For a couple of Kansas families this year’s International Finals Youth Rodeo marks their sixth trip here, and a couple of other Kansans say while it’s their initial IFYR, it’s probably the first of many.
Keith and Linda Bartley, from Emporia, and Buck and Suzanne Watts, of Ottawa, said this is their sixth IFYR. They, along with Mitch Bryant, of Hope, Tad Larson, White City and Brenda Gehrt, Manhattan, said “all the people here are nice and so accommodating.”
Keith Bartley said “this rodeo is well organized, especially to have that many kids here, and run three arenas at the same time.”
For Gehrt, this is her initial trip to the IFYR, but she said “this is probably the first of many.” Larson indicated the same, and Bryant said this year is the third time for him.
The Bartleys’ daughter Angela is entered in three events this week: pole bending, breakaway and goat tying. Their older daughter, Michelle, won the pole bending championship here in 2004.
Each of the adults echoed Keith Barley’s sentiments, too. “This is a good rodeo, and the kids can win a lot of money.”
While contestants can win prizes at the National High School Finals Rodeo, they also can take home money in addition to the belt buckles and saddles.
Another point they all made, and agreed on, was the IFYR has moved its final performance to Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. IFYR officials made the decision to hold the finals here on Saturday, in order to better accommodate those contestants who qualify for the finals who might also be headed to the NHSFR.
Kristin Watts has been to the IFYR six times because of two older sisters competing here. This is the third year for her to compete and she is entered in the breakaway competition.
Gerht’s son Tee is in the tie down calf roping.
Chelsea Bryant is entered in pole bending and breakaway roping. She said it’s the third time for her to compete at the IFYR.
Though she hasn’t won any money in previous years, she said she is hopeful this year. Another friend of theirs, Dani Bagshaw, of Chanute, Kan., said she is here for the second time. She will compete in the barrel racing, pole bending and breakaway roping.
Larson’s son Ty is in the calf roping.
Linda Bartley pointed to another plus for coming and participating in the IFYR. She said when her old daughter claimed the pole bending title five years ago, that “Cruel Girl sent her jeans and shirts and outfitted her all year long.” The year her daughter won it, she said, she had to fly to Gillette, Wyo., in order to make the deadline to participate in the NHSFR that year.
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For a couple of Kansas families this year’s International Finals Youth Rodeo marks their sixth trip here, and a couple of other Kansans say while it’s their initial IFYR, it’s probably the first of many.
Keith and Linda Bartley, from Emporia, and Buck and Suzanne Watts, of Ottawa, said this is their sixth IFYR. They, along with Mitch Bryant, of Hope, Tad Larson, White City and Brenda Gehrt, Manhattan, said “all the people here are nice and so accommodating.”
Keith Bartley said “this rodeo is well organized, especially to have that many kids here, and run three arenas at the same time.”
For Gehrt, this is her initial trip to the IFYR, but she said “this is probably the first of many.” Larson indicated the same, and Bryant said this year is the third time for him.
The Bartleys’ daughter Angela is entered in three events this week: pole bending, breakaway and goat tying. Their older daughter, Michelle, won the pole bending championship here in 2004.
Each of the adults echoed Keith Barley’s sentiments, too. “This is a good rodeo, and the kids can win a lot of money.”
While contestants can win prizes at the National High School Finals Rodeo, they also can take home money in addition to the belt buckles and saddles.
Another point they all made, and agreed on, was the IFYR has moved its final performance to Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. IFYR officials made the decision to hold the finals here on Saturday, in order to better accommodate those contestants who qualify for the finals who might also be headed to the NHSFR.
Kristin Watts has been to the IFYR six times because of two older sisters competing here. This is the third year for her to compete and she is entered in the breakaway competition.
Gerht’s son Tee is in the tie down calf roping.
Chelsea Bryant is entered in pole bending and breakaway roping. She said it’s the third time for her to compete at the IFYR.
Though she hasn’t won any money in previous years, she said she is hopeful this year. Another friend of theirs, Dani Bagshaw, of Chanute, Kan., said she is here for the second time. She will compete in the barrel racing, pole bending and breakaway roping.
Larson’s son Ty is in the calf roping.
Linda Bartley pointed to another plus for coming and participating in the IFYR. She said when her old daughter claimed the pole bending title five years ago, that “Cruel Girl sent her jeans and shirts and outfitted her all year long.” The year her daughter won it, she said, she had to fly to Gillette, Wyo., in order to make the deadline to participate in the NHSFR that year.
