Ral’Shaun Descheny
CSU Rodeo Athlete
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.
Colorado State University is pleased to announce Seth Peterson and Chisum Docheff as the new coaches for the historic Colorado State University Rodeo Team!
Peterson and Docheff Take the Reins of the CSU Rodeo Team
Colorado State University is pleased to announce Seth Peterson and Chisum Docheff as the new coaches for the historic Colorado State University Rodeo Team. These two rodeo professionals are stalwart competitors on the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association circuit and have agreed to recruit, teach, and train Colorado State University student athletes with a goal to inspire a competitive rodeo spirit.
Seth Peterson, the new CSU Rodeo Team Head Coach, is a resident of Wellington, Colorado, and a 2021 graduate of the University of Wyoming. Peterson is a three-time Collegiate National Final Qualifier and the 2021 Reserve Champion All-Around Cowboy at the Collegiate National Finals held in Casper, Wyoming. Peterson extended his rodeo success to the pro ranks where he is a two-time PRCA Mountain State Circuit Finalist. In 2021, Peterson was the Champion Steer Wrestler for the region. When he is not on the road riding and competing at PRCA events, Peterson is a professional horseman training performance horses.
Assistant Coach Chisum Docheff competed collegiately at Northeastern Colorado Junior College. Docheff graduated in 2012 before turning professional where he has been a five-time PRCA Mountain State Circuit Finals qualifier in steer wrestling. In 2019, Docheff was named the Mountain State Circuit Final Champion. Docheff was honored to receive the award for Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year for the Mountain States Circuit in 2019 and 2021. In between his rodeo seasons, Docheff is a fifth-generation dairyman and has returned to the family dairy, Blue Sky Dairy, located in Mead, Colorado.
“Growing up on a dairy farm has been my number one teacher on the meaning of true work ethic,” says Docheff. “Commitment, hard work and a competitive positive attitude is what drives success. That is what I hope Seth and I can bring to CSU Rodeo Team.”
“Both Seth and Chisum are outstanding horsemen and young men of high character,” says Craig Huffhines, Colorado State University Director of Equine Sciences Programs. “Bringing two professional athletes on board is a gamechanger for the CSU Rodeo Team. These coaches will be outstanding role models for our student athletes. They possess a keen understanding of the challenges of academic life where the classroom comes first. In addition, they understand that hard work and a focus on personal wellness and fitness is key to being successful for both the contestants and their horses.”
“Collegiate rodeo shaped my life,” says Peterson. “We hope to instill in our student athletes an understanding of what it means to be excellent at everything we do – from providing great care of our horses and making sure our trucks and trailers are clean and operative to being a good roommate and prioritizing great study habits. Attention to every detail helps students become better rodeo athletes and better future professionals regardless of what career journey they pursue. Under this type of mindset and commitment, the Colorado State University Rodeo Team can be competitive at the Collegiate National Finals level.”
