Meet the Members Tyra & Tydon Tsosie
story by Julie Carter Hailing from the Steer Wrestling capitol of the Navajo Nation, Crownpoint, NM, the 17-year-old Tsosie twins, Tyra and Tydon, have made […]
story by Lindsay Humphrey
“Even when I was little, I can remember sitting at rodeos and wanting to barrel race,” said 16-year-old Ainsley Carter from Belen, New Mexico. “Basically, all of my friends are rodeo queens or involved in rodeo somehow and I go with them basically everywhere.” Ainsley’s interest in rodeo came easily but getting her foot in the door was a different story. Her first-hand experience with horses comes from those who are short in stature, but not lacking in attitude. “My dad (Russ) was on a mounted police unit, and he knew a lady (Miss Jan Gibson) with a bunch of miniature horses. He basically handed me off to her to learn all about horses.”
Formerly a saddlebronc rider, Ainsley’s stepdad, Matt, originally said no horses but evidently that changed. “Once I got into the minis, I knew that what I really wanted was to rodeo. I had to prove to my parents that I could handle the responsibility first.” Ainsley made her point and got started in barrels, poles and goats. Her favorite of three is pole bending, but it’s been a bumpy road at times. “I got my pole horse from a friend, and he was started on the heel side. He didn’t like that job, so I started him on poles. I could tell he had a lot of grit, so we started getting ready to compete.”
Without her start with Miss Jan, Ainsley is sure she wouldn’t be competing today. “She taught me so much and was and is there for me every step of the way. She gave me a whole bunch of opportunities that I wouldn’t have had without her help.” Patty Littlesoldier is another branch of Ainsley’s support system. “I bought a horse from Patty, and she’s basically taken me under her wing. I go over there and ride whenever I need to. She’s my backbone.”
Of course, Ainsley’s large family is a driving force behind her ability to rodeo almost every weekend. Both sets of parents – Russ and stepmom, Bev; and stepdad Matt and Melissa – are found on the sidelines cheering Ainsley on each weekend. And her siblings – Trevor, 21, Shay, 21, Daniel, 11, and Tegan, 6 – are there as often as they can be. “My family supports me in every way possible and they’ll do anything to help me out. I like to get into my head and they’re always there to reassure me.”
Other than her supportive family, Ainsley is fueled by competition. “I’m a very competitive person, so that’s something I like about the NMHSRA. But I also like how nice all the people are and that I can go up and talk to just about anyone and have a full conversation with a complete stranger.” One of Ainsley’s proudest moments so far came at state last summer. “I really loved going to state on a horse that I made and seeing our success and growth after all the hard work we both put in.” Her second favorite accomplishment was taking second at a pro rodeo against competition that was two or three times her age.
“I just got a new horse, so one of my goals for this season is to get her figured out. I think once I do, we can do really well together.” Ainsley is putting in the hours at home to push herself and her horses to their fullest potential. By doing this she hopes they can finish in the top ten or higher at each rodeo they compete in and possibly finish in the top ten at state finals next year. Of course, her ultimate goal is to make her inaugural trip to high school nationals before starting her senior season next fall. “Last year was my first time with the NMHSRA and I knew that I was seasoning a green horse. My goal for the year was to get my job done safely and know that I did everything well. I’m still thankful for the opportunity to even compete, but our goals have gotten a lot bigger now that it’s my second year with the association.”
