Two Record-Setting Performances During the First Days IFYR
Article and photo provided courtesy International Finals Youth Rodeo
(SHAWNEE, Okla.) − At the conclusion of the Monday evening performance, bull rider Trey Kimzey from Strong City, Oklahoma posted an International Finals Youth Rodeo arena record score of 89.5. Less than 24-hours later, fans at the Tuesday morning performance witnessed Brooklyn Gunter of Sulphur, Louisiana post a time of 19.3 seconds in pole bending, which breaks an arena record set a decade ago. Kimzey’s score of 89.5 during the Monday evening performance beats a long standing score from 2003, during which Sam Smith of Sulphur Springs, Texas posted a score of 89. Kimzey set the arena record on Scott Burris’ bull, Honeycutt.
“Honeycutt is a good bull, I was excited to draw Honeycutt,” said Kimzey. “He bucked a contestant off during the first performance, and I knew what I had. You’ve got to try your guts out and go to him.”
Gunter, who competes exclusively in pole bending, ripped an IFYR record time this morning with a time of 19.3 seconds. This time breaks a long standing, single round record set in 2006 by Lindsey Holland of Emporia, Kansas.
“Records are made to be broken here at the IFYR,” said Chris Dunlap, Assistant Director of the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center and International Finals Youth Rodeo. “These two athletes not only represent the quality of contestants who compete here in Shawnee, but also foreshadow the exiting future for the sport of rodeo.”
Brooklyn Gunter set IFYR pole bending arena record. Photo provided by IFYRBull rider Kimzey will be a senior next year attending Cheyenne High School. As a young star in the sport, his lineage runs deep. His brother, Sage, is a two-time PRCA World Champion bull rider, and sister, Dusta, is a professional trick rider and barrel racer. Kimzey plans to attend Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma and compete in bull riding.
It is no surprise Gunter also set a record this morning. She placed second in the state finals this year in her home state of Louisiana and has a litany of relatives who have, or have competed at the IFYR; 11 to be exact.
The IFYR consists of two long go-rounds and a short go. All contestants compete once in each of the long go-rounds. The top 15 averages in each event will compete Friday night in the championship round short go for fame and prizes. Events include barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, goat tying, team roping, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, saddle bronc riding and bareback riding. Events run simultaneously in three arenas throughout the week.
The International Finals Youth Rodeo, held annually since 1993, is a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization that presents top high school athletes with a professional rodeo. The internationally-recognized IFYR is held annually at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The action-packed event includes hundreds of contestants vying to win more than $200,000 in prize money, competing in 10 events running simultaneously in three arenas over six days. In 2015, more than 930 contestants and their families traveled from 32 states to participate in the IFYR. For more information, visit IFYR.com or call (405) 275-7020.
Compiled by Kailey Sullins
