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REGION IX

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REGION V

198 Pool Road • Richards, Texas 77873 936.661.4163 • rhanagriff@gmail.com

MIKE YARGO

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PO Box 551 • New Waverly, Rexas 77358 936.581.0527 • mjyargo@yahoo.com

STUDENT OFFICERS

PRESIDENT - RILEY JO CHEATHAM VICE PRESIDENT - BOYD HANAGRIFF SECRETARY - CHASE MCBEE

198 Pool Road • Richards, Texas 77873 936.661.4163 • rhanagriff@gmail.com

SECRETARY - LACEY AUBIHL

1326 PR 5011 • Ledbetter, Texas 78946

979.251.4131 • reionixsecretary@gmail.com

STATE DIRECTORS / REGION OFFICERS

BRAD DYER

149 Willow Creek • Huntsville, Texas 77340 832.928.1647 • braddyer@live.com

PERFORMANCE REPORT

By TYLIE MCDONALD – Performance Reporter

Region IX is locked, loaded, and ready to roll. Some familiar faces will be returning to Abilene to compete for a chance to bring home another state title and punch their ticket to the National High School Finals Rodeo in Gillette, Wyoming.

Before planning a trip to the Texas High School Rodeo Association state

finals, the state qualifiers from all regions across the state had to compete against athletes within their region. While it is exciting to see who the top ten in an event are, it is even more thrilling to watch the champions of each region, especially the ones from Region IX.

Competitors such as Kiley Hargrave-Batten and Tyler Calhoun know what it takes to be a champion. Both of these individuals have state and national accomplishments on their resumes. When asked what their plans are for the state finals, both explained that they plan to do their very best and just let the chips fall.

Batten, Region IX’s champion pole bender, says, “My plans are not to win again, although it would be nice; I really just want to be the best rodeo athlete I can be. I want clean, safe, and hopefully fast runs.” Batten and her famous pony, Socks, have high expectations since they are the reigning state and national champions. This duo has been through ups and downs over the past seven years of being in Batten’s barn. She and her grandpa trained the 19-second pole horse that has provided Batten with so many wonderful opportunities. Batten says that as long as she reminds herself to do what she knows how to do, the pressure and stress will not get between her and her goals.

Along with Batten, Region IX’s champion tie-down roper Tyler Calhoun has a similar approach to competing at the state finals. Calhoun is the reigning reserve state champion tie-down roper. After being just a few points shy of a state championship, Calhoun is actually not out for redemption. Calhoun says, “Last year, I roped my best and did everything I could on the calves I drew. The champion (Koby Douch) just out roped me. I will go back this year with the same mindset of doing what I can on what I draw.” Calhoun gives credit to his equine partner, Wayne, and says, “He has his own personality, and we have grown together over the years. I like our TYLER CALHOUN chances as long as I continue to photo by Jennings work with him and keep him as

sharp as possible.”

Along with stellar event champions, Region IX will also bring an exceptional barrel racer to the state finals. Ansley Smith of Bedias, Texas, received the Yates Manahan Sportsmanship award at the end of Region IX’s season. Smith claims that having a positive attitude on both good and bad days is important to her. Smith explains, “I think it can be easy to get caught up in the competition and forget to have fun, which was one of my goals this senior rodeo season. In reality, we can only control so much of what happens inside of the arena but how we react to it is all our choice.” As Smith closes out her final year of youth rodeos, she is blessed to be able to do it alongside her twin brothers, Walker and Will Smith. Smith has confidence that her horse, Ruby, will make consistent runs that hopefully get her to the short-go, where she will then “see where things

go from there.” Watching Ansley Smith compete at her last state finals will, without a doubt, be bittersweet for so many. But, Smith has proved herself to be an extraordinary individual. So as her youth rodeo door comes to a close, it will be exciting to see which ones continue to be opened for her.

Best of luck to Kiley, Tyler, Ansley, and all other state qualifiers! We will see ya’ll at the Taylor County Expo Center. God Bless!

KYLIE HARGRAVE-BATTEN

photo by Jennings

WALKER & WILL SMITH

photo by Jennings

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