story by Lindsay Humphrey
Quite literally born into rodeo, Brinklee Blanton arrived during her dad’s final college rodeo. “My mom (Kelsie) was already at the hospital, so she called my dad (Luke) and he had to miss his last tie-down calf,” said the 13-year-old from Lamont, Oklahoma. “I started rodeoing at Cherokee Playdays when I was 4 and have been riding horses since before I could even walk.” Back then, Brinklee was running barrels and poles as well as tying goats. She’s since transitioned to only roping events: breakaway, ribbons and team roping. “This past year I switched to roping because my horses just weren’t working out for me, and I wanted to do events where I had to work at it more than the horses if we wanted to be good.”
Perhaps Brinklee bit off more than expected with that statement. She has her work cut out for her in the breakaway roping with 10-year-old Ryder. “He’s a challenge to ride and rope on because he’s pretty green. But he’s fast and real cowy. He bucks sometimes, but that’s what’s fun about him.” Brinklee firmly believes Ryder has already been an asset for her as an athlete. He makes an already tough event even harder, but he’s also making Brinklee better in every way possible. “I have to move him up and over to keep him in position when we’re running down a calf. At the same time, I’m trying to be sharp and focused with my rope.” It’s probably the cowgirl in her that makes Brinklee smile at this type of challenge.
Her family raises both cattle and horses on their 100-acre ranch near Lamont. It’s the type of operation where everyone lends a helping hand and Brinklee loves that about it. “It’s fun when a cow gets away and I get to go chase them down. I like it when we get to rope and drag calves too. But the best part is spending time with my family while we’re working on the ranch and making a living together.” Also included in that family is Brinklee’s siblings – Bristen, 10, and 6-year-old Krese. Both are following in their sister’s footsteps as rodeo athletes just as Brinklee is doing like her parents and grandparents did before her. “Rodeo has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My dad’s whole family was into rodeo and he still team ropes and steer trips some.”
It hasn’t been an easy fall for Brinklee who’s in her first and last year with the OKJHSRA. Her heeler – Dylan Lewis – got hurt early on and so Brinklee’s been drawing for partners. The unpredictability is a good test of her abilities, but she’s ready to have Dylan back for the spring season. “I wanted to try something new this year, so I joined the OKJHSRA. I like all the competition of course, but I’ve also met a ton of new people and made some friends too.” Before joining the OKJHSRA, Brinklee was mainly competing in the Forever 7s Rodeo Association. This past summer she also did the NWOJRAs. “This winter I’m also doing the Young Guns up in Kansas and after doing junior high rodeo this year, I know I want do the OHSRA next year.”
Brinklee’s been an exceptional runner for Kaxton Kolb in the ribbons this past fall. Perhaps that’s because she’s an avid runner for the Deer Creek Lamont Junior High School. “My cross-country team won third in the junior high all star this year, which is essentially our state. I also play basketball, softball and run track at school. I like being part of a team and doing things with other people. I’m a real social person that way.”
