26th Annual International Finals Youth Rodeo Awards Champions July 13
(SHAWNEE, Okla.) - The 26th annual International Finals Youth Rodeo (IFYR) came to a close July 13 at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The world’s richest youth rodeo awarded more than $250,000 in prize money, championship saddles and buckles on Friday after the finals performance.
The IFYR commenced with more than 850 registered contestants and 1,411 event entries. After two long-go’s and 10 performances, the top 15 contestants with the highest averages from each event competed in the finals on Friday, July 13 for a shot at the championships.
The 2018 International Finals Youth Rodeo Champions are:
Bareback Bronc Riding Champion Hunter Ramsey of El Dorado, Arkansas
Breakaway Roping Champion Alli Masters of Leon, Iowa
Team Roping Champions Leander Williams of Thorndale, Texas, and Whit Kitchens of Mullin, Texas
Pole Bending Champion Gabby Gunter of Sulphur, Louisiana
Steer Wrestling Champion Gavin Soileau of Bunkie, Louisiana
Saddle Bronc Champion Taylor Russell of Lipscomb, Texas
Goat Tying Champion Kaylee Cormier of Lake Charles, Louisiana
Tie Down Roping Champion John Michael Elliott of Alvin, Texas
Barrel Racing Champion Caroline Kelly of Waverly, Alabama
Bull Riding Champion Mason Taylor of Maypearl, Texas
All Around Cowgirl Cashen Turner of Edmond, Oklahoma
All Around Cowboy Quade Hiatt of Canyon, Texas
“These athletes gave it their all this week, proving they deserve these hard-earned titles,” said Chris Dunlap, Assistant Director of the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center and International Finals Youth Rodeo. “With contestants from 33 states, Australia and New Zealand, the IFYR brings together the world’s top youth rodeo competitors. We would like to congratulate our champions and thank our sponsors, contestants and volunteers who made this event possible.”
For more information on the IFYR, please call (405) 275-7020 or visit IFYR.com.
The International Finals Youth Rodeo, held annually since 1993, is a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization that presents top high school athletes with a professional rodeo. The internationally-recognized IFYR is held annually at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The action-packed event includes hundreds of contestants vying to win more than
$250,000 in prize money, competing in 10 events running simultaneously in three arenas over six days. In 2017, more than 886 contestants and their families traveled from 34 states as well as Australia and New Zealand to participate in the IFYR. For more information, visit IFYR.com or call (405) 275-7020.
Photo information: 2018 IFYR Champions left to right: Alli Masters, Gabby Gunter, Gavin Soileau, Kaylee Cormier, Mason Taylor, Quade Hiatt, Cashen Turner, Caroline Kelly, Taylor Russell, John Elliott, Whit Kitchens, Leander Williams and Hunter Ramsey.
The IFYR commenced with more than 850 registered contestants and 1,411 event entries. After two long-go’s and 10 performances, the top 15 contestants with the highest averages from each event competed in the finals on Friday, July 13 for a shot at the championships.
The 2018 International Finals Youth Rodeo Champions are:
Bareback Bronc Riding Champion Hunter Ramsey of El Dorado, Arkansas
Breakaway Roping Champion Alli Masters of Leon, Iowa
Team Roping Champions Leander Williams of Thorndale, Texas, and Whit Kitchens of Mullin, Texas
Pole Bending Champion Gabby Gunter of Sulphur, Louisiana
Steer Wrestling Champion Gavin Soileau of Bunkie, Louisiana
Saddle Bronc Champion Taylor Russell of Lipscomb, Texas
Goat Tying Champion Kaylee Cormier of Lake Charles, Louisiana
Tie Down Roping Champion John Michael Elliott of Alvin, Texas
Barrel Racing Champion Caroline Kelly of Waverly, Alabama
Bull Riding Champion Mason Taylor of Maypearl, Texas
All Around Cowgirl Cashen Turner of Edmond, Oklahoma
All Around Cowboy Quade Hiatt of Canyon, Texas
“These athletes gave it their all this week, proving they deserve these hard-earned titles,” said Chris Dunlap, Assistant Director of the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center and International Finals Youth Rodeo. “With contestants from 33 states, Australia and New Zealand, the IFYR brings together the world’s top youth rodeo competitors. We would like to congratulate our champions and thank our sponsors, contestants and volunteers who made this event possible.”
For more information on the IFYR, please call (405) 275-7020 or visit IFYR.com.
The International Finals Youth Rodeo, held annually since 1993, is a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization that presents top high school athletes with a professional rodeo. The internationally-recognized IFYR is held annually at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The action-packed event includes hundreds of contestants vying to win more than
$250,000 in prize money, competing in 10 events running simultaneously in three arenas over six days. In 2017, more than 886 contestants and their families traveled from 34 states as well as Australia and New Zealand to participate in the IFYR. For more information, visit IFYR.com or call (405) 275-7020.
Photo information: 2018 IFYR Champions left to right: Alli Masters, Gabby Gunter, Gavin Soileau, Kaylee Cormier, Mason Taylor, Quade Hiatt, Cashen Turner, Caroline Kelly, Taylor Russell, John Elliott, Whit Kitchens, Leander Williams and Hunter Ramsey.
