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Oklahoma Junior High School Rodeo Association (OJHSRA)
Phone: 405-642-8924
Email: mashsell@aol.com
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Members
Meet the Member Carson New
May 19, 2022
story by Lindsay Humphrey Like most little boys, Carson New wanted to slide his hand into a bull rope. His mom – Jennifer – decided that wasn’t going to fly. “My dad (Kelly) rodeoed when he was younger, so he slowly got me into it with breakaway and team roping,” said the 14-year-old from Fletcher, Oklahoma. “When I decided I didn’t like those events I was 11 and I quit rodeo for about a year.”…
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Meet the Member McKynlie Bowers
April 25, 2022
story by Lindsay Humphrey Developing her horsemanship since the age of 2, McKynlie Bowers got into barrel racing by way of rodeo queen pageants. “My mom (Falisha) was a rodeo queen and she told me about pageants. I did one and I fell in love with that,” said the 13-year-old from Woodward, Oklahoma. “My mom helped me prepare for the 2020 Miss Rodeo Oklahoma Princess pageant. I got to repeat my year because we didn’t…
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Meet the Member Kaxton Kolb
March 17, 2022
story by Lindsay Humphrey Thirteen-year-old Kaxton Kolb has never been afraid to put a young horse through the paces. This is evident in the ages of his current rodeo mounts and his extensive experience with young colts, big and small. “I started helping my dad (Tyson) with the 2-year-olds when I was probably 7,” said the seventh grader from Cherokee, Oklahoma. “Dad would get them going and I’d use them all summer checking pastures on…
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Meet the Member Gracie Snyder
February 24, 2022
story by Lindsay Humphrey Hailing from Hendrix, Oklahoma, Gracie Snyder is a force to be reckoned with in the OKJHSRA. This seventh grader hit the spring season leading the ribbon roping with her partner, Briar White. She’s also leading the goat tying, sitting second in the pole bending and holding comfortable positions in the top ten in both barrel racing and breakaway roping. The 13-year-old is simply following up her rookie season with an even…
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Meet the Member Lainey Tarwater
January 13, 2022
story by Lindsay Humphrey Riding skills and the competitive spirit of a working cowboy were cultivated in Osage county for Lainey Tarwater by her great grandfather, Carl Taylor. “Great grandpa Taylor was a foreman of a ranch in Osage county and so my dad (“Dubber”) basically grew up on that ranch. And that’s how my dad learned how to ride and do everything he knows on a horse,” said the 14-year-old from Barnsdall, Oklahoma. “Then…
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Meet the Member: Paislee Bray
November 1, 2021
Story by Lindsay Humphrey When 13-year-old Paislee Bray jumps in the truck for a rodeo, she’s accompanied by more than just her dad, Rance Bray. All three of their dogs hop in the cab for the weekend as well. And loaded up in the trailer is Paislee’s trusty stead, 15-year-old Bailey. “My dad got him when he was a baby and he’s about 15 now. My dad taught him to rope, and I trained him…
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Meet the Member Merrick Moyer
September 23, 2021
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,…
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Meet the Member Keaton Kellum
May 20, 2021
story by Lindsay Humphrey Keaton Kellum is attacking his final OKJHSRA season with a fiery passion. This Antlers, Oklahoma, cowboy wasn’t named rookie of the year in 2020 for nothing. Keaton has the work ethic and mindset for success. “I’ve had to learn how to overcome my bad runs and my bad days and to just go on to the next one while keeping my head up,” said the 14-year-old. “My biggest competition out there…
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Meet the Member Sage McLain
April 22, 2021
story by Lindsay Humphrey Fourteen-year-old Sage McLain first got her kicks in the junior ranch rodeo arena. Growing up on a ranch in Welch, Oklahoma, made it an easy choice to start competing. Both her mom, Tara, and step-dad, Kyle compete in the WRCA on a regular basis. “I always thought it was cool that they did that. When they first asked me if I wanted to give it a try, I was nervous but…
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Meet the Member Will Mayfield
February 25, 2021
story by Lindsay Humphrey “If it doesn’t involve a horse, a rope or a cow, I’m really not interested in it to be honest,” said Will Mayfield from the northern Oklahoma town of Barnsdall. Born into a ranching family, roping, riding and working on the family operation is a part of the 14-year-olds genome. His calf and team roping skills inside the arena are built on the same foundation from which the events were created.…
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Meet the Member Hazlee McKenzie
January 28, 2021
story by Lindsay Humphrey Her rodeo career began on the back of a miniature pony named Trigger, but Hazlee McKenzie quickly graduated from the leadline classes. She stepped up to another pony, Shortround, a few years later. “Both my parents (Jason and Tera) rope, so I’ve ridden horses since I was really little. I used to ride Trigger all the time. But Shortround was pretty competitive in all the junior rodeo events,” said the 13-year-old.…
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Meet the Member Kennadee Bickerstaff
November 19, 2020
story by Lindsay Humphrey Soccer is a great way to stay in shape for rodeo for Kennadee Bickerstaff. In fact, it lends itself to preparing her for the ribbon roping. Paired with Chism Kuykendall for her last year of OKJHSRA competition, Kennadee enjoys being the runner in the team event. “My other partner moved up to high school this year, so now Chism ropes for me and we’re doing pretty well together in it,” said…
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