Tyrone junior Mariah Simondale’s love and devotion to barrel racing will take her to Texas this week, the heart of rodeo country.

Mariah leaves Tyrone today for Marshall, Texas where she will compete in the 35th annual Josey Junior World Rodeo Barrel Racing Championships.  She will be one of 600 racers from across the country competing for over $150,000 in cash and prizes.

In order to get this far, Simondale had to qualify and go to clinics. “[At clinics] you learn how to be a better barrel racer.  It taught me how to counter-arc, which is where you shape your horse’s rear to the outside with pushing the shoulder in,” explained Simondale.

Simondale has been competing in barrel racing since she was seven. “In 2015, I was Miss Pennsylvania Rodeo Queen. I also won the 2015 Josey Barrel Racing Champion,” said Simondale. She is currently ranked third in Pennsylvania High School Rodeo Association (PHSRA) Barrel Racing.

At the Josey Worlds the top 20 riders and horses from each division on each day will advance to the Big Tex Shootout Finals on Sunday. Each person only gets one run. “If I knock over a barrel then I won’t qualify,” says Simondale.

Mariah has many supporters and people in the rodeo world who inspire her. “Fallon Taylor is my favorite barrel racer, but I also look up to Serrie Cervie and Sarah Rose McDonald,” says Simondale. “My trainer, my parents, and my pap push me to live out my dream.”

According to Simondale, the key to success it practice and muscle memory, for both her and her horse.

“I try to keep everything the same since my horse has a specific routine. This upcoming weekend I have a rodeo in Shartlesville, then I leave for Marshall, Texas on Tuesday [May 3]. I’m hoping to bring back the national title,” said Simondale.

Cammarata, Todd F