IFYR Event Champions And All-Around Announced

IFYR Event Champions And All-Around
Waylon Mitchell, of Trenton, FL, busts out of the chute in the finals of the IFYR Saddle Bronc Riding event on July 15 at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center in Shawnee. IFYR Board Chair Randy Gilbert said they had about 68 fewer contestants this year due to increased travel expenses, with some choosing to go straight to the National High School Finals Rodeo in Wyoming. However, the 30-year-old rodeo still attracted 965 entries from 32 states. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan
Timber Carter, of Seminole, competes in the IFYR Breakaway Roping event on the morning of July 15 at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center. She had a time of 2.1 seconds. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan
Rachel Kittle, of Woodland, AL, finishes her run in the IFYR Barrel Racing event, as her horse throws a horseshoe, on the morning of July 15. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan
Cole Smith, of Amazonia, MO, right, ropes the horns of a calf as Catcher Gasperson, of Decatur, TX, aims at the calf's back legs during the finals of the IFYR Team Roping competition on July 15. Smith and Gasperson came out on top among the team ropers, each winning a saddle, belt buckle and cash payout. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan
Parker Matthews, 15, of Huntsville, MO, charges out of the chute during the IFYR Saddle Bronc finals on July 15.
Wyatt Lavergne, of Sulphur, LA, dismounts from his horse during the finals of the IFYR Saddle Bronc event on the evening of July 15 at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center. Lavergne won the competition and left with a new saddle, belt buckle and cash payout. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan
Ladd Gose, of Lorida, FL, competes in the finals of the IFYR Tie-Down Roping event on the evening of July 15. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan
Kacey Bass, of Brenham, TX, rejoices after seeing her time in the IFYR Barrel Racing finals. She didn't win the event, but she did take home All-Around Cowgirl, as well as a saddle, belt buckle, cash payout and Cimarron horse trailer. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

The IFYR champions in each event and All-Around pose following finals competition on July 15. Each event winner won a saddle and belt buckle, as well as a cash prize. The All-Around winners also received a saddle and a Cimarron horse trailer from National Trailer Source. They are, from left, Barrel Racing champion Alissa Flores, of Loredo, TX; Team Roping champion Cole Smith, of Amazonia, MO; Team Roping champion Catcher Gasperson, of Decatur, TX; Pole Bending champion Kenna McLemore, of Gracemont, OK; Tie-Down Roping champion Cash Fuesz, of Eureka, KS; All-Around Cowgirl Kacey Bass, of Brenham, TX; Steer Wrestling champion and All-Around Cowboy Kase Busby, of Leesville, LA; Bareback Riding champion Connor Griffeth, of Skullbone, TX; Goat Tying champion Haiden Thompson, of Yoder, WY; Saddle Bronc champion Wyatt Lavergne, of Sulphur, LA; Breakaway Roping champion Zaili Saculla, of Bryan, TX; and Bull Riding champion Tate Pollmeier, of Fort Scott, KS. IFYR Board Chair Randy Gilbert said the cash payouts added up to about $286,000 this year, up from approximately $260,000 last year. This amount is in addition to $29,000 in saddles and $8,000 in belt buckles. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan