Article by Siri Stevens provided courtesy IFYR
Kenzie Cook from Barnwell, South Carolina, won the first round of the 2019 International Finals Youth Rodeo in the barrel racing. Her time of 16.408 beat the next time of 16.46.
“It was pretty nerve-racking to watch,” said the 18-year-old home schooled barrel racer. “I’ve come to the IFYR for three years now. It’s my favorite rodeo and really enjoyable. It’s structured, but in a good way. Everyone is very accommodating, and the volunteers are awesome. If you need something, someone will help you. We pulled in at 5 a.m., hungry, and there were workers on their golf cart offering us McDonald’s breakfast.”
When Cook isn’t in the arena at the IFYR, she spends her spare time with her horse, taking her out and letting her graze. She enjoys the social activities at the IFYR as well.
“It’s a golden rule to go to the dances every night at IFYR,” Cook said. “It’s also a rule to go to Sonic and Whataburger—we live in a really small town, so this is a treat.”
Cook is chasing her first International Finals Rodeo qualification, sitting sixth in the world in the International Professional Rodeo Association. Last year she missed the IFR by $200. She has put 3,500 miles on her rig in the past three weeks, hauling a horse she’s had for four years.
“She’s a small (14 hands), cow-bred horse that was started on cutting and barrels as a 3-year-old,” Cook said. “It took a while for us to get together—it was a process. This is a bigger pen than she is used to. She was at three different arenas in the past week. Everything on the East Coast is a lot smaller. IPRA teaches how to pick different pens—every place is not the same. I learn how to ride my horse more.”
INTERNATIONAL FINALS YOUTH RODEO ROUND ONE RESULTS
Results courtesy IFYR. For more information visit www.ifyr.com.
Barrel Racing: Kenzie Cook, Barnwell, SC, 16.408 $2,005.31; Avery Beimer, Farmersville TX 16.460 $1,743.75; Harley Potter, Waxahachie TX 16.506 $1,482.19; Kenlee Close, College Station TX 16.522 $1,220.63; Kysan Buckner, Brenham TX 16.531 $959.06; Jaden Whittington, Idabel OK 16.538 $697.50; Ashlyn Wright, Dayton TX 16.557 $435.94; Cashen Turner, Edmond OK 16.570 $174.38
Pole Bending: Jaden Whittington, Idabel OK 19.992 $1,353.94; Gabby Gunter, Sulphur LA 20.122 $1,120.50; Rylee Hardin, Graham TX 20.212 $887.06; Paisley Pierce, Sweeny TX 20.247 $653.63; Reagan Davis, Alto TX 20.253 $420.19; Josie Hussey, Ramer AL 20.288 $233.44
Breakaway Roping: Brighton Bauman, Okeechobee FL 1.7 $2,082.94; Aspen Miller, Santa Fe TX, Kaitlyn Ramer, Sulphur OK, Britta Strain, Davie FL split 2.1 $1,539.56 ea; Bailey Mudd, Lake Charles LA 2.2 $996.19; Rheagan Cotton, Fairfield TX 2.3 $724.50; Lauren Hicks, Kaufman TX 2.4 $452.81; Kassie Adams, Meriden KS, Mataya Eklund, Valentine NE split 2.5 $90.56 ea
Goat Tying: Heather McLaughlin, Bunnell FL 7.0 $1,285.43; Jessie Ishmael, Miami OK 7.2 $1,063.80; Kristin Reaves, Bullard TX 7.3 $842.18; Mayce Marek, Taylor TX 7.5 $620.55; Cady Fruge, Welsh LA, Emily McDeavitt, Poolville TX split 7.8 $310.28 ea
Calf Roping: Trevor Hale, Perryton TX, Chisum Allen, Menard TX split 8.6 $1,265.01 ea; Max Mathis, Ben Wheeler TX 8.7 $1,000.24; Jarvis Demery, Okmulgee OK, Kase Bacque, Port Barre LA split 8.8 $735.47 ea; Connor Atkinson, Needville TX, Chet Weitz, London TX split 8.9 $382.44 ea; Shayne Krolczyk, Cypress TX 9.0 $117.68
Steer Wrestling: Garrett Guillot, Fitzpatrick AL 3.6 $933.08; Traden Anderson, Hanna OK 3.7 $772.20; Tyler Clouse, Mabelvale AR, Wynn Schaack, Wall SD split 3.9 $530.89 ea; Winsten McGraw, Gill CO, Quade Potter, Cambridge NE split 4.0 $225.23 ea
Saddle Bronc: Timothy Troyer, Columbia KY 74.0 $693.00 ea; Jack Wright, Deridder LA, Cale Newman, Hico TX split 70.0 $433.13 ea; Parker Glenn, Edmond OK 68.5 $173.25 ea
Bareback Bronc: Hunter Ramsey, El Dorado AR 76.0 $679.50; Colt Eck, Redfield KS, Cooper Cooke, Victor ID split 71.0 $424.69 ea; Ty Pope, Garnett KS 70.0 $169.88
Bull Riding: Cole Skender, Crossett AR 79.0 $905.85; Jr Stratford, Bronaugh MO, Brylen Dees, Paola KS split 75.0 $603.90 ea; Maverick Potter, Waxahachie TX 74.0 $356.85; Trevyn Armstrong, Broken Bow OK 54.0 $274.50
Team Roping: Cayden Harmon, Lipan TX – Kaden Prince, Snyder TX 5.2 $1,446.41; Tristan Sullivan, Centerville TX – Will Farris, Madisonville TX 5.3 $1,257.75; Connor Atkinson, Needville TX – Carsyn Sunvison, McDade TX 5.4 $1,069.09; Kason Davis, Lumberton MS – Bryce Graves, Poplarville MS, Stran Morris, Woodward OK – Jessen James, Moyers OK split 5.5 $786.09 ea; Coy Rahlmann, Ellsinore MO – Cooper Freeman, Carthage MO, Garrett Dickey, Graham TX – Daryan Gonzalez, Hobbs NM, Isaac Gholson, Waurika OK – Sam Van Buskirk, Ringling OK split 5.7 $314.44 ea