story by Julie Carter Hailing from the Steer Wrestling capitol of the Navajo Nation, Crownpoint, NM, the 17-year-old Tsosie twins, Tyra and Tydon, have made […]
story by Julie Carter July 2023 and the National High School Rodeo Finals in Gillette, WY escorted Ashlynn Jones out of one phase of her […]
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Rodeo Life Magazine™ (ISSN 1934-5224) is located at P.O. Box 93598 Southlake, TX 76092. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Rodeo Life Media, P.O. Box 93598 Southlake, TX 76092
October 11, 2020
Bareback
Lumpkin Tekota 40
Saddle Bronc
Charleston Oistin 20
Reined Cow Horse
Mitchell Sterlin 75
Priest Colton 68.5
Brandon Paige 55.5
Shiver McKinzee 51
Lynch Fayth 47.5
Harwell Clate 46.5
Morris Abby 18
Boys Cutting
Mitchell Sterlin 58
Priest Colton 45
Harwell Clate 42
Mirabal Joren 15
Team Roping
Hernandez Chilly 63
Montoya Juan 63
Candelaria Faron 63
Taylor Calvin 63
Mendiaz Luis 32
Reno Weslynn 32
Johnson Dakota 29.5
Ybarra Meason 29.5
Oldfield Roan 29
Runyan Colten 29
Martinez Laramie 24
Martinez Myles 24
Wood Trent 23
Martinez Cade 22
Oder Hadlee 19
Sullivan Quincy 19
Reno Bladen 15
Abel Rylee Grace 15
Mathis Dillon 15
Harwell Clate 14
Breakaway
Segura Evann 38
Sullivan Quincy 35
McCormick Tiffanie 34.5
Marr Shaeden 32
Jodie Kadin 30
Ledesma Avery 24.5
Abel Rylee Grace 23
Shiver McKinzee 23
Massey Bailey 22
Reno Weslynn 21
Bull Riding
Juarez Marco 36.5
Griego Cade 36
Griego Caleb 28
Garley Clay 10
Wood Damien 10
Chavez Joseph 9
Huber Trenton 9
Marquez Justin 9
Taylor Peysen 7.5
Girls Cutting
Morris Abby 74
Ledesma Avery 70
Shiver McKinzee 68
Wamel Jordyn 39
Calf Roping
Pacheco Dontae 59
Wood Trent 52.5
Harwell Clate 51
Mathis Dillon 35
Mullins Hayden 31
Oder Hadlee 25
Mirabal Joren 22
Reno Bladen 20
Burton TK 19
Cline Ike 15.5
Steer Wrestling
Harwell Clate 46
Mathis Dillon 28
Griffin Samuel 27
Tsosie Tydon 18
Cline Zane 18
Henio Dorien 9
Barrels
Tidwell Hadley 63
Ledesma Avery 63
Marr Shaeden 51
Reno Weslynn 44
McNiel Payton 42.5
Abel Rylee Grace 38
Detweiler Katelyn 31
West Kylie 29
Castagnetto Mia 17
Gutierrez Maddie 12
Goat Tying
Ledesma Avery 52
Massey Bailey 52
Abel Rylee Grace 48
Larabee Natalie 47
Reed Codi 39
Tsosie Tyra 37
Shiver McKinzee 35
Marr Shaeden 34
Tidwell Hadley 33
Reno Weslynn 23
Build a Cowboy Bareback Riding
Sanchez David 10
BOYS ALL AROUND
Harwell Clate 199.5
Mitchell Sterlin 138
Priest Colton 113.5
Mathis Dillon 78
Wood Trent 75.5
Candelaria Faron 66
Hernandez Chilly 63
Montoya Juan 63
Taylor Calvin 63
Pacheco Dontae 59
GIRLS ALL AROUND
Ledesma Avery 243.5
Shiver McKinzee 200
Marr Shaeden 180
Abel Rylee Grace 168
Reno Weslynn 153
Morris Abby 101
Tidwell Hadley 96
Wamel Jordyn 88
Massey Bailey 74
Detweiler Katelyn 72
BOYS ROOKIE ALL AROUND
Lumpkin Tekota 40
Mullins Hayden 31
Cline Ike 26.5
Martinez Laramie 24
Martinez Cade 22
Tsosie Tydon 18
Dennis Walker 18
Boutwell Brock 11
Wood Damien 10
Sanchez David 10
GIRLS ROOKIE ALL AROUND
Wamel Jordyn 88
Miller Teagan 50
Jodie Kadin 40
Tsosie Tyra 37
Ybarra Riley 34
Littleton Morgan 34
Etsitty Erin 26
Castagnetto Mia 23
Offutt Addy 23
Washburn Teagan 21