Three Local International Finals Youth Rodeo Competitors Share Experiences
The dust has settled, and the announcer’s booth is now silent at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center. But all last week, in the morning and evening, it was the place for all things roping and riding.
From July 10-15, the 30th Annual International Finals Youth Rodeo hosted 965 entries from 32 states in 10 events.
IFYR Board Chair Randy Gilbert said they were down by about 68 contestants this year. He suspects that is due to inflation, including the cost of fuel, meals, and hotel rooms. He said some of them decided to go straight to Gillette, WY, for the National High School Finals Rodeo.
However, the cash payout and prize totals were up this year for the IFYR. Gilbert estimates that the cash payout was about $286,000, up from approximately $260,000 last year. Plus, saddles for the event champions and All-Around Cowgirl and Cowboy were about $29,000, and belt buckles were $8,000.
Added to that, there were two Cimarron horse trailers donated by National Trailer Source for the All-Around winners, to make the IFYR “one of the richest youth rodeos in the sport,” according to a rodeo press release.
The event champions this year were Alissa Flores, of Laredo, TX, in Barrel Racing; Cole Smith, of Amazonia, MO, and Catcher Gasperson, of Decatur, TX, in Team Roping; Kenna McLemore, of Gracemont, OK, in Pole Bending; Cash Fuesz, of Eureka, KS, in Tie - Down Roping; Connor Griffeth, of Skullbone, TX, in Bareback Riding; Haiden Thompson, of Yoder, WY, in Goat Tying; Wyatt Lavergne, of Sulphur, LA, in Saddle Bronc Riding; Tate Pollmeier, of Fort Scott, KS, in Bull Riding; and, Zaili Saculla, of Bryan, TX, in Breakaway Roping. Kase Busby, of Leesville, LA, was the Steer Wrestling champion and the All-Around Cowboy, and Kacey Bass, of Brenham, TX, was the All-Around Cowgirl. Gilbert said they had a successful rodeo with “great volunteers and personnel and very respectful and competitive contestants.”
Some of those 965 entries didn’t have to travel far since they live in Pottawatomie County. Avery Dockrey, in Goat Tying, Madison Van Brunt, and Koree Thompson, both in Barrel Racing, are all from Shawnee. Jessica Staff, of Tecumseh, and Matraya Haynes, of Maud, also competed in Barrel Racing. Braxton Ogle, of McLoud, was in Team Roping, along with Cotton Walters, of Paden.
All three Shawnee competitors answered questions about their rodeo experience, and they all share a love of horses.
Thompson said it is her horses that keep her going in rodeo. She has her competition horse, Ruby, one in training, and a broodmare that recently foaled.
Van Brunt’s barrel racing horse is Kits Bar Lena.
“I love everything about being around horses and rodeoing,” said Van Brunt. “It is a lot of work and patience. Most days (it’s) blood, sweat and tears. It’s all worth it in the end.”
Dockrey said she competes on a 22-yearold horse named Sandman.
Rodeo is in the blood for all three, as well.
Thompson’s older sister, Kylee, used to be in rodeo before choosing softball instead. She said she has some cousins who rodeo, too.
Van Brunt said, “My mom ran barrels, and my dad team roped. I tried other sports, and they were never my forte. I got the rodeo genes of the family, and my twin brother got the athletic ones.”
Dockrey said, “I got attracted to rodeo because my dad and stepmom both did it, so it’s just something I’ve been around my whole life.”
At 17, Dockrey said she started learning rodeo skills at age 4. Thompson said she learned to ride at 6, and Van Brunt said she’s been “riding (her) whole life.” It was at age 12 that Thompson began seriously competing, and Van Brunt realized an interest in rodeo.
“Every summer when the IFYR would come around, I would get so excited, and I remember thinking, ‘I am gonna ride in that one day,’ ” said Van Brunt.
All three Shawnee cowgirls have competed in the IFYR for two years and have had “tough luck” at their local rodeo.
“I’ve had a little bit of tough luck the last couple of years there, but I’ve had other big accomplishments in rodeos,” said Thompson, who found success at the Junior National Finals Rodeo, in Las Vegas, and the Better Barrel Races World Finals.
“My first year, I had some tough luck, but it was a great experience,” said Van Brunt. “This year, my goal was to go out there and have two clean and consistent runs, and that’s what I did. I’m very proud of the horse.”
Van Brunt added that she has earned a belt buckle and a qualifier for the National Barrel Horse Association “big barrel race” and money.
“I’ve volunteered at the IFYR for four years,” said Dockrey. “This year was my second year to compete in it. I haven’t had any success at the IFYR yet. I’ve won three saddles and many buckles at other rodeos.”
Dockrey said she won the saddles at the NBHA.
There are many challenges in rodeo competitions to overcome.
Thompson said some of the main challenges are “keeping your horse healthy and weather conditions, because sometimes, like if it’s raining, sometimes you can’t ride because … it can be too wet, and you don’t want your horse to slip and fall, or when it’s too hot.”
“There (are) many challenges, just like there is in anything,” said Van Brunt. “I’ve been through many trials, but that just keeps me pushing to go more. Rodeo isn’t easy, not one bit. I’ve had horses get sick, get hurt; I’ve broken bones.”
Dockrey said, “Some challenges of rodeo (are) getting up early after a long night and going home to practice in the Oklahoma heat.”
Despite the challenges, two girls mentioned their appreciation of the IFYR for its unique aspects.
“There’s three big arenas going on at one time, and it’s my hometown rodeo,” said Thompson.
“The IFYR is unique because you don’t have to qualify for it,” said Van Brunt. “Usually, with this big of rodeos, you have to qualify, but not this one. If you think you can compete, you can enter. I love that about the IFYR.”
The Shawnee trio each credit their family members for their success. Thompson also credits her sponsors, and Van Brunt mentioned her friends, as well.
“I just thank God and my family that keep pushing me and supporting me through it all,” said Van Brunt. “The relationships I have with my horses and the drive I have to want to push to do better, keep me going. I enjoy the hard work and the lessons that rodeo and horses teach me every day.”
“My dad has helped me succeed in rodeo,” said Dockrey. “He’s always there to encourage me to keep going, and he’s always there to help me practice and get to the next rodeo.”
In addition to competing in rodeos, Van Brunt said she gives horse riding lessons and is “accepting new clients, ages four and up at any level of experience.”
“I would love to help kids learn about horses and respect from animals and hard work,” said Van Brunt. “If you would like to get a lesson set up, email me at mrvanbrunt23@gmail.com.”
