The characteristics of a champion are shown in difficult moments, the last leg of a race, the final quarter of the game, and in barrel race making a winning run in the short go. Martha Josey, World Champion Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) Barrel Racer, is no stranger to overcoming obstacles.
This year marks the 56th annual Josey Rodeo Summer Schools hosting barrel racers and ropers on the Ranch in Marshall, Texas. After completing a weeklong summers school for barrel racers and calf ropers, followed by a three-day barrel racing clinic the Josey Ranch had 143 eager students headed to the ranch for their final summer school the Barrel Racing and Breakaway Roping School June 18-24.
Two days before the start of the school East Texas was hit with severe winds and thunderstorms causing major destruction throughout the area leaving over 100,000 people without power.
“Everyone was calling me asking what we were going to do,” said Martha Josey. “There were suggestions to postpone the school or move the start date back a few days, but I knew there were families that took vacations for this. We had to have the school on the original dates. So, we got to work!”
The Josey Ranch employees worked tirelessly the next two days picking up debris from fallen trees on the ranch and calling to find generators to power the Girl’s Dorm, the Josey Western Store, Announcer Stand, the Trophy Room, and Arena Lights.
On June 18th 143 students and their families traveling from a total of 17 different states arrived at the Josey Ranch to begin the Barrel Racing and Breakaway Roping School.
Students worked diligently over the week improving in the arena and the classroom. After working hard throughout the week students competed in the final day competition showing tremendous improvement.
As the barrel racers made their final runs Kendell Cochran won the barrel race with a 16.620. She was followed by Abbey Abraham winning the 2D, Olivia Sanders claiming the 3D, and Kendall Harkey to win the 4D. Full Barrel Racing Results can be found here.
The barrel race was followed by the Breakaway Ropers. Earlier in the week the ropers competed in a tournament roping for a saddle generously donated by the Davis Family and the Davis Fence Company. The Tournament Roping Champion and Saddle Winner for the week was Dalli Hall.