Rider Kiesner put the video games aside.
At 9 years old he was given a Will Rogers trick roping kit and just kept spinning.
FAQ
Rodeo of the Ozarks
WHEN — June 22-25
WHERE — Parsons Stadium, Springdale
COST — $15 to $23 for grandstand seating; $25 for box seats; $38 for Buckle Club seats; children, $7 for grandstand seating.
INFO — rodeooftheozarks.org, 877-927-6336
"I could juggle, and I really liked the tricks with the ropes and guns," says the 10th generation horse trainer. "But really, anything that had to do with a rope, I really liked to do. That's where it's at for me."
Kiesner, four-time world champion trick roper -- also a master gunslinger and bullwhip cracker -- will wow crowds next week during the 72nd annual Rodeo of the Ozarks at Parsons Stadium in Springdale.
Kiesner's act during the nightly shows will include trick roping from a horse -- "charro" style. In addition to the craft of the Mexican vaqueros, Kiesner will rope from the ground in the all-American, Will Rogers-style. "It's faster," he explains the American style. "And I'll do my whip cracks and my gun slinging."
And when not cracking and spinning in the arena, Kiesner says he likes to walk around among the rodeo fans, showing a few tricks and signing autographs. "That's how I get all the girls' numbers," the 24-year-old quips.
"I absolutely enjoy it when a kid has questions," Kiesner continues. "I'll tell him to wait one second while I finish my trick. Then I'll help the kid -- and even sometimes adults -- get the trick, get the part they can't get. Then we'll practice a little bit.
"I'm glad to be able to give back the advice I've been given over the years," he says, naming the late Vince Bruce, a British man nicknamed the "Wizard of whips, ropes and lariats," as his mentor.
"It's all hard," Kiesner says, speaking of his skills. "But I think I've worked so much over the years, I learn things quicker now. You don't see the hours and hours when I've been frustrated. I may not be talented, but I've got a work ethic and I'm thick-headed."
Kiesner thinks he has "figured out" all the tricks to traditional roping and gun spinning. "Although I could always do better," he says.
He promises he has mastered those he will perform in the show.
"But there are a few I'm always working on that I don't quite have down." He says these wouldn't work in the show anyway because of the finesse and smaller movements required to pull them off.
"Or a guy might come up and show me an older trick that's kind of gotten lost over the years and everybody forgot it."
Joining Kiesner in Springdale will be his brother, Roper, currently 30th in the world, riding saddle broncs Thursday night.
More than 460 other cowboys and cowgirls will compete Wednesday to June 25 for a purse of $60,000 put up by the local rodeo board -- a nice paycheck on a ride for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association's National Finals Rodeo in December. Stace Smith, 12-time PRCA stock contractor of the year, again brings rodeo's top broncos and bulls for the cowboys to ride.
Cody Sosebee, rodeo clown from just down the road in Charleston, will entertain crowds as the cowboys get set.
Rodeo events begin this weekend with a barbecue competition, stagecoach rides, a street dance and Wild West contests at Shiloh Square on Emma Avenue downtown Springdale. Horses and riders gully-wash Emma Avenue on Wednesday afternoon and the morning of June 25 for two annual rodeo parades.
Miss Rodeo of the Ozarks will be crowned June 25, with help from Miss Rodeo Arkansas, Miss Rodeo Oklahoma and Miss Rodeo California.
And Kiesner will keep roping. He's performed in 15 countries -- including a tour of Asia -- and roped for the Sultan of Oman and other world dignitaries.
"It's a big blessing to get to see the world this way," he says.
NAN What's Up on 06/17/2016