It may have been Central Methodist University’s first rodeo, but it was a successful one, as barrel racer Kelsi Haller finished fourth overall in average time and third in the short round at the Viking Stampede Rodeo at Missouri Valley College.
Haller, riding her horse Ruby, put down a 14-second time in her first run during the Friday morning slack on September 20, then bested her own time with a 13.75 the following night in the short round. Haller’s run earned her 70 points for the team, giving CMU a seventh-place finish in the team’s first competition.
Alena Brach Miller also represented the Eagles in Friday’s slack, however she and her horse Dap couldn’t complete their run, resulting in a no-time.
Rodeo team coach Amanda Phipps was pleased with the team effort overall and praised Haller’s performance as “amazing.”
Phipps and the team will continue working to improve and get results throughout the fall, as the Eagles will travel across the Ozark region for competition. See the full schedule here.
In addition to the pairs of Haller and Ruby and Miller and Dap, the team includes barrel racer Abbie Perry and horse Pete, barrel racer Mackenzie Gass, and calf roper Tristan Riggs and horse Boomer.
Follow the team on Facebook at Central Methodist University Rodeo for more updates, videos, and photos.