INTERNATIONAL FINALS YOUTH RODEO Hill striving for improvement in second IFYR
Madison Hill had a simple goal when she returned to Shawnee.
Be better than last year. Hill, a barrel racer, knew she could have a quicker run than she did in the 2017 International Finals Youth Rodeo. Although Hill has competed in rodeo for only two years, she loves the competition and knows she can compete with any rider.
Along with her horse, Cash, Hill made her short trek east with the simple goal in mind. She said last year was a struggle because of her horse’s health during the event, but she knew this year was going to be intriguing.
“This year, it was pretty much just to have fun while going out there and doing a lot better,” Hill said.
The IFYR was established in 1993 and is an internationally recognized high school rodeo. It’s held annually in Shawnee and attracts the greatest high school rodeo athletes from around the world.
Hill’s journey isn’t as far as most athletes, but the ultimate goal is the same.
Exploding out of the gate, Hill, who attends Carl Albert High School, felt as if she started as well as she could. As she rounded one of the three barrels, she clipped the corner, which is a fivesecond penalty.
Her 18.9 second time was right outside of the top 10, though the penalty means Thursday’s second run will be important if she wants to qualify for the finals on Friday night.
Her cousin, Kimberly Cotter of Shawnee, is a big reason Hill got involved in rodeo. Cotter and Hill often train together.
There’s no family feuds, even when it comes to competition, but Hill said the two use each other to get better and learn.
“Kimberly has been riding longer than me, so she taught me a lot of what I know,” Hill said. “It has been great getting to learn from her and compete against her.”
Hill, 16, is a year younger than Cotter, so they’re competing against each other this week. Cotter doesn’t race until Tuesday morning, but the two each have a shot at making the finals on Friday.
There’s going to be a lot of waiting for Hill until she competes again, but she knows the off days are going to be important for her horse and herself as she vies for a coveted title.
“I need to make sure Cash stays healthy the next couple days,” Hill said.
“I have to know what I need to do to help him and just focus on my main priority here.”