International Miniature Rodeo Association (IMRA) Archives

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International Miniature Rodeo Association (IMRA)

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Members

Meet the Member Abbey Lanier

story by Michele Toberer Currently reigning as the 2021 International Miniature Rodeo Association Reserve Champion Senior Barrel Racer, Abbey Lanier has already started setting her sights on new titles for the 2022 IMRA season. The Rocky Face, Georgia native is a 13-year-old eighth grader, attending Westside Middle School, and is venturing into the breakaway roping world this season on her newly acquired Christmas gift, Star. “Star is a 5-year-old dappled grey mare, and I’m excited…

Meet the Member: Kira Hillary

Story by Michele Toberer What a year it has been for Kira Hillary of Glen Allen, Missouri! The 14-year-old homeschooled freshman may not have a lifetime of experience in rodeo just yet, but she’s having the time of her life as she is competing in her second year with the International Miniature Rodeo Association. Kira was grateful to be a part of the inaugural group of girls getting to compete as breakaway ropers in the…

Meet the Member Payton Gafford

story by Jennie Lawrence Bouton, Iowa cowgirl Payton Gafford was in the third grade when she decided to take up bull riding. Her mom ran barrels growing up, and rode bulls in high school. Her dad also rode bulls in high school. That made Payton want to ride them too. Her parents kept telling her no. They finally decided she could try mutton busting. She rode the sheep backwards and won her first buckle. Payton…

Meet the Member Lori Dromgold

story by Jennie Lawrence Lori Dromgold is a 13-year-old barrel racer from Hartshorne, Oklahoma. She is the daughter of Will and Kathy Dromgold. Lori has been a member of the International Miniature Rodeo Association (IMRA) for three years. She is also a member of the Oklahoma Youth Rodeo Association (OYRA), and Better Barrel Races (BBR.) Lori started riding horses the day she was born. Riding and growing up on the family ranch, she started running…

Meet the Member Faith May Cotner

story by Jennie Lawrence Mounds, Oklahoma International Miniature Rodeo Association (IMRA) member Faith May Cotner is an all-around cowgirl. The 14-year-old competes in the barrels, pole bending, goat tying, breakaway roping, and ribbon roping. Her favorite event is pole bending. Faith started riding when she was nine-years-old. Her mount was a horse named Holly. “She was happy just walking and trotting a little,” Faith said. “After a while I was ready to go faster and…

Meet the Member Boe Maggie Calico

story by Jennie Lawrence Boe Maggie Calico was born ready to rodeo. She was entered in her first rodeo at the age of two in a lead line class. Just one year later she was riding in competition on her own. Born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, her family moved to Oktaha, Oklahoma eight-years ago. Boe Maggie is the daughter of Lisa and Mika John Calico. Both of her parents are employed by the Cherokee Nation. At…

Meet the Members Jake Morinec

story by Jennie Lawrence Jake Morinec, of Osseo, Michigan takes bull riding very seriously. At just 17-years-old, he says, “I prepare for rodeos by maintaining a healthy diet as best I can and working out and doing barrel work every single day, no matter how sore or tired I am.” He also gets on practice bulls at least every other week, and he keeps on working on the fundamentals. Jake is the son of Cheryl…

Meet the Member Jaycee Newby

story by Jennie Lawrence Not too many 15-year-old girls ride bareback broncs, but Jaycee Newby, of Tickfaw, Louisiana does. In fact, it is her favorite event, because it is packed with excitement and adrenaline. Jaycee was born in Jacksonville, Texas, but moved to Louisiana to live with her (step)mom Janie, and dad Jason when she was four-years-old. Janie introduced her to horses and rodeo, and Jaycee began competing when she was five-years-old. Jaycee said, “I…

Meet the Member Lane Leeper

story by Michele Toberer At 13 years old, Lane Leeper has already marked earning world champion titles off of his bucket list. The Leon, Iowa cowboy has competed in the International Miniature Rodeo Association for two years, and this past January he left the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma as the 2019 IMFR Saddle Bronc and Bareback Pony Champion. This success came just after winning the Junior Rough Stock Association World Champion title in…

Meet the Member Maddie Branum

story by Michele Toberer Maddie Branum is a 13-year-old cowgirl from Taylorville, Illinois that has competed in the International Miniature Rodeo Association for the past two years, and proudly left Guthrie Oklahoma in January 2020 as the 2019 IMRA Reserve Champion Junior Barrel Racer. She is already excited about a new season and the addition of breakaway roping to the IMRA rodeos. As a third-generation rodeo competitor, Maddie has members of her own family she…

Meet the Member Cash Corbally

story by Michele Toberer Cash Corbally is proud to be an American and proud to show his patriotism with every ride he makes in the arena. Although it may not earn him extra points with the judges, there is a beauty in every flap of his flag printed leather chaps that causes hands to clap in the crowds as he rides. As a first-generation cowboy, Cash has blazed his own trail in rodeo, but he’s…

Meet the Members Montgomery Family

story by Michele Toberer A family that rodeos together, stays together, and the road trips from Esparto, California to Oklahoma the past two years for competition at the International Miniature Rodeo Association finals, have been trips full of memories and championship buckles for the Montgomery family. Rodeo is at the forefront of activities for the family of 6, that moved to California from Montana three years ago, and they’re excited about their participation in the…