STAR HE'S A S

Tylie Norcutt made her debut at the World’s Greatest Youth Horseman and won the championship title with her experienced gelding, Soulas Hickory Star.

BY ABIGAIL BOATWRIGHT | PHOTOS BY PRIMO MORALES

Under bright lights and in front of an electric crowd, Tylie Norcutt and Soulas Hickory Star completed a near-textbook run and took home top honors at the 2023 World’s Greatest Youth Horseman, presented by MARS Equestrian™, at the Kalpowar Quarter Horses Celebration of Champions. Completing the competition with a 729 composite score, the 17-year-old from Fallon, Nevada, and her 2013 bay gelding, “Kenny” (Soula Jule Star x Turn Liz Loose x Doc’s Hickory), took home $5,060 in cash and prizes.

Tylie started riding Kenny last year. Bred by Ken and Ramona Wold, he was previously ridden by Tylie’s sister, Ali Norcutt, before she went to college. Although this was Tylie’s first time to compete at the World’s Greatest Youth Horseman, Ali and Kenny had competed in the fence-only Finals portion of the Youth event twice before, so the gelding was familiar with his job.

Tylie’s dad, cow horse trainer Darrel Norcutt, owns Kenny, and helped the pair prepare for the competition. Her goal was to move through the events as smoothly as possible.

“I was really just trying to make a good, solid, run and I wasn’t trying to be fancy or anything,” Tylie said. “I was just doing what I knew I could. I love going fast down the fence—it’s really exciting.”

Going into the steer stopping—the first phase of the four-event competition—Tylie was apprehensive, even though she’s an accomplished roper.

Tylie Norcutt is an experienced roper, but she had a case of nerves prior to the steer stopping. Aboard Soulas Hickory Star, she nevertheless tied for first place in the event with a 148 on the road to winning the World’s Greatest Youth Horseman Finals.

TOP 9 WORLD’S GREATEST YOUTH HORSEMAN, PRESENTED BY MARS EQUESTRIAN™

(Rider/ Horse/Pedigree/Owner/Composite Score/Money)

1. Tylie Norcutt; Soulas Hickory Star; 13G (Soula Jule Star x Turn Liz Loose x Doc’s Hickory); Darrel Northcutt; 729; $5,060.

2. Tatum Olson; Sweet Like That; 13G (Sweet Lil Pepto x Olenas Jazzy Tachita x CD Olena); Jamie or Mica Olson; 717.5; $3,960.

3. William Jones; Chex Out Tuff; 15G (Woody Be Tuff x Chex Out My Hiney x High Brow Cat); Lane Jones; 712.5; $3,300.

4. Quincy Probst; TRR Lucky Playgun; 09G (Pepcid x TRR MS Lucky Gun x Playgun); Redgie Probst; 709.5; $2,420.

5. Henry Birdwell; Billies Blaze; 15G (High Brow Cat x Billies Smart Lena x Smart Little Lena Pitchfork Cattle Operations LLC; 694.5; $1,950.

6. Collin Kaplan; Moonstruck One Time; 13G (One Time Pepto x Moonstruck Cat x High Brow Cat Allan Kaplan; 688.5; $1,760.

7. Tyree Swales; Stylish Image; 16M (Stylish Rey Gay x PGS Image x Rated PG); John Swales; 687.5; $1,540.

8. Broc Schwartskopf; Raise A Smart Cat; 12G (WR This Cats Smart x Raise The Best x MR Sun O Lena); Wagonhound Land & Livestock LLC; 579.5; $1,100.

9. Sierra Telford; Survivors Kiss; 10G (CD Survivor x Kiss My Shiny Lips x Shining Spark); Jake A Telford; 568.5; $880.

“I was really nervous for the steer stopping, which is weird because it’s probably one of my better events, and roping is the event I’ve been doing for the longest,” Tylie said. “After that, I calmed down a lot. I was just going to show my horse.”

Kenny and Tylie’s 148 in the steer stopping tied for first place with Henry Birdwell and Billies Blaze. Next, the pair scored a 143 in the rein work, followed by a 145.5 down the fence. The Youth competitors wrapped up the preliminary competition with the herd work, where the pair scored a 144.5 and placed sixth.

“The rein work was pretty good—not as good as I was hoping,” Tylie said. “We had a couple of mistakes, but he still got through it really well. Cow work was really good. I was really happy with it.”

Out of 35 riders, only nine advanced to the fence-only Finals, including Tylie, who was leading with a composite score of 581. The fence Final was held on Saturday, February 18, during the sold-

Out

Western Bloodstock

/ High Brow

Cat / Hashtags World’s Greatest Horseman in the Will Rogers Coliseum. It was a big stage for the Youth competitors.

In the final cow work, Tylie and Kenny had a stellar performance, scoring a 148 to win the event and clinch the title with a composite score of 729. When the whistle blew at the end of her cow work, Tylie was all smiles.

“I am just really excited—I was not expecting this!” Tylie said.

The bay gelding has incredible work ethic, Darrel Norcutt said. He gives his all every time she rides him, and never tries to cheat.

“He just really tries really hard,” Tylie said. “Everything he does is just to help you, and he can be a little sensitive sometimes, just because he’s trying to help you so much and wants to do whatever you’re trying to tell him to do.”

Reserve Champion

Tatum Olson and Sweet Like That secured the reserve title in the World’s Greatest Youth Horseman event, presented by MARS Equestrian™, with a composite score of 717.5, winning $3,960.

Meet Mars Equestrian

MARS Equestrian™ is dedicated to equine sports and building a legacy of horsemen. That’s why MARS, sponsored by Mars, Incorporated, is the presenting sponsor of the World’s Greatest Youth Horseman. Nine competitors advanced to the cow work finals after competing in events throughout the week.

MARS Equestrian has sponsored worldclass competitions across all equestrian disciplines, as well as shown dedication to sustainability, with the goal of improving the lives of horses, pets and the people who love them. Learn more about the event’s sponsor at marsequestrian.com, on Instagram @marsequestrian, and on Facebook, search “MARS.”

Robbie Schroeder Memorial Saddle Recipient

Tylie Norcutt, riding Soulas Hickory Star, and Henry Birdwell, aboard Billies Blaze (High Brow Cat x Billies Smart Lena x Smart Little Lena), tied for the high score in the World’s Greatest Youth Horseman steer stopping event with a 148. They both were awarded the Robbie Schroeder Memorial Saddle, honoring the late horseman Robbie Schroeder, who passed away in December of 2020. The Memorial generously donated an additional custom Jeff Smith saddle so that both winners could receive the saddle in Schroeder’s memory.

Roy Edsall Award Recipient

The Roy Edsall Award is bestowed on a World’s Greatest Youth Horseman, presented by MARS Equestrian™, competitor who demonstrates admirable sportsmanship, horsemanship and respect for his or her equine partner. In 2023, Dee Weaver, riding TJ Dual Mate (TR Dual Rey x Animate x Smart Mate), was given the $5,000 scholarship, a bridle and splint boots from Classic Equine, a custom bit from Randy Paul, a pair of romal reins made by Jan Boogaerts, and more.