A pint-sized pro

She may be just a child, but when you put Raylee Jo Young in a rodeo arena, the second grader has a way of performing like a pro. As talented as she is though, some of her favorite things about the sport deal with the friends she has made, the atmosphere of the arena and the support her family and friends have shown her.
At only seven years old, the Sacred Heart Elementary student has already earned a multitude of rodeo awards which include the 2016 Little Wrangler All Around Champion, first in Barrel Racing, first in Flag Racing, first in Stake Racing, second in Pole Bending and fourth in Goat Ribbon Pull for the 2016 SSRC Rodeo Season.
Although the final results from the Louisiana Little Britches Rodeo Season have not been released because they still have a few rodeo’s left, Raylee Jo’s current ranking has already qualified the youngster to compete in her biggest arena yet at Nationals in Oklahoma for the first time in her young rodeo career.
The magnitude of what Raylee Jo will experience in July at Nationals, is something she says she “can’t wait for.”
Raylee Jo said, “I’m going to a big big rodeo, and that is going to be very exciting.”
Her accomplishments thus far in her career according to her mother have been earned through hard work and dedication, which has become one of the things that makes her parents most proud.
Raylee Jo’s mother Leah said, “One thing we are so proud of is how hard Raylee Jo works. She is outside everyday with her horses. There is a lot of behind the scenes work that people don’t see, and she does it all. It just really is amazing.”
For Raylee Jo though, all the work she puts in after school isn’t just for the chance to be considered the best in rodeoing.
Even more so than the awards, what Raylee Jo has enjoyed most about rodeoing has been the “rodeo buddies” she has made, hearing her name called in the arena and having her school supporting her.
Raylee Jo said, “My favorite part about rodeoing is when you are getting ready to run and they call your name. When I hear mine my heart starts racing. It’s really exciting.”
When it comes to her “rodeo buddies,” the girl who was first introduced to the sport by her older brother Ryley said, “Me and my rodeo buddies have become like a family. We all compete against each other, and then cheer each other on too.”
Something that Raylee Jo has also enjoyed since she started competing in rodeos has been the constant support her school - who has spotlighted her accomplishments in their newsletter - shows her.
Raylee Jo said, “At school they announce what I win over the intercom. When they do that it makes me feel proud and really special.”
According to her mother, knowing that her daughter enjoys every aspect of rodeoing - inside the arena and out - is what means the most to Leah when it comes to her daughter’s career.
Leah said, “As a mother, it gives me great pride knowing my child is out there doing something she really loves even if she doesn’t win. That’s what makes us so proud.”