Rodeo has done a lot of things for Zachary and Giorgia Wilson.

Besides the opportunity to travel around the country and meet new friends while competing for cash prizes and scholarship money, the siblings’ participation in the sport gives their parents peace of mind.

“10:30 or 11 o’clock, I know where there at: they’re down there practicing,” said Keith Wilson, Zachary’s and Giorgia’s father. “And when they do get through, they’re too tired to do anything but go to bed.”

The siblings’ willingness to practice has produced remarkable success. Giorgia competes in the Alabama Junior Rodeo Association and Zachary competes in the state high school rodeo association, and both recently won all-around championships in their respective divisions.

“I like traveling, competing and winning,” Zachary said about his interest in rodeo, though it wasn’t clear if those were in order.

Zachary has also won seven championship saddles, 15 championship buckles, four all-around cowboy buckles and saddles, two Southeastern Roping Association High Point saddles and more than $2,000 in scholarship money.

“Both of these two want to go to college one day on a rodeo team,” Keith said. “Rodeo is one of those weird sports where you can win money and it doesn’t hurt your college career.”

Giorgia was the 2006 Wrangler Rodeo Queen, the 2007 state junior rodeo association’s all-around rookie and has won two championship saddles.

Giorgia competes in barrels, poles, gate tying, breakaway and ribbon roping. Zachary competes in calf roping, team roping and steer wrestling.

Keith attributes some of the success to the siblings’ horses, both of which were purchased after they were retired from the high school rodeo association.

Zachary’s mare, Belle, is 22 years old, and Giorgia rides Susie, a 20-year-old.

“We’ve been fortunate to find good horses that we could afford,” Keith Wilson said. “When they retire those old horses, it’s going to be a sad, sad day.”