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Skylar Wright of Meeker will barrel race in her second International Finals Youth Rodeo this week in Shawnee.
She’s been around rodeo and horses since a child, she said, as her mom was involved in barrel racing and her dad in team roping.
“It’s been in the family — I’ve always been around it,” she said.
Wright, 16, is the daughter of Tom and Jody Wright. She said she did well at the IFYR last year, but hopes to be better this go round.
In addition to barrel racing, spectators will see her carrying the American flag during the grand entry, something she also did last year.
To prepare for each performance, Wright said she begins with a prayer.
She said she usually practices and rides each day, which has been a challenge recently with all of the rain. She said they’ve been trying to utilize covered barns when possible so she could keep her horse in shape.
She’s concerned the rain may have affected the arena as well.
“I hope it dries up and I draw good ground,” she said.
Her mother also has an active role at the IFYR as a timer, she said.
Because of that, Wright has been around the IFYR for years, so she’s familiar.
As a competitor, she said she’s ready to ride.
Wright will be a junior at Meeker High School, where she plays on the school’s softball team. She had been a cheerleader, but when time was scarce, she picked softball.
She hopes to rodeo in college, but overall, she plans to become a nurse.
To help her toward that goal, she’ll also attend Gordon Cooper Technology Center her junior and senior year of high school to take part of the Certified Nurse Assistant program.
Skylar Wright of Meeker will barrel race in her second International Finals Youth Rodeo this week in Shawnee.
She’s been around rodeo and horses since a child, she said, as her mom was involved in barrel racing and her dad in team roping.
“It’s been in the family — I’ve always been around it,” she said.
Wright, 16, is the daughter of Tom and Jody Wright. She said she did well at the IFYR last year, but hopes to be better this go round.
In addition to barrel racing, spectators will see her carrying the American flag during the grand entry, something she also did last year.
To prepare for each performance, Wright said she begins with a prayer.
She said she usually practices and rides each day, which has been a challenge recently with all of the rain. She said they’ve been trying to utilize covered barns when possible so she could keep her horse in shape.
She’s concerned the rain may have affected the arena as well.
“I hope it dries up and I draw good ground,” she said.
Her mother also has an active role at the IFYR as a timer, she said.
Because of that, Wright has been around the IFYR for years, so she’s familiar.
As a competitor, she said she’s ready to ride.
Wright will be a junior at Meeker High School, where she plays on the school’s softball team. She had been a cheerleader, but when time was scarce, she picked softball.
She hopes to rodeo in college, but overall, she plans to become a nurse.
To help her toward that goal, she’ll also attend Gordon Cooper Technology Center her junior and senior year of high school to take part of the Certified Nurse Assistant program.
