#Thsra region x plus

'It comes down to a couple of points, as far as the four people who go to nationals. The bullseye is very small - the size of a dime - and the target is 50 yards away. 'You have to train yourself to breathe right to get the most accurate shot. 'It's a lot about precision and accuracy,' she said. While her other events have changed, light rifle has been locked in for Katy since she picked it up in eighth grade.

I wanted to branch out and try something new.' I like the horsemanship aspect of these two events.

'Plus, you have to adjust to the different cows.

You have to adjust to the judges, because you can't expect to do the same run every time and get the same score. 'Cutting is more about the horse, while reined cowhorse is about you and the horse working together. Cutting is fun and very competitive, but without the speed and adrenaline of reined cowhorse. I don't compete in that as often as I do cutting.

#Thsra region x plus

'It takes a lot of horsemanship, plus it's interesting and this is the first year it was a national event. 'That's considered the hardest cowhorse event, because you have to train your horse to work cows and do a reining pattern,' Katy said. Katy used to compete in speed-based events like barrel racing and pole bending, but after dislocating her elbow in 2014 while competing in goat tying, she made some event changes to pick up reined cowhorse and cutting. High school nationals is the biggest rodeo in the country, so it's quite an experience.' 'The last two years I went, it was three girls and a boy. 'This year, we're taking an all-girl (4) rifle team to nationals,' Katy said. The high school rodeo season extends all the way from September to July if a competitor advances to nationals. Now, I compete in Region 10, and it's a good region. 'I used to compete in Region 3, and it's known as the hardest region in Texas. We definitely have the potential to win nationals every year. If you make it on the national team from Texas, you are well respected. 'The Texas state rodeo is very competitive, because they take the top 10 from each of the 10 regions to the state finals. 'The first time I went to state, it was pretty cool, and I'm definitely excited every time,' Katy said. Not only are most states represented, but there are competitors from Canada and Australia, as well. The National High School Rodeo Finals are July 12-18 in Rock Springs, Wyo. She has also advanced to nationals in light rifle for three-straight years. This year, she advanced in reined cowhorse, cutting and light rifle. In year two, she advanced for light rifle. The first time Katy went to the state rodeo, it was for pole bending and light rifle. I have four performance horses at the moment that I'm working for shows, and a colt I'm in the process of getting ready to show.' 'If I really get behind on sleep or studying, I'll cut back on my time with my horses. I try to get as much done as I can during school. after school), and I work with them until about 9:30 (p.m.) Then I do my homework, or I get up early to do it before school.

'I practice every day, unless I'm at a competition,' she said. Katy practices so much that it's hard to figure out how she keeps her energy up. Quite a few kids have asked me about it, and I say 'give it a try.'' 'I'd be willing to help others get to letter in rodeo. 'It would take a lot of effort for someone else to do this, but if I encouraged them to go for it, that would be an honor,' she said. If Katy influences others to pursue a rodeo letter in the future, it's something she would really value.