Lacey Taylor at one of her competitions.
A Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) is one component of the three-circle model of agricultural education. SAEs give students the opportunity to turn their learning in the classroom, lab and FFA into a real-life application through a variety of projects. An SAE is extremely hands on, which allows students to better prepare themselves with the skills they need to be successful in and out of the National FFA Organization.
Meet Lacey Taylor
Lacey Taylor is a member of the Highland FFA Chapter in northern Colorado. She’s currently a sophomore in high school and her SAE is working with her family to raise bulls they compete with through the association Buckers Unlimited.
“In 2020, I started flanking bulls with my dad,” Taylor says. “He’s the main reason I had the courage to start this. He has always had an interest in raising livestock and bucking bulls, so I would always see him doing something he loves, and it made me find an interest for it, too.”
Taylor and her dad.
The Process
In describing the in-depth process of preparing bucking bulls for competitions, Taylor said, “For each competition, I tie the bull flank rope around the bull’s hip/flank area. I then have to take a pin and put it through the rope. The pin is attached to what we call a dummy, which is basically a metal box that sits on the bull’s back and simulates a rider. This helps the bull practice and get better at bucking off their rider in the future.”
Taylor with the first competition buckle she won.
Taylor’s SAE has also helped her become a more empowered individual.
“From my project, I have learned that younger people like me, especially younger women, can do just as much as men can do,” she says.
Her determination is also heavily inspired by her parents. “I mean, a lot of stuff that I do is because of what I have seen my own dad and mom do and accomplish,” she adds.
Taylor’s parents have played a key role in her SAE.
Hopeful for the Future
In the near future, Taylor has some big plans for her unique SAE. She hopes to one day compete with her bulls at bigger rodeos like the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association or the Professional Bull Riders. Additionally, she would like to continue to remain in the large animal industry, whether it be continuing her path in this industry or becoming a large animal vet.
