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Members
Meet the Member Grace Barnett
September 28, 2023
story by Kailey Pickering After pursuing a passion for English jumping for four years, Grace Barnett turned back to her love of rodeo when her jumping horse passed away from Colic. At nine years old, Grace Barnett wandered into her family’s tack room and discovered an English saddle. The saddle was her mother’s, who had learned to ride English growing up in Oklahoma from a neighbor who was an English and Dressage trainer. After years…
Read MoreMeet the Member Lola Parnell
September 1, 2023
story by Siri Stevens At the age of 10, Lola Parnell has more than 707m views on a viral video from Stockyards Championship Rodeo in August. Lola has been making quite a splash into the world of barrel racing in person and on social media – especially the latest one where she beats her mom (Lauren Howe) at Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth. The whole thing started as a simple competition to beat her mom…
Read MoreMeet the Members Jacob & Ty Rogers
May 18, 2023
story by Siri Stevens Jacob and Ty Rogers compete in the AJRA in the tie down roping. Coming from Rockwall, Texas, the two young men agree on one thing – they like their church community and AJRA rodeos. “It’s awesome,” said 14-year-old Ty. “It’s a fun atmosphere to go rope.” Ty, older brother Jacob, and mom and dad, Lucinda and Toby live in Rockwall, Texas, just east of Dallas. Jacob agrees with Ty’s assessment of…
Read MoreMeet the Member Jace James
March 1, 2023
story by Lindsay Humphrey At just 11 years old, Jace James has his sights set on redemption at the upcoming AJRA finals. He finished as the reserve all-around cowboy last year and the Bulverde, Texas, roper is determined to take the top spot this year. He’s currently leading both the rookie all-around and overall all-around race for his region in the Texas Junior High School Rodeo Association. He’s sitting second in the AJRA all-around standings.…
Read MoreMeet the Member Spring Pennington
January 19, 2023
story by Lindsay Humphrey Pistol was the horse that taught Spring Pennington to ride and he very likely built the foundation that her confidence stands on today. He was an old team roping horse from her dad – Shawn – who took care of the eager young girl when she was literally and figuratively cutting her teeth on the barrel pattern. “My parents were a little worried that he would be too much for me,…
Read MoreMeet the Member Savannah Wilson
September 23, 2022
story by Lindsay Humphrey “Not a lot of people know that I have a step-dad,” said 17-year-old Savannah Wilson from Midland, Texas. “He came into my life when I was 2 years old and raised me up. I definitely wouldn’t be rodeoing if it wasn’t for him.” At first, Savannah wasn’t interested in rodeo. Basketball at school was more her speed at the time. “I got my first horse when I was 10 and he…
Read MoreMeet the Member Blake Weekley
July 21, 2022
story by Lindsey Fancher Despite the two compression fractures in 11-year-old cowgirl Blake Weekley’s back, the incoming sixth grader from Boerne, TX still manages to bring home the buckles. The cause of Blake’s fractures is relatively unknown, although the hunch is that they developed over time from either getting bucked off at rodeo practice or getting bucked off her trampoline. Her mom, Andrea, owns the Agave Wellness yoga studio in Boerne. It is because of…
Read MoreMeet the Member Fernando Morales
April 25, 2022
story by Lindsay Humphrey Hailing from Eagle Pass, Texas, Fernando Morales might still be considered a rookie in the game of bull riding but he’s certainly making a splash in the sport quickly. He was introduced to bull riding by his dad, Rickey, who showed him some videos of his time squared up on the bull rope. “That really inspired and motivated me to give it a try and hopefully keep it going in my…
Read MoreMeet the Member Katti Waters
February 24, 2022
story by Siri Stevens Katti Waters assumed the position as secretary of the AJRA the end of January; she was in the right place at the right time. Both of her daughters, Alli, 13, and Acey, 11, compete in the association. Along with her role as secretary, Katti and her husband, Klay, produce goat tying, calf ropig, and breakaway ropings as qualifiers for Mike Johnson’s Vegs Tuffest, as well as Junior Patriot. As if that’s…
Read MoreMeet the Member: Cooper Meador
November 1, 2021
Story by Laramie Dearing Son of Chris and Katy Meador, meet our next up and coming cowboy, Cooper Meador! This ranch hand is 17 years old and currently resides atop the Edwards Plateau in El Dorado, Texas. “You don’t lose if you get knocked down, you lose if you stay down.” Cooper prides himself in his resilience and will to succeed both in and out of the arena.“I am a part of the American Junior…
Read MoreMeet the Member Lane Reed
September 23, 2021
story by Laramie Dearing A cowboy who is exceedingly active on both sides of the arena, allow me the honor of introducing you to Lane Reed. Highly skilled in riding both horses and bulls, Lane is a member of the unique group of cowboys who can throw a hat in the ring in both rough stock and timed events. Lane is 17 years old. He calls Clint, Texas his home. “The associations I compete in…
Read MoreMeet the Member Madison Bean
July 22, 2021
story by Laramie Dearing You have met her when she was blossoming but allow me to reintroduce the ambitious Madison Bean of Clint, Texas! Daughter of Jim and Lindsey Bean, this west Texas cowgirl is now 18 years old. “Since the eight and under I have been competing in barrel racing and pole bending. When I turned nine I decided to start breakaway roping and I have competed in all three events since. Currently I…
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