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New Mexico Junior High School Rodeo Association (NMJHSRA)
Members
Meet the Member Amy Murphy
story by Lindsay Humphrey Only a month before the NMJHSRA season kicked off for 2021, Amy Murphy tragically lost her top mount. As a result, Amy was forced to come up with a new game plan for her 7th grade season. “I used to do everything on that horse, so when I had to start a new one it was easier to only focus on one event,” the 13-year-old said of her decision to only…
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Meet the Member Kassidy Lightfoot
story by Lindsay Humphrey As an eighth grader who’s also a rookie in the NMJHSRA, Kassidy Lightfoot is setting her sights on making an appearance at nationals. “I’ve wanted to make nationals since the sixth grade even though I wasn’t competing in junior high rodeo back then,” said the 14-year-old. “I knew I wanted to have the drive I’d need to make it to nationals.” Even after the junior high season is over, Kassidy will…
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Meet the Member Chisum Harriet
story by Lindsay Humphrey Chisum Harriet’s been a member of the NMJHSRA for the last two years, but he’s never been able to compete with the association. Last year COVID ruined the season and now in 2021, Chisum found a little bit of bad luck while practicing. “I was roping with my cousin at home. I’m not really sure what happened but when I looked down, my thumb was cut off,” said the 14-year-old. “It…
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Meet the Member Treyden Gonzales
story by Lindsay Humphrey Treyden Gonzales is excited for the upcoming rodeo season for a myriad of reasons, but he’s mostly looking forward to competing in team roping in the NMJHSRA with new partner, Dax Sullivan. “We’ve been around each other since we were little bitty because our dads roped together for a long time,” said the 13-year-old from Los Lunas, New Mexico. “He’s one of my best friends and we’ve wanted to rope together…
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Meet the Member Louk Thomas
story by Lindsay Humphrey As the 2021 NMJHSRA season gets rolling, Louk Thomas will be a new face for his fellow breakaway, tie down, ribbon and team roping competitors. This 14-year-old eighth grader intended to officially kick off his rodeo career last spring, but COVID effectively put a stop to it. Despite missing out on his first season of junior high rodeo, Louk is excited for the road ahead. Of the four events Louk intends…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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