Sherri Mell is one of five inducted into hall of fame
Texas cowgirl began horse-related career early

By JULIET BRISKIN | Staff writer

Sherri at 19-months-old in 1959 with her mother Suzanne Koch after she won Best Appearing Cowgirl in Salinas, Calif. -- Courtesy photo

Nov. 18, 2004 - The news that yet another cowboy, cowgirl, professional football player or musician is to be inducted in their respective hall of fame, is exciting, yet holds little significance in most people's daily life. That is, until they have the opportunity to glimpse further into the exceptional lives that so many of these men and women lead.

On Nov. 28, Sherri Mell of San Antonio was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in Fort Worth and it only takes a few moments in her presence to understand fully why she was chosen for such an honor.

She began her award-winning career as a cowgirl in 1959 when, at 19-months-old, she won "Best Appearing Cowgirl" in Salinas, Calif. In the years that followed, Mell competed in 24 consecutive Women's National Finals rodeos, 21 World Championship Appaloosa horse shows, and has more than 100 world and national titles to her name.

"I was put on a horse when I was brought home from the hospital basically," said Mell. "As soon as my mother could, she put me on a horse and I of course chose Cricket."

As Mell explained, Cricket was the first mare her mother, Suzanne Koch, ever purchased. "When she (Mom) was 12-years-old, behind my grandfather's back, my grandmother helped my mother buy Cricket, a white mare," stated Mell. "She turned out to be a wonderful mare and we had her until I was in college. Cricket was the foundation for my mother's herd and was the foundation for both of our show careers."

Mell is the only woman to win calf roping championships at the world and national levels and is the first woman to win a National Finals Rodeo Championship title riding an Appaloosa. Her versatility in the arena is boundless and on any given day she can be found competing in anything from team roping, breakaway roping, cutting, jumping, Western riding, English pleasure, barrels and poles; and quite often on the same horse.

In the days just following her hall of fame induction, Mell captured three World Championship non-professional titles in breakaway roping, judged heading and steer daubing and one Reserve Championship in calf roping at the 2004 World Championship Appaloosa horse show.

While her titles and awards are enough to make her a role model for every young cowgirl and cowboy, and cause the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame committee to stand up and take notice, it is her work with the Special Olympics that truly earns her a place of honor.

Mell has created an organization, R.O.P.E.R., or Riding Opportunities Promoting Exceptional Riders, and has been coaching bowling, basketball, track and field, and equestrian Special Olympic teams for the past 12 years.

"I used to practice with the equestrian team at a therapy center, but I've since moved it here to my home and created my own equine therapy center because it is so much easier," said Mell. "Where we were was just around the corner, but I was taking my own horses, my own equipment and had to use my trailers, and this was on a daily basis in the summer."

In addition to having a team of 20 athletes, Mell is the Special Olympics coordinator for Area 20.

"There are a variety of events the athletes compete in," she explained. "There is showmanship, speed events, performance events and then there are different levels within each event. The first is C-level and they walk only. Most C-level riders have someone walking beside them and someone in front with a lead rope. The horse will have a lead rope and a bridle with reins and hopefully the child will be able to at least hold the reins.

"We always make sure that the judges understand that the disability of the rider does not matter. The important thing is what each rider does with their disability to the best of there ability."

Additional levels of competition include "CI" for walk but independent, "CS" which is walk with support, "BI" walk and trot but independent, "BS" walk and trot with support, and then A-level which is walk, trot and canter. Competitors at the A-level perform completely independent.

"It really is so hard to have a competition," admitted Mell. "You just want to give them all gold medals. To me, these riders are not disabled or challenged; they are exceptional!"

All of Mell's team members use her world and national championship horses during competition. The biggest problem Mell encounters is getting the word out to parents.

"That is a huge problem," she asserted. "In the horse world, everybody knows what I'm doing, but for parents not involved with horses already, it is a challenge. One thing they can do is contact the Special Olympics Texas directly and they can get in touch with me that way."

The benefits of working with animals and riding horses, in particular, are immeasurable to children with disabilities, explained Mell. "I had one athlete, who was never very verbal beyond making short sounds. All of a sudden, one day, he said two of the horses names," she detailed. "We were all so surprised and excited and this was after working with him for over a year.

"For all of these kids, after working with the horses, their self-esteem dramatically increases, they gain a sense of responsibility, and their muscular strength, endurance and flexibility improves. The benefits range from emotional, mental and physical, and truly are endless."

In addition to coaching for the Special Olympics, Mell hosts a free Wednesday night Inclusive Ride for her athletes, her friends and anyone else interested, and is the only equestrian coordinator in the United States for the Inner-City Games All Star Program. All of Mell's work with children and adults with disabilities, as well as her personal competition schedule, is done in addition to a full-time job as a coach at a local San Antonio public school.

For more information, Mell can be reached via e-mail at smell@eisd.net or regular mail at P.O. 201512, San Antonio, Texas 78220.