“Sport of Failure”: Defying Injury Odds, Washington’s Teen Rodeo Icon Stuns the World With Bold Plans

The Junior World National Finals Rodeo will take place in December. The world’s largest youth rodeo event attracts young talents from the country and abroad. This is the opportunity for the young prodigies to compete at the highest level and gain experience. Winning a title at such a prestigious event is an achievement in a rodeo career.

A young talent from Ellensburg, Washington, will try to achieve that glory in Las Vegas this year. Ava Both is set to appear at the Junior World National Finals after qualifying for it for the second time. She achieved the qualifying result in barrel racing after riding another horse at the event. The young rodeo is optimistic about her chances this year.

Rodeo Cowgirl Eye Glory at Junior World NFR

According to Big Country News Connection, Ava Both scored 15.7 seconds at the Moses Lake rodeo event in barrel racing to qualify for the Junior World National Finals Rodeo. Before this event, her horse got injured and was sidelined. She then got Tag, a fifteen-year-old barrel horse from a family friend, Justina Fisher. At Moses Lake rodeo she rode Tag in barrel racing. Ava has gratitude for the horse and thinks it would not be possible for her to qualify if not for the equine. Eva is humble about her achievement, as she said, “I didn’t think I was going to qualify“. Ava’s mother, Kendra Both, is happy that her daughter and Tag clicked well at the event. She has known the horse since he was two and praises him for being the best horse for the barrel race.

Ava started barrel racing at the age of three or four. Over the 14 years, she has progressed steadily to the next level. Ava remembers, “Until I was 10, I didn’t get my own horse“. Now, she has ten horses, of which she competes on five. Ava has participated in the Washington State High School Rodeo Association, the National Barrel Horse Association, and two other events. She undergoes a lot of hard work and time management for her passion. After completing her homework, she goes to training. In November and December, it gets even busier as she plays basketball too. So she reaches home at 7 and goes to train at the neighbor’s indoor arena till 9. But, Ava describes the game as, “a sport of failure.” Therefore, as the family prepares to travel to Vegas, Ava puts faith in her mother, who is the pillar of her support.

Ava flourishes with mother’s support

Ava Both, before going to Vegas, has been participating in high school rodeo events with her horse Tag. According to her mother Kendra, this will help her bond better with the horse and prepare it for the finals. Kendra, a barrel racer herself, left the arena a few years back to help her kid in her pursuit of the game. She thinks “Perseverance is kinda her motto“. Kendra is happy that she is the mentor for her daughter and views that they are a good team. Ava, on the other hand, appreciates her mother’s efforts saying, “It’s been a lot of blood, sweat, and tears“. Kendra has been the biggest supporter of her daughter and Ava will be banking on it as she eyes for Las Vegas.

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The story of Ava Both is an inspiration for young kids who are willing to pursue their dreams. Ava’s determination and hard work are commendable, balancing her studies with passion. With her second qualification to the Junior finals, she seems to be ready for the challenge with Tag.

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