PERFORMANCE 1 KICKS OFF 32ND INTERNATIONAL FINALS YOUTH RODEO IN SHAWNEE

SHAWNEE, Okla. – On the evening of July 7, 2024, the tight-knit community of Shawnee welcomed over 800 families from across the world to compete under the bright Oklahoma skies as the 32nd edition of the International Finals Youth Rodeo (IFYR) kicked off. 

All-around cowgirl Amy Ohrt (Victoria, Texas) took the lead in goat tying with a 7.6-second run. The 19-year-old cowgirl looks to continue her winning ways with a strong start to her final trip to Shawnee.

In barrel racing, Kansas cowgirl Merrin Frost (Baldwin, Kan.) took the early lead with an impressive 17.023-second run, narrowly securing the lead over home-state cowgirl Maci Ferrari (Chandler, Okla.).

Lone Star State cowgirl Tana Trosper (Ponder, Texas) concluded the Day 1 action in the driver’s seat of the pole bending race with a quick 21.547-second run.

Turning heads in the breakaway roping was home-state cowgirl Blue Hall (Okmulgee, Okla.), who stopped the clock in a speedy 2.3 seconds, setting the pace for the competitive pack of ropers.

A smooth run turned into a successful trip to the pay window for Kansas cowboy Pax Vogel (Matfield Green, Kan.) in calf roping, leading the field after the first performance with an 11.2-second run.

Grand Canyon State steer wrestler Rawley Arbarllo (Whittmann, Ariz.) kicked off the event with a head-turning 4.5-second run, leading the pack by a whole second.

While the saddle bronc horses got the best of the athletes tonight, the race remains wide open with a scoreless round. This was not the case in bareback riding, with Jaxson Thurmond (El Dorado, Ark.) setting the pace with a 76-point score.

Concluding the performance was Clay Guiton (Cherryville, N.C.), who left bull riding fans on the edge of their seats with an impressive 86-point ride.

The rodeo action will continue with Performance 2 taking place at 9 a.m. at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center and will continue through the evening of July 12. A full list of results can be found HERE.