DSU Rodeo Rider Sebastian Hotalen takes on College National Finals Rodeo

How many freshman have experienced their first day of college with fresh staples to the head, after getting hit by a bucking bronc?

For Sebastian Hotalen, not even a blow to the head would discourage him from tipping the barrel in his rodeo career. “I like the adrenaline rush, and the environment of rodeo. It’s an awesome feeling to really battle with the horses and just be around the industry,” Hotalen said. “It takes a lot of hard work, determination, and confidence. You’ve got to work hard and try to better yourself each time.”

This rodeo star first took hold of the ropes starting in his early teen years, and has continued to ride into higher rankings with each rodeo. Raised next to the Rocky Mountains, Hotalen is a four-time Montana High School State rodeo qualifier and was the Montana High School Bareback champion in 2018. Not only has this title holder participated in hometown rodeo’s but is also a three-time High School National Finalist and even placed in the top 10 in 2019.

For more than twenty years, the College National Finals Rodeo has made its home and legacy in Casper, Wyoming. Nowhere else in the world can you find the most elite college athletes and animals going head to head in the dirt, competing to be crowned the best. The CNFR is the best of the best in college rodeo.

Dixie state hasn’t had a contestant qualify for the CNFR in 4 years! Being one in five members of Dixie State’s Rodeo Club, Sebastian not only represented DSU with great pride, but also placed 29th for bareback bronco riding in his first-ever appearance at the College National Finals Rodeo. – Go Sebastian!

When Sebastian isn’t rough handling bucking broncs, this DSU sophomore often finds himself in the study chute for his degree in business. His rodeo instructors know Sebastian as the rider that obtains good grades and is dedicated to his education. Rodeo Club Assistant Coach Camille Salisbury describes Sebastian as a “gritty kid”. “He says school is first and I rodeo second. He always says ‘I’m here for school,’” says Salisbury.

Camille Salisbury and her husband, Guy have volunteered as the assistant coaches of DSU’s Rodeo Club for the past four years. They run the club directly out of their home, allowing students access to equipment if necessary and providing them with practice in preparation for multiple rodeo events. The club usually participates in 10 rodeos per year. “We do it because we love the kids and the sport,” says Salisbury.

DSU’s rodeo club is hopeful to find a coach and offer students future scholarships. “We’ve got to be able to give these kids scholarships. We need to be able to offer them something in order to get them here.”

If you’d like to support the club, text DSURODEO to the number 91999

To learn more about Dixie State University, visit http://utahtech.edu or, for more information about DSU’s Rodeo Club, visit https://www.facebook.com/Dixiestaterodeo.