Runyon and Shelley headed to rodeo in Oklahoma

Derek Runyon

Silver City's Derek Runyon and Cliff's Holt Shelley are going to participate in the International Youth Finals Rodeo July 5-10 in Shawnee, Okla. This is the 23rd annual event and it's one of the richest youth rodeo's in the world with more than $200,000 in prize money and championship saddles and buckles. Runyon will see action in calf roping and team roping, while Shelley will be Runyon's partner in the team roping competition. "I'm always excited to rodeo," Runyon said. Shelley has been Runyon's partner for quite some time and having the right frame of mind is something that he has been working on. "I've been practicing a lot and roping a lot of steers trying to get ready for this," Shelley said. "Getting mentally prepared is something I have also been doing and trying to get everything in order and be ready." This is Shelley's first trip to Oklahoma, and he's ready to get in the mix with the more than 1,000 cowboys that will be seeing action. Contestants at the IFYR will compete in 10 events that will run simultaneously in three arenas throughout the week. Events include barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, goat tying, team roping, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, and bareback riding. There are two long go-rounds and a short go-round. All contestants will compete in the long go rounds, with only the top 15 competing in the short go round. Last year the IYFR had more than 1,000 contestants and represented 32 states as well as Brazil, Canada, and Australia...more