Running for a cause: Southland teenager motivated by her late grandfather – Austin Daily Herald

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Erika Hollerud rotates the barrel during the run. Image provided

Erika Hollerud stands next to the barn where she grew up learning to ride and train horses. Hollerud was inspired to compete in barrel racing by his late grandfather. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com

Erika Hollerud shows “Ice” at her grandmother’s property near Austin. Hollerud is an aspiring barrel racer who attends Southland High School. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com

Erika Hollerud walks her colt “Otto” through her grandmother’s barn near Austin. Hollerud hopes to use Otto for barrel racing in college. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com

Southland student Erika Hollerud carries the American flag during the national anthem Friday night during the first night of the Great Frontier Bullriding Show at the Mower County Fair. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

It takes a lot of courage to mount a horse and ride it at full speed towards a barrel before stopping, twisting and turning while riding full speed in the opposite direction.

Southland sophomore Erika Hollerud has guts, but she also has a lot more. Hollerud also has a lot of heart, and that comes from his late grandfather, Art Hollerud, who worked with horses before he could even walk. Hollerud still trains his horses at his grandfather’s barn, which is about a mile from his home, just a few miles from Austin.

“My grandfather took me here when I was about five months old. He passed away six years ago, but he got me into horses and it stayed with me. I did my first show when I was three or four years old, Hollerud said. “I had a concussion (from a fall) not too long ago, but having my grandpa put me through it and him watching over me now keeps me going. He would have done anything to be there for me. I know he’s kind of with me when I do it. I want just to make him proud.”

Hollerud has continued to ride and has become a standout, advancing to the 4-H state meet three years in a row and competing in the champion show representing the Southeast Minnesota Saddle Club Association two years in a row. He will compete in both events this year as well.

Hollerud competes in a tough field of riders, but has been ranked as high as 10th among the best in the state in her age group. The acceleration process requires a lot of time with the horses and Hollerud is currently riding his horse “Ice” colt “Otto” who will be his riding horse if he is able to compete in college. as he plans.

“I try to work my horse five times a week,” Hollerud said. “They’re athletes, too, so you want to work on their stamina and topline. You also want to work on barrel rotations so they get that in their heads.”

Hollerud began taking racing seriously after attending a clinic with professional barrel racer Renee Kenney, who continues to offer tips to Hollerud. Hollerud also leans on her parents, Craig and Carrie Hollerud, and her best friend and area rider, Lauren Irvin, who attends the Austin Online Academy.

Lauren and her mother Karen have supported Hollerud on rodeo trips.

“Karen has helped me so much. She’s a wonderful woman and I’ve been best friends with her daughter since she was a year old. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t have Karen and Lauren,” Hollerud said. through and we talk about it to each other. It’s a big thing in this sport.”

One of Hollerud’s favorite races is the Allzin for Alzheimers Barrel Race in Albert Lea, as Hollerud’s grandmother battles dementia.

“I always love playing the jackpot, but it’s even better to know that some of the money is going to a good cause,” Hollerud said.

In the future, Hollerud would like to compete in the high school rodeo scene, but the six-hour drive to most destinations up north would be difficult for his horse. He might try it during his senior year.

In addition to barrel racing, Hollerud also got a behind-the-scenes look at the Mower County Fair last week while on the Junior Fair Board.

“It was just an incredible experience,” he said. “I did a lot of social media management. Seeing everything at the fair is a lot. We went to the meetings every month and saw the things they need to organize.”

Even though Hollerud is still a relatively young rider himself, he also has the next generation behind him in mind when riding. He knows that young children are impressionable, and he wants to leave the best impression on young riders.

“I want to be someone they can go to for help if they need help,” Hollerud said. “I know there’s always a little kid watching and wanting to be where I am. So I try to never look disappointed in any run, even though it wasn’t my goal, because this was also my dream.”

Although he still has three years of high school left, Hollerud hopes to eventually attend South Dakota State University or Iowa Central Community College, both of which have rodeo programs.