PRESIDENT - RILEY JO CHEATHAM VICE PRESIDENT - BOYD HANAGRIFF SECRETARY - CHASE MCBEE
Summer Recap
STUDENT OFFICERS
149 Willow Creek • Huntsville, Texas 77340 832.928.1647 • braddyer@live.com
979.251.4131 • reionixsecretary@gmail.com
Region IX
STATE DIRECTORS / REGION OFFICERS BRAD DYER
MIKE YARGO
SECRETARY - LACEY AUBIHL 1326 PR 5011 • Ledbetter, Texas 78946
PO Box 551 • New Waverly, Rexas 77358 936.581.0527mjyargo!@yahoo.com
198 Pool Road • Richards, Texas 77873 936.661.4163 • rhanagriff@gmail.com
ROGER HANAGRIFF
198 Pool Road • Richards, Texas 77873 936.661.4163 • rhanagriff@gmail.com
PRESIDENT- ROGER HANAGRIFF
38
PERFORMANCE REPORT
W By TYLIE
MCDONALD – Performance Reporter
hile the summer rodeos may be coming to an end, the good news is that THSRA Region 9’s rodeos are going to be here before you know it. Mark the dates, October 16-17 at the Burleson County Saddle Club arena is where we will kick off the ‘21-‘22 rodeo season. Thrilled would be an understatement when describing the feeling of starting a new season, due to the fact that the competitors in this region are rich in talent. With that being said, let’s take a minute to brag on our Region 9 kiddos for how exceptional they did at one of the biggest summer rodeos, the National High School Finals Rodeo. Seven of our very own athletes made the long haul to Lincoln, Nebraska to compete for a national title. Comically, we were originally only sending six; I got a call a week before the finals letting me know that since I had finished 5th in the breakaway and someone drew out, that I was getting to go to the finals in the number 4 spot. I was so grateful to have the opportunity to represent Team Texas as well as Region 9 at my 3rd National Finals. I had an extremely blessed week and ended up 4th in the short go, but more importantly 4th in the world; not too
bad considering I was not even supposed to be there. However, I was not the only one to bring home some hardware. In fact, all seven of us made the short go (top 20), tie-down ropers Koby Douch and Tyler Calhoun finished 13th and 3rd, goat tyer Brooklyn Balch (NHSFR second round JAKE STARNS champion) and bareback rider Bradlee photo by Acentric Rodeo Miller both finished 10th, and we had two of our members completely demolish the competition and bring home world championships. Kiley Hargrave-Batten (THSRA State Champion) and Socks (the fastest pony in the world) lived up to their labels at the finals in the pole bending. This tiny but mighty duo won the first round, 4th in the KILEY HARGRAVE-BATTEN second round, and came into the short go in photo by Acentric Rodeo the number two spot. The pressure was on during her final run; she stayed calm, cool and collected in order to accomplish her goal. On the contrary, after her final run, there was no hiding the excitement and relief on Hargrave-Batten’s face when she realized she had just won an NHSRA world title with an outstanding time of 60.718 on three runs. Along with the pole bending championship, Jake Starns brought home the gold in the boy’s cutting. The senior team roper and cutter went out of his high school rodeo career with a bang. He and his equine partner marked a total of 436 points allowing him to finish four points ahead of second place. Along with the world title, Starns also won 5th in the first round and 1st in the second round. Without a doubt, the athletes of Region 9 contributed a generous amount of the 14,538.33 points towards the All-Around team competition. With great honor, I am happy to say that the seven kids from Region 9 had a lot to do with Team Texas winning their 6th consecutive NHSFR All-Around Team world title. Not only is this accomplishment great in itself, but this win made history and broke the record for most consecutive All-Around world titles won. Along with the All-Around title, Texas won the Girls’ and Boys’ Team world titles as well. Can you say clean sweep? Best of luck to all ten regions across the state as they begin a new season. We can’t wait to catch y’all in Abilene for the THSRA State Finals where I am expecting Region 9 to dominate once again. Safe travels and God bless.
