Three Rivers freshman Kyle Otto has been accepted to the Elite Rodeo Camp because of his rodeo success, grit, and determination.

Elite Rodeo is a division of Sky Ranch Camps that offers clinics and camps to rodeo youth. The notable rodeo camp boasts the finest steer wrestling and calf roping instruction available anywhere today. The list of instructors includes: Rope Myers, Stran Smith, Blair Burk, Charlie Kingsbury, Cash Myers, Joey Bell, K.C. Jones and Glenn Clark. Champions Rodeo Camps director Rope Myers said, “Our goal for these events is to help some of the country’s finest young rodeo athletes achieve all they’re destined to do, in the arena and out.”

Otto said if he can raise the money to attend the camp, he hopes to build on what he learned at other rodeo camps in the past. “I want to become a better roper and get my time down below 12 seconds. I want to be a faster roper, improve my get off and get faster on my ground work. I hope that I learn more horsemanship skills. I would also like to learn tricks about the different tack I use and making sure what I use on my horses is what makes them work the best at the Elite Rodeo Camp.”

For the 2009 Texas Youth Rodeo Association (TYRA) season, Otto was Champion Chute Dogger; he earned Top 15 Jr. Ribbon Roping, 9th place Jr. Tie-Down and Top 15 Jr. Breakaway Roping. In the 2008-09 Wrangler Junior High Rodeo, Otto was Region VIII Ribbon Roping Champion, Region VIII Reserve Champion Chute Dogger, 6th place Tie-Down and 6th place Team Roping.

The 2008 TYRA season was Otto’s first year to rodeo. He earned 11th at finals in Ribbon Roping, was in the Top 25 in Tie-Down, Top 15 in Breakaway and received a saddle for bringing in most sponsorship money.

Otto has competed at playday events for 4-H organizations, county clubs and cowboy churches. He is a 4-H member and has held the following offices: secretary, treasurer, parliamentarian and County Council officer. He is also on the Livestock Judging Team and was in the Top 5 team at all rodeo contests entered and Top Junior Individual at several area contests. At the Live Oak County Fair, he shows swine, goats and lambs.

In addition of his rodeo fame and animal husbandry success, Otto finds time to play football while maintaining academic honor status. He has been on the honor roll since kindergarten. He was a Duke Award Scholar in elementary and as a high school student takes advanced honors classes and participates in UIL specializing in pencil art, maps, charts and graphs, and math.

Otto said his ultimate rodeo goals include winning a state title by the end of high school. “I have the academics, so I hope to be good enough to get a rodeo scholarship and compete on a college rodeo team. I would like to represent the State of Texas for a national title. My next goal would be to make it into the PRCA and rookie of the year, leading me to the National Finals Rodeo.”

Brush Country Cowboy Church has resolved to help Otto raise the tuition money for Elite Rodeo Camp by allowing him to have a bake sale at the church. The tentative date for the bake sale is Sunday, Dec. 13. Check The Progress “Church Shorts” for an update.

Otto’s mother, Sherri Otto Nelson, said, “Any baked goods would be appreciated to help Kyle out. Items can also be dropped off on Saturday (Dec. 12) at my mother’s gift shop, This and That in George West, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is a true honor for my son and I would appreciate the help.”

Total cost for the rodeo boot camp is $595, plus an additional $100 if he doesn’t bring a horse.