Alumni Spotlight: Heidi Uecker-Schmidt ‘06
- lorihauf1
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
Heidi Uecker-Schmidt, a 2006 Dickinson State University graduate, was recently named president of the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA). This role reflects her years of competition, leadership, and dedication to women’s rodeo.
A Hettinger, North Dakota native, Heidi moved with her husband Joe to a ranchette west of Belfield in 2010. Their daughter, Reagan Noel, is seven and attends Demore’s Elementary in Medora. Outside the arena, Heidi runs the Miracle Ear franchise in Dickinson, a business she has grown since 2008. “Watching someone hear again is truly amazing,” she says. When she finds rare downtime, she enjoys golfing and walleye fishing.
Her rodeo journey started young thanks to the support of her parents, Nancy and Ted Uecker. Though they were not rodeo people, they nurtured her love of horses. Her father, a cattle buyer, operated Uecker Yards where they kept the horses. Heidi put in extra effort to practice, feed, and care for the animals. She began competing in the show ring before discovering her passion for speed events. Along the way, her parents made sure she was surrounded by mentors who helped her succeed, many of whom are still instrumental in the rodeo community today.
Heidi’s competitive record is impressive. She qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo all four years in barrels, breakaway roping, goat tying, poles, and cutting. She won a state title in cutting and was named North Dakota High School Rodeo Association all-around cowgirl in 2001 and 2002. At Dickinson State, she qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo in breakaway roping. Professionally, she has qualified for three Badlands Circuit Finals in barrel racing and competed in numerous other major rodeo events including NDRA, NRCA, and Roughrider finals.
Her time at DSU wasn’t just about competition, it was also about friendships that left a lasting mark. One of her favorite memories involves her friend, Noel Marshall, whose adventurous spirit inspired countless stories. “Our daughter’s middle name is Noel, after my good friend and roommate Noel Marshall,” she says. Noel was known for climbing the smokestack to hang the Canadian flag on Canadian Independence Day and bare hand crawling across the indoor arena’s beams to hang a giant Blue Hawk before dropping to the floor like a cat. “He was a great friend to so many of us and is missed.”
Today, Heidi still trains and competes, often with her daughter, but her focus is also on leadership within the organization. Since joining the WPRA board in 2014, she has served as Badlands Circuit Director, Vice President, and now President. She has helped launch the WPRA’s ground improvement program, expand opportunities for women in breakaway roping, and strengthen communication with the PRCA, judges, and rodeo administration staff.
She believes her experience as a competitor fuels her ability to lead. “I was passionate about making changes that, as a competitor, I could see needed that change,” she says. Her advice for young athletes is straightforward: “You get out what you put in.” Being a professional athlete, she says, is not measured only by how many rodeos you attend. The circuit system offers opportunities for those who can compete only on weekends. Most importantly, she urges riders to plan for life beyond the arena. “Having an education, skills, and another passion for when life throws you a curveball is vastly important.”
Heidi Uecker-Schmidt's work in and out of the arena continues to make an impact on the rodeo community she’s proud to serve. She remains committed to creating and expanding opportunities for women in the sport.
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Written by Alician Parks, DSU HF Student Writer
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