Rick Patrick: Greene Publishing, Inc.
Two Madison County cousins, Jarrett Briggs and Cody Davis, are making plans to head to Shawnee, Ok. for the International Finals Youth Rodeo (IFYR). The IFYR is an annual, event that brings the top young rodeo competitors from around the world together to compete in a wide variety of rodeo events. The IFYR is known as the richest youth rodeo event in the world with upwards of $250,000 in prize money up for grabs this year. This year is the 25th anniversary for the IFYR, which begins on Sunday, July 9 and continues until Friday, July 14. Events this year include barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, goat tying, team roping, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, saddle bronc riding and bareback riding. In addition to cash money, competitors also compete for valuable prizes such as belt buckles, saddles, and more.
Briggs and Davis will compete in the team roping competition at the IFYR. Team roping requires one team member to rope the head of a steer (the “header”) and the other team member to rope the feet of the steer (the “heeler”). This is all done on horseback. The event is a timed event, and the fastest time wins. Team roping is a particularly challenging event because of the teamwork needed for a successful time. “You've got five brains working at the same time,” said Davis, who is the “heeler” for the Briggs/Davis team. “You've got the two ropers and the two horses, and then there's the steer, who's trying to get away.” Briggs and Davis have been competing together for three or four years in total. Being familiar with each other is a help in a sport such as team roping. Davis said the two have good horses, which is another advantage. Often the same steers are used for different rodeos, which allows the competitors to learn tendencies of different steers. Both Davis and Briggs have been competing from September through May as part of the Southern Junior Rodeo Association. The pair won the first round of the team roping competition at the Association Finals, held in Ocala, Fl., during the last week in May. This strong finish, along with two competitors not being able to go to the IFYR, allowed Davis and Briggs to advance to the IFYR. The Association does help with some of the travel expenses to attend the IFYR. This will be the first time competing in Shawnee for Davis. Briggs has competed in the IFYR twice before.
Jarrett is the son of Andy and Tonia Briggs. Cody is the son of Rick and Lisa Davis.