Ral’Shaun, more commonly known as YD, is the kind of guy that has never met a stranger or
failed to make someone smile, and always finds a way to find the good in everything. This
young cowboy is from Rock Point, Arizona and he calls Circle Dee Ranch home. He is no stranger
to the rodeo and ranching lifestyle as he is the fourth generation of his family’s western legacy.
His blood runs deep in rodeo, back to his great grandfather who started off as one of the first
rodeo stock contractors in the Navajo Nation. “Having horses around was apart of my daily life
and a lot of teachings have helped me to become who I am today” Descheny shares.
This is Ral’Shaun’s first year at CSU, he transferred in and is now a junior studying equine
science. He chose CSU for the esteemed equine program and coaching staff, particularly the
talented head coach Seth Peterson. After he graduates, he plans to put his education to work as
an assistant instructor and hopefully a rodeo coach. First however, he has bigger goals of
getting on the professional rodeo trail and qualifying for his first NFR (National Finals Rodeo).
He attributes much of his passion and skill set to his family, but if asked Descheny will tell you
his grandfather has had the greatest impact on him. Ral’Shaun is very honored and proud to get
to compete and carry on the last name and the legacy behind it.
As a little boy, YD and his little brother went to many rodeos with their dad. His father is a
rodeo announcer back home, allowing them many opportunities to take in all the rodeo action
from a young age. He says “I would be looking behind the scenes of the roping box and
visualizing myself being a part of the sport of team roping”.
Ral’Shaun cares greatly about education and his horsemanship. As a horseman and team roper,
he hopes to fulfill his goals of creating quality rope horses and giving back to his community and
the people who have helped him along the way. As for every day, he strives to be a better
person than yesterday and remembers to be grateful for living some little kid’s dream back
home.
Currently, YD is soaking up being centrally located for the college rodeos. He says it’s great not
having to trek across the whole country every weekend! He is also capitalizing on being a
consistent team with his team roping partner Brayden Filmore who currently attends school at
Otero College. Descheny has also been able to season his four year old mare at the college
rodeos. Her name is Scarlet, she is a home raised horse that he has had the opportunity to
train. Scarlet show cased the great work Ral’Shaun has done with her at every rodeo so far. The
team has been a good match up this season, they are currently sitting fourth in the Central
Rocky Mountain Region. Outside of Rodeo, Ral’Shaun enjoys playing other sports, studying, and
practicing his traditional beliefs.