4 minute read
On a Whim and a Prayer
On a Whim and a Prayer
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
It was on a whim that Minburn barrel racer Ally Pocock decided to enter a qualifying event this past summer in Stettler for a chance to compete in the Vegas Tuffest Jr. World Championship.
They packed up and travelled more than 200 kilometres to compete and were not disappointed with the final results. Ally posted the best time in the 12 and under age category to earn the right to compete in the championship which will take place from Dec. 6-13 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ally is one of over 1,000 entries from 29 different states and four provinces in Canada that will be competing in the event that coincides with the National Finals Rodeo that is held there annually.
The championship is organized and hosted by Mike and Sherrylynn Johnson. Mike is considered an ironman of rodeo as he has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo 23 times. Sherrylynn has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo four times. In addition to barrel racing, there will be double mugging, goat tying, breakaway roping, tie down roping and team roping at the event.
Payouts and prizes will be up for grabs, and every Vegas Tuffest Jr. World Champion will take home between $10,000 and $30,000. Ally’s mom Carla, says it still seems “surreal” that they will be heading off to Las Vegas in a few weeks’ time.
It will be a family affair as Carla, husband Ryan, sons Brody and Reece will all be travelling there to cheer on Ally. They are looking forward to the entire experience and feel very blessed and humbled. Carla says both sets of grandparents, Bill and Elaine Pocock and Sam and Deb Barber, live in the Minburn area and are “very invested” in Ally’s success and support her any and every possible way.
Carla says Bill is the one who instilled a love of horses in Ally. He rode competitively in team roping and cattle penning events and ensured Ally had a well-trained safe horse when she first began in the sport of barrel racing. Even though it’s only been a couple of years since Ally started to compete on the high school rodeo circuit, she has grown by leaps and bounds in the sport, and even competed in some of the Lakeland Rodeo Association events this past season.
They also feel very fortunate to have the support and sponsorship from Sarah Kropinske of SVM Equine Therapy. Carla says the horses are athletes, and as much as they try to keep them in top physical shape, injuries are a fact of life. However, having the knowledge and skills of experts is invaluable.
Ally doesn’t believe she’d be where she is today if it wasn’t for Gus, the first horse she trained on. “He made it really fun and made me want to barrel race.” Carla adds, “It’s important for all rodeo horses to meet you where you’re at.”
As far as idols, Yellowhead County barrel racer Taylor Manning is Ally’s idol. Carla says Manning was crowned barrel racing champion in the Canadian Finals Rodeo in 2022. Ally also has great admiration for Rylee McKenzie and Kandi Horn, who have taught her lessons off and on over the past couple of years. Carla, who showed horses and competed in a number of different events over the years, says that having a strong network of mentors, family and friends has made a huge difference in terms of Ally’s success.
Ally’s best friend Paiten Axten is also a barrel racer. They not only share a love of horses and the sport, but they are both members of the Vegreville 4-H Beef Club. Paiten’s mom Margie explains that, “Rodeo is different than any other sport. Although you compete individually it takes a team to get down the road. We are so happy Ally is going to Vegas. She is one of the nicest kids you can meet. The first one there to cheer you on at the arena, the first one to give you a hug when things don’t go right.
There are ups and downs in rodeo. She had some downs this year, but that never kept her down. She was the first to lend a horse when my daughter needed one for high school rodeo. She is the true definition of a great competitor and she will always be welcome to jump in my trailer.”
