Fuel Fia's Journey to NHSFR & Beyond

UPDATE: WOW EVERYONE! Thank you so much – we have reached the goal set out for Nationals costs! We are amazed and have so much gratitude to our friends, family, community, Truckee Optimists Club and people we don’t even know who donated to help Fia. Thank you to Go Fund Me for sending Fia’s story to KOLO and Nevada Sports Net, helping to get her story out there. Thank you to KOLO and NSN for the new spots and to Moonshine Ink for the upcoming article. We appreciate it ALL SO MUCH!

Yesterday as we crested out goal, we got the news no rider wants to hear. The vet told us after Nationals Shiloh should retire. It’s been an amazing run with our goofy boy, but the time has come to exit the arena with his head held high.

We had hoped for at least one more season with Shiloh. Fia is now looking for an all-around horse that will take her through high school and hopefully through college rodeo. So, we’ve amended the Go Fund Me goal - if anyone would like to help contribute, anything above and beyond Nationals costs will go toward Fia’s next rodeo horse.

From the bottom of the Trombetta’s hearts – thank you for your generosity in helping Fia reach for the stars and grab them!

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Our daughter, Fia, has been competing in Nevada Junior High / High School Rodeo for 4 years. She and her horse Shiloh compete in pole bending, barrel racing, and goat tying. Together they have had a remarkable HS rookie season, placing 2nd in the state for the year in pole bending, receiving the honor of being named Nevada State High School Rodeo Association Reserve State Pole Bending Champion, and qualifying to compete for a National Championship.

The 77th Annual National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) is being held in Rock Springs, WY, July 13th-19th. This is said to be the largest rodeo in the world, with around 1,800 contestants competing from as far away as Australia and Guatemala.

If you don't already know, here's a little bit about Fia and Shiloh. Fia's friend, Sophia, had bought Shiloh for $1,000 (correction $2,500) off of a Craigslist ad when she was 14. He was around 15 years old, not in great shape, and had not been well cared for prior to Sophia giving him a loving home. She trained and rodeoed on him for several years before retiring him. Sophia had graduated HS and Fia was progressing in junior high rodeo. She needed a horse that could step it up. Sophia offered to lease Shiloh to us and did so for a little over a year and a half until she called me one day and said, "Fia and Shiloh have such an amazing bond. She puts up better times on him than I ever did. They are doing amazing together. There's no one else I would want him to be with. Can I give him to her?"

Goosebumps, right?!

Fia didn't have formal lessons up until this past fall - Jennee Rhodes we wouldn't be here without you! Now (at approximately 21 years old) Shiloh and Fia continue to progress and pull lower times, rodeo after rodeo. It is amazing to think the two of them will be competing at NHSFR together!

But the road to NHSFR is expensive. We're looking for help from friends, family, and sponsors to help Fia chase her dreams to Rock Springs this summer. She's seeking donations and sponsorships to help offset the cost of transportation / hauling, lodging, stalling, additional lessons, and incidentals.

Do you think you can help? A little or a lot... it ALL helps pave the road to NHSFR.

Ciera O'Brien is a wonderful photographer and has given her blessing to use her photography - I leave her watermarks visible so you know who to call for photos!