Rodeo youths vie for the big leagues
Young rodeo enthusiasts find fun and reward in CTYRA action

The lore of the cowboy continues as the next generation follows in the footsteps of those that came before. One young bull rider watches the competition at the CTYRA's rodeo at the Wildfire Ranch in Salado. -Staff photo by Briskin

January 17, 2002 -- Kids can be amazing. For proof, just spend an evening at one of the Central Texas Youth Rodeo Association's (CTYRA) rodeos.

The CTYRA was started 11 years ago for kids in Central Texas so they would not have to travel so far to rodeo. Debbie Smith, CTYRA secretary, explained that now kids from as far away as New Mexico and Louisiana are members and compete in the rodeos. "We've grown to where we have a little over 400 members," she said.

Competitors are divided up into five categories by age group; 6 and under,7-9, 10-12, 13-16, and 17-20. "We have had kids as young as three compete and as long as they haven't had their 21st birthday by our cutoff deadline they are eligible," explained Smith.

The kids compete in 17 events including bareback, pony bareback, pole bending, calf riding, and cloverleaf barrels. "Each rodeo is jackpotted," said Smith. "The contestants pay an entry fee and a portion of that fee is paid back to the top scores or times in each event."

According to Smith, members and non-members are invited to compete in any of the 14 rodeos held during the year. To compete in the Finals members must have competed in at least five of the 14 rodeos. "In the Finals the winner of each event gets a saddle certificate which they can redeem for a custom-made saddle or for cash," explained Smith. "Second through sixth place get a buckle."

The CTYRA has proven to be a good training ground for a career in rodeo. "Cash Myers rodeoed with us," said Smith, "and we have quite a few kids whose parents are in the PRCA."

Each year the Association grants two college scholarships. "One is a memorial scholarship in honor of CTYRA member Justin Ferrell who passed away a couple years ago," said Smith. "And then this year CTYRA is taking one dollar from each entry fee and will give it back as a scholarship." Currently the scholarship committee is meeting to develop guidelines for this award.

Chandler Baggerly, 10, of Teague has been competing for five years and said that the CTYRA is a wonderful organization. "Lots of kids get to compete and it really is a lot of fun," he stated.

Smith's husband David has been the president of CTYRA for the past five years. "We have about 12-14 people on our board of directors each year," explained David. "Everyone on our board works at the rodeo and they really make the Association possible."

According to David the CTYRA benefits the kids in countless ways. "All the parents are really involved with the kids which in the long run is a really great thing. We try to provide a place where the kids can rodeo in the Central Texas area and basically just keep them off the streets and out of trouble!"

Throughout the years David has enjoyed watching the kids develop into cowboys and cowgirls. "We have kids that started in the six-and-under category back when I started out with this association," he said. "Now they are teenagers. I remember when some of these kids could barely ride and now they are tough competitors."

The results of the CTYRA's rodeo in Salado, Jan. 11-12, will be posted in next week's edition of Country World. The next rodeo is scheduled for Jan. 25-26, in Cleburne. For more information about CTYRA, its events, and membership visit their web site at www.ctyra.com or call 254-840-4604.