Two local cowgirls will make their second trip to Las Vegas this December to compete in the KK Run for Vegas/Jr. NFR Barrel Race.
Sisters Taylor Shurden, 11, and Reagan Shurden, 10, of Winona, daughters of Jim and Sheri Shurden, will compete against 145 other riders in the prestigious event, which is in conjunction with the National Finals Rodeo, the sport’s grand finale, held December 11-15.
“This is a culmination of a lot of hard work by these kids, and they have all earned the right to compete in Las Vegas,” Kelly Kaminski, the event’s organizer and two-time world champion barrel racer in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association, said in a release.
Taylor qualified for the competition by finishing first in the Junior Division (11 and under) in points accrued from shows throughout the year. Reagan qualified third in points in the same division.
The two have raced in shows in nine states – Arizona, Nebraska, Tennessee, Iowa, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Both were consistent in their finishes, and accrued the points to finish in the top 10 nationwide.
“I finished fourth or fifth every time,” Taylor said. “One time, I got beat by one-one thousandth of a second.”
Competitors come to the KK Run for Vegas event from across the country as well as Mexico and Australia. Each competitor will run the cloverleaf pattern twice, and the top 20 girls with the fastest averages will advance to the championship round.
“Each of these kids will be competing for over $130,000 in cash and prices and earn a qualifying spot in the American Semifinals next February in Fort Worth,” said Kaminski, a five-time NFR qualifier who also was a two-time reserve champion.
Last year, Reagan earned her way to Vegas by finishing in the top five barrel racers aged 11 years or younger in the country based on winning times.
Taylor picked up a wild card spot from points collected by rides throughout the year.
In Las Vegas last December, both girls finished in the Top 20, with Reagan finishing 15th and Taylor Shurden finishing 19th in time averaged from three rides.
The successful finishes were just part of the fun of being in Las Vegas. The girls were interviewed twice as competitors, with one of those interviews aired on Rodeo Recess, a program focused on rodeo athletes, and they were able to meet some of their favorite rodeo stars.
As the 2018 show season started, both girls worked hard to earn a second invitation to the KK Run for Vegas event.
Working with trainers Ashley and Quay Eaves of QE Barrel Horses of Louisville as well as others, the girls worked to improve their skill through the season.
“I learned some tricks on how to not get [the horses] not to hit the barrels,” Reagan said. “I learned how to control them better.”
Taylor said she learned that perfecting her skills takes time and patience.
“Not everything is about winning,” Taylor said. “It’s about fun.”
Competitive barrel racing is a commitment for the entire Shurden family. In addition to traveling to their trainers, one to two days a week depending on the weather, the girls ride at home three or four days a week. They also help cleans stalls and care for their horses.
Even with their hectic competition schedule, both girls maintain A averages, take dance lessons, and participate in Winona Elementary School’s archery program.
However, for the Shurdens, barrel racing isn’t just a fun pastime. Both hope to participate in the sport professionally as adults.
Mom Sheri Shurden said the girls were excited about their second trip to Las Vegas. She said that Taylor will wear the number one and Reagan the number three.
“For a parent, that is a big deal because they will walk out first [during competitor introductions], and we will get to actually see them on the stage,” Sheri Shurden said.
Taylor was even interviewed recently for a national magazine, which was very exciting for the family.
“They’ve had a lot of fun,” Sheri Shurden said.
The girls thanked their family and friends for supporting them throughout the year, as well as their trainers.
“Thanks to Emme and Tyler Patterson, Ashley and Quay Eaves, Susanna Hill, our family and friends, and our mom and dad,” Taylor said.
