PERFORMANCE 2 SHOWCASES TALENT FROM ACROSS THE WORLD

The 32nd edition of the International Finals Youth Rodeo is officially underway, with performance 2 in the books.

SHAWNEE, Okla. – There is no better way to kick off a Monday morning than in Shawnee, watching the future generation of rodeo compete for one of the sport’s greatest youth titles.

In barrel racing, home-state cowgirl Chazli Massey (Addington, Okla.) became the first to crack the 17-second mark with an impressive 16.869, putting her in the driver’s seat of Round 1.

Also climbing her way to the top of the round and performance was Clayann Holbrook (Cibolo, Texas) with a smooth 21.349-second run.

Gentry Merkel (Yorkville, Ill.) turned heads in the breakaway roping arena, becoming the first cowgirl to stop the clock in under 2 seconds. With a 1.9-second run, she leads the competitive pack of ropers by nearly a half second at the conclusion of the second performance.

Performance 2 saw many lead changes, including Colby Palmer (Bristow, Okla.) in calf roping with an impressive 9.5-second performance.

In saddle bronc riding, Rope Roghair (Isabel, S.D.) currently leads the performance and round with the only qualified ride at 70 points. In bareback riding, roughstock athletes continued to put up their best performance, with Triston Flinn (Hico, Texas) taking home the highest marked ride of the performance with a 72.5-point score.

South Carolina competitor Jacob Helms (Ruby, S.C.) was the quickest to get his steer down in steer wrestling with a smooth 5.2-second run.

With a re-ride set in goat tying and bull riding, the performance results have not been finalized. The rodeo action will continue with Performance 3 taking place at 7:30 p.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.

About IFYR

For over three decades, Shawnee, Okla., has welcomed thousands of the brightest youth rodeo stars to compete for one of the most prosperous and prestigious youth titles. Events include cowgirls barrel racing, cowgirls pole bending, cowgirls breakaway roping, cowgirls goat tying, team roping, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, and bareback riding. The IFYR features 11 performances, with competition beginning on Sunday, July 7 at 7:30 p.m. and concluding Friday, July 12 with the finals performance at 7:30 p.m. There will be two performances a day with all disciplines, Monday through Friday, at 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

-IFYR-