story by Magie Downare-Nevius
Carmen Oates pole bending
Walking away from the 2013 Finals as a quadruple title holder (peewee barrels, poles, goat tying and all-around), Carmen Oates returned in her second season with the JrSRA to continue to build a name for herself. Jumping to the junior age division, the 8-year-old cowgirl took to the arena as the number-one contender in the barrel racing and pole bending, which led to a substantial lead in the all-around heading into the 2014 finals. “There is a lot of competition within the JrSRA, but at the same time, everyone is so friendly and helpful. The people will offer everything, even their own horses, for others to compete against their own kids, just to give the opportunity for one child to compete. It is just a great family organization,” said mom, Opal.
Upon getting to the finals, Carmen’s siege on the season persisted as she took first place in the junior barrels in the first two go-rounds, but ran into trouble in the third-go when her reins broke heading into first. The mishap dropped her to third in the average, but Carmen walked away as the Junior Barrel Racing champion. In addition, the youngster took second in the pole bending in the first-round, and hit a pole in the next two go-rounds, but still managed to take fourth place in the third-go, to set her fourth place in the average and was crowned the Junior Pole Bending champion. “After it was all said and done, Carmen walked away with the Junior Girl All-Around Champion title for the year, adding another all-around saddle to her collection as well as some buckles,” Opal said.
Carmen picked up the rodeo gene from her mom, who competed throughout high school in barrels, poles and goats. While dad (Chris) was never a rodeo competitor, he lends all of his support and does what he can to help Carmen with her passion. “He is a great supporter. He helps Carmen a lot in and out of the gate, along with helping take her up and down the road,“ said Opal. Opal has put her rodeo aside for the time being and is said to be the one with the video camera and screaming her support.
By the time Carmen was 2 years old, her parents were leading her through the patterns at amateur rodeos. “We took Carmen to them to get her start in rodeo and to enjoy it,” Opal said. Carmen’s progression resulted in her first year of competition with the Foothills Youth Rodeo Association, where she finished out as the 2012 All-Around Champion and produced her first trophy saddle. “About halfway through the season, Carmen got her horse “Lucky“. They started out slow at first and grew together in the competition. Although Lucky was not the fastest horse when Carmen first got her, they have certainly grown and learned with each other over time and have just clicked. Lucky has helped her accomplish all the winnings so far and has been a one of a kind horse. It is certain horses like her do not come along every day and we were truly blessed to come across her when we did,” said Opal. “Lucky is not only Carmen’s rodeo horse, she is Carmen’s best friend and will be with Carmen for the rest of her life.”
Along with overwhelming the peewee division of the JrSRA, Carmen finished as the Reserve Breakaway Champion in the S.C. Youth Rodeo Association last year. “She was very excited to have done so well in her first year breakaway roping,“ said Opal. In the three years as a competitor, Carmen has racked up four saddles and close to 30 buckles.
The third grader of York Prep Academy excels outside of the arena as well and is continuously found on the A-B honor roll and loves to read. While she has tried her hand at soccer and other clubs, horses are her true passion, but she also enjoys going hunting and fishing with her dad.
The Chester, S.C., cowgirl plans on picking up goat tying and breakaway roping again in the 2015 season to resume down the path of a quadruple-event all-around champion.
