2022-2023 ALL AROUND & ROOKIE WINNERS Region VI

By BARRETT SHELTON – Performance Reporter

Region 6 has ended with another wonderful year at J.B. Wells arena in Gonzales, Texas. The 2022-2023 THSRA and TJHSRA came to an end on February 12, 2023. We are the earliest region in Texas to end our season, while most regions in Texas still have at least 4 rodeos left before finishing their seasons and to see their results for their state qualifiers and region champions.

This region has an exceptional number of cowboy and cowgirl athletes that shine inside and outside of the arena. We come across new athletes everyday and you can almost always pick out who the warrior is over the rest and this year the All Around and Rookie winners prove my point. The all around winners are proud to be announced; taking home the High School Rookie All Around Cowboy 2023 title is Cort Gambino. “My performance throughout the year was up and down, thankfully I have plenty of people to push me to be the best I can be inside and outside of the arena, and I couldn’t be more blessed to have them in my life. I couldn’t have done it without my horse though. My horses made every- thing possible and they gave me their 110% I nodded my head. I am truly blessed and can’t wait to see what comes in the future.” Taking home the High School All Around Cowboy 2023 title is Kyler Orht, Kyler also is one of our seniors that wanted to end his High School career with an outstanding year end performance. “I couldn’t be more thankful to win the calf roping and All Around my senior year. I couldn’t have done any of this without God, my family and my horses. I am thankful for all the people who have stood behind me to push me to be the best I can be.” The High School Rookie All Around Cowgirl and as well as the All Around Cowgirl is Natalie Orht, Natalie is one of our freshmen and wow did she put it on ‘em at region six this year taking home All Around and the rookie title. “Bringing home both the All Around and Rookie saddles has been a big goal of mine, as I am very honored to bring them both home. I remember that I couldn’t have done this without my whole support team, and for that I am very thankful.” Now for Junior High taking home the Rookie title for the girls is Jaqueline Harkins. Jaqueline is a 7th grader and her first year at region 6 and she decided she wanted to take the big title home. “I feel like I have accomplished my goals that I have set for the 2022-2023 rodeo season and have excelled in my Breakaway and Barrels. I am very thankful for my parents and grandparents for helping me with the long hours in the practice pen and putting me on the horses I needed to be on.”The All Around Junior High cowgirl title goes to Hadley Herndon, Hadley is an 8th grader and wanted to end her Junior High years with a big bang before going into high school and it sure looked like she accomplished that. “This was a great way for me to end my junior high career, and a great honor for how tough our region is.” For the Rookie Junior High Boys 2023 title goes to Jase James. Jase is a 6th grader and wanted to go out this year with some fresh leather to ride on. “I am really excited to be the Rookie All Around winner. It was one of my main goals and it was a long hard year to achieve that goal against all the tough competition in our region. I plan to work hard on my rough stock events to shoot for the All Around next year.” And lastly our Junior High All Around Cowboy is Stetson Springs. Stetson is in his 7th grade year of Junior high and he decided that he wanted the All Around so he can come back next year and take it home again before he heads into high school. “ I felt like I had a pretty good season, maybe could have done a few things differently but was happy with the outcome.”

Region 6 has 29 graduating seniors, as their high school rodeo career comes to end they are ready to take the next step in life wherever that might lead them. Our region is going to miss these seniors with all our hearts as they continue to grow and spread their abilities out past High School.

From this great region we want to thank all of the directors, volunteers, awards committee, and parents for making this a wonderful year for all the contestants at Region 6.

Oh spring! Personally, Spring is my favorite season. Spring weather, other than the pesky rain, makes for perfect rodeo weather: breezy, not too hot, not too cold. With Spring, comes Spring Break, and Easter. But nice weather and Easter eggs are not the only things spring entails. For Region VII, Spring means the end of region rodeos. It means it is time to prepare for state!

For our lovely seniors, Spring can possibly be a mentally challenging time. Those who qualified for state have the pressure of preparing for their very last state finals. Those who are going to college are making their final decisions on where they