NO HORSING AROUND; TEACHER WINS SIMI RODEO CROWN IN A FAMILY AFFAIR.

Byline: Kevin F. Sherry Daily News Staff Writer

A second-grade teacher from Santa Paula rode to victory in the overall rodeo competition Sunday at the Simi Valley Days fairgrounds.

Although Karen Kelley, 25, did not place in the steer stopping competition, her third-place finishes in team roping, ribbon roping and team penning were good enough to win her the all-around competition championship.

The first Runkle saddle prize was awarded by Easter Runkle, who also happens to be Kelley's grandmother.

``That's really special,'' Kelley said.

More than 5,000 acres of land in and around Simi Valley were once owned by the Runkle family, led by patriarch James Runkle, who died in 1991 at age 84.

The secret to a good ride is having an understanding teammate, Kelley said.

``You have to have a good, athletic horse,'' she said. ``They're 85 percent of the team.''

Dozens of people in cowboy hats, jeans and big belt buckles walked the rodeo area in preparation for their various events. Competitions included children younger than 10 and riders older than 80.

``It's a great family event,'' Kelley said.

Moorpark resident Norm Schieltz and his son Matt had to settle for second place in the team penning event as they watched their 31-second time get beat by a half second. A three-person team on horseback had to separate three numbered cattle from a herd of 30 and drive them into a pen.

``I couldn't find the third one,'' Norm Schieltz said. ``It was just hidden.''

The skill of the riders and the familiarity of the horses to cattle helps give an edge in the event, Matt Schieltz said.

``There's a lot of horses that have never seen a cow before,'' he said.

Having all three cattle out front when the timer starts doesn't hurt either, Norm Schieltz said.

``It's luck of the draw of the type of cows they are and where they are in the herd,'' he said.

Paula Glick, the Schieltzes' neighbor, enjoyed watching the skilled riders.

``It's an amazing sport,'' Glick said.

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Photo

PHOTO (Color in Simi Edition only) Ralph Hayes, with his hat flying, tries to rope a calf in the old-timers team penning competition Sunday at the Simi Valley Days fairgrounds.

Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News