New Mexico Junior High School Rodeo Association (NMJHSRA) Archives

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New Mexico Junior High School Rodeo Association (NMJHSRA)

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Members

Meet the Member Addison Kinser

story by Lindsay Humphrey Although Addison Kinser is a first-generation rodeo competitor, she’s no stranger to riding and roping out on the ranch with her family. Even though this 13-year-old first competed in rodeo at just 4 years old, other sports drew her away from the arena. She finally returned last fall as a seventh grader, but this time Addison was ready to give it her best shot. “I always rode on the ranch and…

Meet the Member Monte Faulkner

story by Lindsay Humphrey Just when Monte Faulkner was getting into the groove of steer saddle bronc riding, COVID-19 canceled his final season in the NMJHSRA. Both his dad, Shane, and grandpa, Skeeter, were saddle bronc riders, which is why it’s the only event that’s captured Monte’s attention. “When we found junior high rodeo, we figured that would be a good program to get into. I went to rodeos with my dad growing up and…

Meet the Member Phillip Jiron

story by Lindsay Humphrey Spending time with family and friends is just a fringe benefit of competing in rodeo for Phillip Jiron from Isleta, New Mexico. “The best part about rodeo is traveling because I get to bond with my family. My sisters (Nyah, 15, and Myranda, 11) and my parents (Phillip and Leona) all go with and sometimes my grandparents, aunts and uncles will come watch when they can,” said the 14-year-old. Fresh out…

Meet the Member Gunnar Tipton

story by Lindsay Humphrey “I was born carrying a rope.” It’s a bold statement from 14-year-old Gunnar Tipton who’s been roping calves and heels competitively since he was just 8 years old. “I have loved roping ever since I started,” said the soon-to-be high school freshman. There’s one roping memory that will stick with Gunnar for the rest of his life. “I was riding one of my uncle’s old horses at a little rodeo series…

Meet the Member Riley Ybarra

story by Lindsay Humphrey “This season has been heartbreaking; we were all looking forward to our last hoorah of our junior high years. But it happens and we can’t do anything about it, so we have just moved on and kept practicing so when we get to next year, we are ready,” said Riley Kade Ybarra. Just like the rest of rodeo nation, Riley’s entire season was canceled on account of quarantine. Unfortunately, it was…

Meet the Member Maylin Navarrette

story by Lindsay King Like many junior high rodeo competitors, Maylin Navarrette’s last year in the NMJHSRA came to a screeching halt this spring. She’s keeping her head up and putting a positive spin on the situation. “I have some young horses that I need to train and work on. Without the spring rodeo season, I had more time to get them in shape and ready for next year,” said the wise 13-year-old. Maylin, or…

Meet the Member Justin Anaya

story by Lindsay King “Rodeo is about the losing factor, you aren’t always going to win in life. You have to set goals and work hard towards those,” said Justin Anaya from Stanley, New Mexico. “Ranching is pretty much the same thing, you have to figure out what you want and how to manage your cows, what you have to spend on feed and have a good amount left so you don’t go broke.” Life…

Meet the Member Kye Saulsberry

story by Lindsay King “I wanted to learn how to rope because it was something that my dad (Todd) enjoyed and then I ended up really liking it too,” said Kye Saulsberry. Her dad was a professional tie-down roper in his younger days. He’s probably taught Kye the most about roping, riding and rodeo. The 14-year-old was only four when she started running barrels at local playdays. “I was probably eight when I started learning…

Meet the Member Ike Cline

story by Lindsay King Pietown, New Mexico: if you blink, you’ll miss it. At least that’s how Ike Cline describes his hometown. It’s the type of place where K-12 are educated in the same building and all of his classmates go out for all of the sports teams. It’s quiet, it’s western, it’s perfect for this 13-year-old. It’s also where the Ike’s family has ranched since the 1913. “I come from a long line of…

Meet the Member Braxton McKinley

story by Lindsay King Braxton McKinley grew up watching ropers from the sidelines until he decided to join in on the fun. “My whole family has roped forever and I just like that I get to follow in their footsteps. My dad (JD) used to have roping clinics at the house and I always liked watching them until I got to jump in there and I fell in love with it,” said the 13-year-old about…

Meet the Member Jorgia Nixon

story by Lindsay King Jorgia Nixon might be riding hand-me-down horses, but she’s more than just a passenger. As a six-event rodeo competitor, it takes a lot of skill to constantly switch horses. “I was born on a ranch, so I have ridden for most of my life,” said the 12-year-old. Forever referring to the past nine years. At six years old Jorgia began her rodeo career in the barrels and poles at play days…

Meet the Member Rylee Strickland

story by Lindsay King Thirteen-year-old Rylee Strickland is a six-event athlete in rodeo. This Artesia, New Mexico, cowgirl even has one horse for each event: heading, breakaway roping, ribbon roping, barrels, poles and goat tying. It’s difficult balancing school and rodeo, but Rylee wouldn’t trade it for the world. She gets a lot of help from her parents, Jody and Jessica, as well as her 12-year-old brother, Hayden. “My dad was a team roper, so…