Tylie Norcutt, a graduating senior at Oasis Academy, has forgone high school rodeo this year to blaze her trail to bigger and better things. And what a trail it is.
After ten days in Ft. Worth at the Celebration of Champions, the National Reined Cow Horse Association World’s Greatest Horseman competition last week, 17-year-old Tylie walked away with a most prestigious award, the World’s Greatest Youth Horseman.
For those unfamiliar with the reined cow horse world, it is a Western riding competition that tests the horse and rider’s combined ability when working cattle. Competitors are judged on accuracy, timing, and responsiveness, generally, the pair endeavor to demonstrate advanced horseman skills while maneuvering together easily and gracefully.
Tylie showed off her talent in four events: roping (steer stopping), fence work, herd work, and reining. Her events partner is a 10-year-old reining cow horse called Kenny, more formally known as Soulas Hickory Star. According to Tylie, Kenny became part of the family eight years ago when he began his training with expert horseman Darrel Norcutt, more informally known as Dad. Tylie took the reins and began competing with Kenny less than two years ago, a match made in reining cow horse heaven.
Although confident in all areas she competed in, Tylie confessed the roping event was the most challenging. “I shouldn’t have been nervous, but I was a little. Probably because it was the first event I was in.” This was her first time at the Celebration of Champions and her first major event since last fall. Nervous or not, Tylie excelled in the arena.
All the while, “She never stopped smiling and kept the best attitude,” said Mom Cari Norcutt. Tylie will test her and Kenny’s skills again at the Stallion Stakes in Las Vegas next month, and if Ft. Worth is any indicator, competitors beware. Dynamite comes in small packages.
Comment
Comments