Shorty, a red roan gelding, is the Thedford High School cowboy’s steer wrestling mount.
Shorty isn’t just any horse. On his back, two Nebraska High School Rodeo Association steer wrestling titles have been won, and countless buckles and saddles.
The Pokornys got the horse eight years ago from the Kasselder family near Ericson. Shorty was raised by Dean Pelster, who considered using him for ranch work but thought his personality was better suited to steer wrestling. Shorty had also been used for a bit of heeling in the team roping.
Jake Kasselder had ridden Shorty for college rodeo. Dane’s older brother Cauy rode Shorty in high school rodeo, and so did several other steer wrestlers, including Lane Day, who won the state title in 2011 and Zane Patrick who was co-champion in 2017.