SPECIAL TO THE REPORTER
Harper Bright, 7, of Horton will be one of over 1,300 entries from 31 different states and three provinces in Canada competing Dec. 4-10 at the Mike and Sherrylynn Johnson Vegas Tuffest Jr. World Championship, which is held the first weekend of the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.
“We held 50 qualifiers across the United States and Canada to give our rodeo youth an equal chance to make it to Vegas and the opportunity to win their share of $1.75 million plus in cash and prizes,” said Sherrylynn Johnson, the event’s organizer and four-time qualifier for the National Finals Rodeo.
The event offers barrel racing (including a 7-and-under specialty event), double mugging, goat tying, breakaway roping, tie down roping and team roping.
“We have different age groups — 19-and-under, 15-and-under, 12-and-under and 10-and-under,” Johnson said. “Each Vegas Tuffest Jr. World Champion will take home $10 to $40,000 in cash. We’re the highest stakes payout in five events in youth rodeo history.”
Fans can view the event’s live webcast at Johnsonsportline.com.
The daughter of Adam and Hanna Bright, Harper will be taking two horses to the Vegas Tuffest Jr. World Championship.
Justa Dilly (Dilly) is a grey horse out of the stud Judge Cash. Harper got Dilly last November and has earned over $20,000 on Dilly this year.
The other horse she is taking is Redneck Royalty (Queenie). Queenie is a sorrel horse out of the stud Redneck Jet. Harper got Queenie in June this year and has earned a little over $2,000 on her since.
Harper competed in the National Little Britches Finals in Guthrie, Oklahoma, this summer and was awarded the world reserve barrel champion. She brought home eight belt buckles and two pendant necklaces for this event.
Harper was also a NBHA Youth World Finalist in Perry, Georgia, and a Breeder’s Challenge Finalist in the youth, open and derby. She has competed and won many local shows, and she currently has won over 30 belt buckles and a saddle.
“Riding horses is something from your heart,” Harper said. “Horses know what you need and what you are feeling at every single moment.”
Her future goal is to compete in the National Finals Rodeo and be the NFR Barrel World Champion. She gives “all the glory to God” and thanks Him daily for making horses.
Harper would like to thank her sponsors for helping make her dreams come true — Steve Bright Excavating, Bright Ranch, Bill Hancock Motors, C.A. Langford Company, Southern Pipe, Phantom Rider Equine and Lotus Loft.
