IFYR Profile - Zack Crawford

Following a rodeo in New Mexico and a 16-hour drive, International Finals Youth Rodeo contestant Zack Crawford finally made it to Shawnee Saturday afternoon.
Crawford, 19, has been competing in rodeos for 10 years and said he participates in an average of two rodeos every weekend.
“I’m always busy,” Crawford said. “Sometimes I’ll take a short break during the week but I like it too much to get burnt out.”
Crawford may not have much time to hang out with friends at home in Loxley, Ala., but it wasn’t always that way. A friend of his took him to his first rodeo when he was 9 years old, and Crawford has been competing ever since.
“I always rode but I had never seen a rodeo before,” Crawford said. “I just got hooked.”
Crawford is competing in the steer wrestling and team roping events at this year’s IFYR.  He brought two horses with him, and one may be a good-luck charm.
Mr. Cool is the hazing horse, but Crawford’s mind will be on bulldogging horse Chris this week.
“He has never been to anything this big before,” Crawford said.
But after taking third place last year on another young horse, Crawford said he is not very worried about Chris’ performance this week.
“Whatever happens, happens,” Crawford said.