TEXAS is TOUGH

By DIXIE TABB – Performance Reporter

Each region is coming to their final rodeo before state finals.

DR. TANDY FREEMAN

Region IV is very proud of the Jr. High contestants that will be advancing to Gonzales for the Texas Junior High State Finals. Year after year we have watched Texas dominate at Nationals. It all starts right here with Jr. High division. We have kids that can tie a calf in 8 seconds, ride for 90, can run 19 second pole runs, rope in 1.9’s, and tie goats in in a low 6. When we say Texas is tough this is what we mean. Kids joining TJHRA understand the level of competition, so they work hard daily to rise to the top. Region IV is always proud to send some fierce competitors to state every year. Among the group this year are 8th grade siblings, Copper Stevens and Wylie Jo Hodges of Bloomburg, TX. Who are the reigning Region IV All Around champions.

Unlike most rodeo kids who literally grew up on the back of a horse. Copper started riding a horse in January of 2020 and didn’t start competing until May that year. He has quickly made up for lost time winning 4 saddles in his young career. In

TJHRA Region IV, he competes in 6 events; Tie Down, Ribbon Roping, Chute Dogging, Breakaway and Team Roping. Alongside, winning the All Around title, he won the Boys Goat Tying and Tie Down titles. He also finished reserve champion ribbon roper, 4th in the chute dogging, and 4th place header. Out of all the events, Tie Down and Heeling are his favorites because they get his adrenaline running and, “are just fun and exciting” quoted Copper. His future plans are to make it to the NFR one day, he’d also like to train and sell horses. He looks up to Kincade Henry and Ty Hairris, “because they are both really good and don’t mind helping someone else learn” stated Copper. Vegas, his Tie Down horse, was raised and trained by his grandparents at Hodges Farms. He says that, “Vegas is his favorite horse because she's fun and consistent and he helped train her.”

Coppers sister Wylie Jo Hodges, is not a stranger to the game, competing since she was 5 years old and winning 9 saddles. At Region IV she competes in 6 events; Barrels, Poles, Breakaway, Ribbon Roping, Goat Tying and Team Roping. Out of all of those she most enjoys Barrels and Breakaway. Wylie Jo advanced to

State Finals in all of her events. She stats, “her future plans are to qualify for the American in barrels and breakaway roping.” She plans to pro rodeo while still following her calling to mission trips. One of Wylie Jo’s biggest accomplishments was winning 3rd at the Run for Roses High Stakes race. “Winning the All around saddle at Region IV was a huge goal of mine”,stated Wylie Jo. Her rodeo idols are Jana Brown and Hope Thompson. Jules “DH Jess Stellar”, raised by her grandparents at Hodges Farms, trained by Jana Brown and ridden by Hailey Kinsel, is her heart horse. “Jules likes rolling in the dirt after she runs and LOVES rice crispy treats”, she said. Copper and Wylie Jo along with older brother, Howard Green, younger siblings Dooley and Texi spend at least 4-5 hours everyday in the practice pen. While watching the Junior High State competition be on the lookout for these two and the rest of the Region IV contestants. The competition has been exciting to watch this year in the Jr. High division. Good luck to all the state finalists.

Fearless Region IV, “COME AND TAKE IT”, Gonzales style.