Kirbyville girl to compete in Finals in Gonzales with Texas Jr. High Rodeo Association

12-year-old Awstyn Regalado is a 6th grader at Kirbyville Jr. High but is already making hers a big name in rodeo.

Awstyn's mom, Heather Regalado said, "This is Awstyn's first year competing at the Texas Jr. High Rodeo Association or TJHRA. During the regional finals, the group competed in 11 rodeos from August 2023 to February 2024. After finals, the top 10 riders from the region will compete at the Texas State Jr. High Finals in Gonzales from May 24 to June 1. Here they will compete against the top 10 from the other 9 regions in the state."

Regalado added that they are competing for a chance to represent Texas at the National level in Iowa this year.

Awstyn is the Region V (5) Barrel Racing Champion after she accumulated 82 points in the 11 rodeos. There she placed 3rd in Pole Bending with only 5 points separating the top 3 girls.

Awstyn will be going to State in both Barrel Racing and Pole Bending.

Competitors must receive permission from their school to compete in TJHRA.

Awstyn said, “I could not have gotten this far without my family supporting me, Jesus, and my boy Blaze; he is the best!”

Photos are courtesy of Rodeobum.com (photography by Phifer)