TEXARKANA, Ark. -- Little Britches Youth Rodeo Competition on Saturday and Sunday made its way through the Twin Cities for the second year in a row.
According to the competition's coordinator, Toby Martin, the rodeo had approximately 55 participants who showed off skills in the events of barrel racing and pole bending.
"It's the oldest youth rodeo in the United States. It started way back before all these little side deals started popping up," Martin said.
Martin said the rodeo competition has been around for 50 years and has participants from Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri.
One of these participants is 11-year-old Molly Morris, who has been riding horses since she was 6 years old.
"We're from Natchitoches, Louisiana. It's a little over two hours," said the junior equestrian's mother, Michelle Morris. "She's only riding in pole bending today. In that event, they have to weave through a series of poles as fast as they can and then come back."
Molly has been competing for three and a half years, and Michelle said the young girl has already qualified for the national competition in pole bending, barrel racing and goat tying.
"They have to qualify in the top six and seven rides, so top six placings over seven events," Michelle said.
Michelle said Molly first wanted to try horse riding after her initial mutton busting competition.
"While we were in the stands, she saw a little boy riding a bucking horse, and she said, 'Well, I want to try that,'" Michelle said.
Molly said she finds rodeo competitions to be a fun place to go to and that she enjoys making new friends.
"I'm a little nervous, but mostly excited," Molly said.
Molly worked in partnership with her horse, Ali, to compete in the Little Britches competition. The young girl's horse sauntered up to the gate when the two were called, gearing up in anticipation for her job.
"She always gets treats after. She knows she's about to start her work and she's excited," Michelle said.
Martin said the cash prize each participant wins is based on the amount of competitors there are in each division, with the prize amount increasing with more participants.