MV Cowgirls Ride At Patriot Rodeo Finals

By RYLAN SPROUL

The Progress

Two Moapa Valley cowgirls made their way to Fort Worth, Texas earlier this month, to compete in the Hooey Junior Patriot Rodeo Finals. Hannah Fulmer and Sydney Fullmer, sisters, both did quite well at this level of competition. Both girls took home monetary prizes for their hard work in the arena.

The Patriot Rodeo is a world championship event for junior rodeo competitors. Both Sydney and Hannah had to meet strict qualifications in order to compete in this rodeo. They did so by performing well at prior qualifying events. That means that they had to place in the top 15 in at least one of their events to qualify to go to the Hooey Junior Patriot.

Hannah qualified in goat tying, barrel racing, and breakaway roping which secured her a spot in the Junior Rodeo. While she was at the finals, she qualified in the pole bending event. Hannah made it to the top 10 round in goat tying. She ended up placing second in the world in this event.

Sydney competed in barrel racing, pole bending, and breakaway roping. Sydney ended up 15th in the country at this event.

Both girls came home with checks for their hard work. Hannah came home with over $10,000 in winnings and Sydney came home with over $3,000 in winnings.

This was the Final rodeo for this series. This means that the two local girls went up against 150 of the world’s best junior cowgirls and got to compete in front of a big crowd. There were competitors from all over the world. Both Sydney and Hannah did great in their individual events and put up impressive performances.

“Being able to compete against a group of competitive girls that are so much faster than you, was a challenge,” said Hannah. “You think you did a great run and then the next girl ties 10 times faster than you. So I would say the most memorable part was the competition that they have in Fort Worth.”

When asked about any advice she would give to future cowboys and cowgirls that are interested in competing in the Hooey Jr. Patriot Finals, Hannah said, “My advice would be, don’t let your bad runs discourage you. Always keep your head high no matter what, even when you are having a bad day or a bad run. One day, your glory is going to come to you whether you think so or not. You shouldn’t let those bad runs discriminate against who you are and to always keep pushing through your own goals and not someone else’s.”