Sibling rivalry is a part of growing up with a brother or sister. The Foley sisters just take it a bit farther.

Instead of competing in driveway basketball, Kourtney and Kayla Foley take each other’s best shots at the highest levels of high school rodeo.

“It was easier when we were in different age groups because we weren’t competing against each other,” Kourtney said. “So now, it’s like, ‘I want to win, but I want you to be second.'”

Through rodeo, Kourtney and Kayla built a bond that transcends the frustrations of competition. On July 14, though, they can put aside their friendly rivalry as they compete for the state of Kansas in the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Okla.

Kourtney, a high school sophomore-to-be, made the team in pole bending, while Kayla, a senior-to-be, made it as a barrel racer. Usually, both girls compete in both events.

“We are supportive of each other,” Kourtney said. “Even though we’re up against each other, we’re still really supportive.”

The Foley sisters and their parents, Greg and Jackie, spend their weekends on the road, an experience they say keeps the family close. Of course, that closeness is often necessary when one girl is bound to beat the other in competition.

In mid-June, Kayla watched her sister qualify for the National High School Finals Rodeo while she fell short.

“Kourtney made it to nationals this year, and I didn’t, and that was hard” Kayla said. “That was really hard for me. That’s something I really wanted because that’s something I’ve invested all my time in. It was hard for me not to want to get in my little shell and be depressed, but at the same time, my little sister made it, and that’s the best feeling in the world.”

The NHSFR is held in late July in Farmington, N.M., and is the largest rodeo in the world. Once again, Kourtney will ride as part of the Kansas team. She finished second in pole bending to qualify.

“It’s cool,” Kourtney said. “That’s a cool atmosphere at nationals. Yeah, state : it’s cool, but we’re still all competing against each other. … I like it a lot at nationals. It’s so much fun because everyone’s getting along. Even the people who hated each other are now best friends.”

Rodeo is a large part of the Foley family’s life, but mom and dad insist nothing comes before grades. Kourtney and Kayla both carry perfect 4.0 grade-point averages at Perry-Lecompton High, and Kayla plans to attend Kansas University after next year.

The girls trace part of their success in the classroom and in life back to the rodeo arena, citing discipline and perseverance as traits learned through success and failure in rodeo.

“Really, honestly, when they’re out there, and it’s down to it,” Jackie said, “they’re fighting for each other to do a good job and do whatever it takes.”