay at work at it and keep in shape."

Rodeo of the Ozarks board member Brian Adams had an opportunity to see Kiesner's act prior to this weekend and knew he would be an ideal choice for the local fans.

"I've been going to Cheyenne for the last six or seven years and met him up there, and then met him in Las Vegas last year," Adams said. "I knew he would be a good fit for what we needed, something new and fresh.

"We're just really happy to get him and probably going to be looking to have him back."

Adams said a focus at this year's rodeo was entertainment that was attractive to the younger audience, and Kiesner certainly fits that description with his high energy, non-stop roping and gun spinning action. And despite being a three-time Wild West Performing Arts Society World Champion trick roper, Kiesner insists it's the performance -- not the individual accolades -- that drives him to be the best in the business.

"One thing the world championships does, it makes me feel likes I've accomplished something. But really it helps me get hired for more events and it helps my resume," Kiesner said. "Doing the actual show, that's what is fun right there. That's all I want."