ProRodeo Sports News - May 15, 2020

do other stuff. I’m the P.E. teacher, and I’m proud to say that.

to watch your health, but I still really enjoy In-N-Out Burger. That’s travel talk, and that’s the best part of this deal (quarantine), we eat a lot at home anyway and this has just encouraged that. We have enjoyed that a lot. Do you have a non-rodeo athlete or athletes you enjoy watching? Matt: It would probably be a tie between (tennis superstars) Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. I appreciate how close their games are to rodeo to me. There are some correlations there. I know I would have exceled at tennis. I didn’t even know it was available when I was a kid.

Is there one memory that stands out to you in your rodeo career? Matt: There are quite a few memories I have, and withThe Cowboy Channel airing “40 Nights of the NFR” and “20 More Nights of NFR,” it has been super fortunate because I’ve been on every year they have played here lately, which is great. It has been really cool to watch. I am pleased with my career and the way it has unfolded. Like anybody, there are always some that get away. That’s the nature of the game, but I’m pleased with the way it has played out.

As a kid you work hard, and you really don’t know how it is going to unfold. There are a lot of factors – life, injury, horses – those are things you have to take into account. What sports did you do in high school besides rodeo? Matt: I played basketball (as a point guard) and was a defensive back/linebacker in football. It was great playing other sports. I love competing, period. These days, I golf and play tennis, and a lot of that is so I continue to coach my girls. What advice would you give young ropers? Matt: I would tell young guys, especially ones that are good enough and have the stuff, I would say they need to work on their horsemanship and learn everything they can about that. Because for so many kids, the solution is we will just go find another good one. I would say work on your horsemanship and get every little bit you can out of it. There also has to be some emphasis on your fitness and strength. It has to be a good, functional program because that seems to be healthy mentally as well. Is there a rodeo or rodeos you have won that have been extra special? Matt: Some that stuck out to me are Nampa and Caldwell. Those because they are in Idaho and are the biggest rodeos we have in Idaho, and I won both at least a couple times.

Amanda Dilworth photo Matt Shiozawa spends time with his daughters Lorelei, left, and Ivory and the family pony, Sunny, at the family’s home in Chubbuck, Idaho.

How long do you expect to compete? Matt: Like anybody, you want to reach one more NFR, and that’s part of the plan, but I’mOK with whatever comes, even if that includes dialing it back to a (Wilderness) circuit level. My preference would be that a guy could get to where he can trim the travel down and have a circuit emphasis and then go to the big Tour rodeos. That would allow me to stay in the mix, yet trim some back and stay close to home. What’s your favorite TV show? Matt: I really like “Blacklist.” I also enjoy the new “Hawaii Five-O.” What’s your favorite dish your wife cooks? Matt: She makes a great turkey pot pie. It would blow your mind how good that is, and the leftovers never go to waste. Is there a favorite restaurant you love to stop at going down the PRCA trail? Matt: As you get a little older, some of your tastes change, partly because you’re trying

Amanda Dilworth photo Matt Shiozawa gives his daughter Lorelei tennis instructions, while his wife looks on. Lorelei’s sister Stella, left, practices her swing. Matt has spent a lot of time playing tennis and golf with his daughters during the COVID-19 quarantine.

ProRodeo Sports News 5/15/2020

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