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.”
CSU Roots
A look back at CSU’s history and beginnings.
An update from Head Coach Branden Ferguson:
As I’m writing this it’s hard to believe that we have already had our first two rodeo of the season in Chadron Nebraska and riverton Wyoming. We are getting ready to head to Sheridan this weekend and with solid showings and lessons behind us I can’t wait to update everyone on the end of the fall. Chadron was interesting and very out of the ordinary to say the least! The program in Chadron has been working on their arena trying to get better footing and have done an amazing job with that, however mother nature did not help with that this year and with consistent rains over the week by the time we started running barrels it became obvious that for the safety of the horses and the contestants it was best to cancel the entire event. I am thankful and stand with the decision the judges made because it was the perfect opportunity to stand behind what you say and it showed that the health of the animal athletes in our sport is truly a priority.
So, with chadron becoming a much shorter rodeo the decision was made by the coaches of the region voted and thanks to Drew Schrock, the coach in Riverton we were able to make up all of the barrel racing Friday morning at the central Wyoming college rodeo.
We had quite a bit of success in Riverton with Marion Balsamo splitting second in the long round team roping with brother Samuel. We were also able to see Kelsey story and Dani Carr put down solid times in the barrel racing in the short go.
The spring of the fall season is close to its halfway point and with the practices and work all of the students have put in I could not be more excited to see how everyone does in Lamar and Cheyenne to end the fall. I look forward to updating everyone and cannot thank you all enough for your support for this rodeo program and these students that truly are the future of our sport, and western way of life.
