Not Just Child’s Play: Annual kids’ event ropes in pro-style excitement

MARBLE FALLS — Several members of the Marble Falls Youth Rodeo wanted to be challenged more.

So Burnet County 
4-H Horse Club president Lane Becker, officers and sponsors decided to add breakaway calf roping and tie-down calf roping to the rodeo, which was Wednesday at the Charley Taylor Arena.

Winners of the Youth Rodeo on Wednesday include Shelby Baker (front row, left) McKenna Dove, Mason Scott, Colby Metzler, Kylee Brown, MeKalia Terry and Luke Hayden; Shelby Haynes (back row left), Jacey Smathers, Lane Becker, Tyeler Horn, Sydney Schroeder, Levi Boatright and Angelica York. The even is sponsored by the Marble Falls Rodeo Association and the Burnet County 4-H Horse Club.

Becker, his younger brother Ryan and Tyler Horn competed in the tie-down event, and were three of six athletes in the breakaway event.

"We noticed that what this (youth rodeo) really was was just a big play day, it was a glorified play day," the horse club president said. "All we really had was barrels and poles and the ribbon run and stuff and really we wanted to incorporate a little more rodeo events, and calf roping is one of the easiest ones to get that done with. So we found ourselves some calves and got her hooked up."

Only older boys competed in the two events.

Becker said for those wanting to compete in roping, he recommends they start with breakaway roping.

"It’s a little bit easier of an event," he said. "For tie down you have to have a special horse that’ll stop, hold the calf and pull them back for you. Breakaway you stop your horse, and it goes. Breakaway is one of those things to go out and do. It’s a lot of fun."

Mike Dyer, publicity director of the Marble Falls Rodeo Association, said he was happy the youth rodeo added the two events.

"Breakaway roping is a big deal," he said. "Even in the pro levels, the girls do well. I think a bunch of our kids are doing it now."

Still the favorites of pole bending, goat tying and barrel racing were in full swing for the 45 athletes. The participants represented several counties, including Hays, Travis, Williamson, Llano and Burnet.

"I like the turnout," Dyer said. "It’s about all the kids out here."

Two years ago, the 4-H Club had 20 members who served as athletes in the rodeo. Last year, 30 competed.

"When I drove up and noticed how many people were here, I thought it was some big ol’ play day; half the rodeo was here," Becker said. "So I was really glad with the turnout we had. That’s success. We’re moving up, we’re getting out and everybody’s knowing that we got this going on and they’re coming."

And some 4-H members didn’t compete at all but still were there volunteering.

Zachary Haydon helped in the arena by putting out and removing barrels, replacing flags in the flag pull event and helping gather horses, calves or a goat.

The reason he wasn’t competing was because his horse’s body was sore.

Still, the number of contestants was encouraging.

"I know we’re hoping to have the biggest group we’ve ever had before, and it’s just going to be a fun event," he said. "The kids have fun, and it’s just put on for them, so they can have fun."

The weather cooperated, Dyer noted, thanks to a breeze that lessened the heat.

"This is the coolest night we’ve had in weeks," he said.

Becker, who will serve his third year as president and will be a senior at Marble Falls High School, said while he is proud of his win in the 15-18 boys division and the buckle that came with it, that’s not what he’ll remember.

"In between events, I’m over there roping with my little brother and hanging out with friends and people who’ve been gone for the summer and gone for a year, off to college," he said. "We go out there, and we just have a good time. We wait for our event, go run our event and go back to hanging out. It’s just one of the things that’s so much fun."

Winners at the Youth Rodeo were:

n 8 & Under Girls: 1, Mekalia Terry; 2, Kylee Brown.

n 9-11 girls: 1, Angelica York; 2, McKenna Dove.

n 12-14 Girls: 1, Shelby Baker; 2, Sydney Schroeder.

n 15-18 Girls: 1, Jacey Smathers; 2, Shelby Haynes.

n 8 & Under Boys: 1, Colby Metzler; 2, Mason Scott.

n 9-11 Boys: Luke Haydon.

n 12-14 Boys: 1, Levi Boatright; 2, Tyler Horn.

n 15-18 Boys: Lane Becker.

Buckle sponsors were: Flick Chick Photography, Remax of Marble Falls, KBAY Radio, Bella Medical Spa, Price’s Custom Cabinets, Honey Dipper and H-E-B.

The halter sponsor was the Blue Bonnet Café.

jfierro@thepicayune.com