story by Lindsay Humphrey
A mere eight points came between Merrick Moyer and winning the all-around saddle at the OKJHSRA state finals this summer. She had the same kind of heartbreak at nationals in the all-around race. “In the short round, I hit two barrels and if I would’ve only hit one, I would’ve been the reserve all around. And if I had kept them all up, I would’ve won,” said the 12-year-old from Woodward, Oklahoma, about her runs at nationals. Even though Merrick had some tough luck in the barrels, she had a strong showing in the pole bending short go. Not only did Merrick come in as the she OKJHSRA state champion in poles, she also won the short round and average at nationals. And to top it all off, she ran the fastest event time at the finals in the pole bending with a smokin’ 19.667 run.
And all this was in her rookie year as a junior high competitor. Merrick also won the rookie all-around cowgirl title at nationals. “Nationals was super fun. I loved meeting everyone from all the different places. The ground was really good, and they had a good set up for everything.” Like many of her peers, the volleyball tournament was a favorite activity outside of the arena. And also like most of her fellow competitors, Merrick enjoys the speed factor of both barrels and poles. That’s why they’re her favorite events of her entire lineup. She tied goats, roped calves and ran ribbons for Kaxton Kolb last year and will do so again this year, but she’s also going to be heading for Luke Wanger this season. She’s looking forward to competing in this new event and even plans to head in some all-girl events with her friends.
Quick to credit her success to her family, Merrick knows she wouldn’t be where she’s at without their support. “My parents (Rickki and Shawn) help a lot in the practice pen, and they always make sure I’m on a safe horse. And they take me to a lot of places to compete and practice so I can get better and better.” Merrick’s 14-year-old brother, Mattox, is also instrumental in taking his sister to the next level of competition. As a team roper himself, Mattox is helping Merrick learn the team event. “Sometimes Mattox will help me exercise horses since I have so many to ride. It’s good to have him around to help out, it makes everything more of a team effort when he’s there.”
Family friends Tamra and Taylor Algrim gave Merrick the opportunity to compete on her current pole mount, Tootsie. They knew the mare needed to be used and Merrick was the perfect jockey for the quick-footed sorrel. Naturally, Tootsie is one of Merrick’s favorite mounts. Her other favorite is Lola who Merrick runs barrels on. “I like both of those mares because I use them for my favorite events. They are both really smooth and I like their style of running. And, of course, they make it a lot of fun.” Merrick shares her team roping and goat tying horse with her brother and then borrows her breakaway mount, Si, from another family friend. Just keeping everyone legged up is a tall order in itself, but add in schoolwork and event practice on top of it and it’s clear that Merrick has her hands full.
As a seventh grader, Merrick is now homeschooled through Epic Charter Schools. “We missed a lot of school last year and it was easy to get behind. We can do our schoolwork while we’re on the road now. I’m going to miss my friends at school, but I’m looking forward to the new opportunities homeschooling will open up.” When Merrick’s family does find free time in the summer, they’re usually on the lake surfing and wakeboarding. And in the winter, they’re on the ski slopes of Angel Fire or Breckenridge. Those hobbies come in between junior high and high school rodeo of course.
