“Riding for 8 Years”: 14 Year Old Arkansas Rodeo Prodigy Dominates National Championships

Published 10/08/2023, 3:05 PM EDT

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The rodeo world sparkles when a young talent breaks into its ranks. Displaying tremendous skill with a promising future, a fourteen-year-old rodeo prodigy is making her name in the rodeo arena with her award-winning performances. She won many awards, owing to which she was called to take part in the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo National Finals.

It was a chance that couldn’t be missed. The Sylvan Hills Junior High School freshman displayed a furious performance and dominated the competition. For a teenage cowgirl who started at an early age, this is a huge achievement. If you haven’t guessed already, it’s Paris Wilburd and she dreams of competing at the same level as her idols in the coming years.

Rodeo prodigy’s incredible story

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According to KATV, Paris Wilburd competed at the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo National Finals last month, in Washington D.C. She marked her name at the event after winning five buckles, two saddles, and the most prestigious year-end all-around national champion in the women’s category. Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo is held to honor black cowboys and cowgirls in the game. Her incredible achievement in Washington got her an invitational call to the All-Star Rodeo Competition in Colorado. Wilburd started riding at the age of six. She remembers that one day during vacation she just went in for a trial and fell in love with the horses.

 

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It was an amazing and exciting experience for her. Wilburd proudly states that “I have been riding for eight years now“. When Wilburd got her new horse, F. L. Baby Blue Bugs, she started competing in various competitions. She is so passionate about her game that she practices early in the morning before school and sometimes heads straight to the competition after concluding her day at school. Speaking on her new call-up she said, “I am going to be running against some girls from the NFR and it is going to be a good competition“. She feels excited about the upcoming event, acknowledging that it will be very competitive.

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Paris Wilburd counts on the people that have her back!

Paris Wilburd, the young African-American rodeo prodigy, appreciates and praises the support she got from the local community. She acknowledges that not everyone has the pleasure of enjoying the support of the community. They have been a pillar of strength for her, supporting her in her lows and highs. She is proud of her Black Cowgirl heritage and feels honored to represent her vibrant culture.

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This continuous support motivated her to keep going and delivering her best at every event. In Colorado, Wilburd shall compete in Barrel racing and steer undecorating categories. She has mentioned that she looks up to a lot of girls that are older than her that do barrel racing in the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The story of the young rodeo talent is amazing and after her star performance at the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo National Finals, she is more motivated than ever to take on upcoming challenges.

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Written by:

Saiful Khan

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Saiful is an American Sports writer at Essentially Sports who specializes in Rodeo and equestrian. His passion for sports extends to the field of equestrianism and is fascinated by the speed of horses as he is by the wrath of bull riding. Being an avid sports enthusiast, Saiful is a big admirer of the mastery of British equestrian Charlotte Dujardin.
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Edited by:

Shifa Jahan