The American Rodeo has no age restriction — anyone of any age is eligible to qualify. One of the youngest so far this year to earn in a spot, 9-year-old Taylor Armenta.
On January 22, Armenta won the Desert Disco, a BBR-sanctioned qualifier, held in Buckeye, Arizona, punching her ticket to Fort Worth for the Semi-Finals.
Riding her brand new gelding Ocho (CJ Instant High), she turned in a fast time of 16.90, the only sub-17 second run at the qualfier.
“It was awesome. It felt so good,” she said. “When we turned the first, he was going really fast.”
On how she’s been able to be so successful at a young age, Taylor said, “My mom and dad help me everyday, ride horses and train them, and Cory Mars, she helps me a lot with coaching.” (Mars raised and trained Taylor’s horse Ocho and continues to work with the two them.)
Recently Taylor has also had the chance to ride Mary Walker’s horse Latte, and haze for her dad, steer wrestler Russell Arementa, in the practice pen. She says her goal is to someday barrel race and haze at the NFR.
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