MaRynn Moody and her family made two cross-country trips last year in the space of a month from their home in Delta, Utah. The 14-year-old cowgirl made her debut at the national level at the NJHFR in Lebanon, Tennessee, competing in pole bending and goat tying, and placing second in the fi rst round of goat tying. Her next trip was the 20-hour trek to Guthrie, Oklahoma, where MaRynn took home the NLBRA Junior Girl World Pole Bending Champion title. "I was pretty surprised," says MaRynn. "I knew my horse could do it all along, but it was pretty surprising." She also fi nished third in the world standings in barrel racing, seventh in goat tying, and fourth in the all-around. "It was so nicely set up, and the facility was great. The parking and stalls were great, and the dirt was awesome from how many times they raked it." MaRynn returned home with several buckles, a set of reins, a college scholarship, and a Scott Thomas saddle, which she's already put to use.

"Rodeo is just an amazing sport, and my competitors are all great. I like competing in rodeo because you get to get out more, like Nationals, and you make more friends. I've done the NLBRA since 2014. We heard from friends that it was a really good association, and we've been involved ever since. Next year I'll be in the seniors division." MaRynn started competing by the time she was 4, inspired by her dad, who rode saddle broncs, and her older sisters. "They've inspired me a lot to work hard, and they tell me to treat every rodeo like it's the practice pen. We try to practice every day. We have a little arena at home that's good enough to trot through the barrels and poles." She's often joined in the practice pen by her parents, Brad and Shannon Moody, and sisters Teisha and Josey. Josey is college rodeoing in the Rocky Mountain Region for Dixie State University.

Gunner, the horse who carried MaRynn to her world pole bending title, also ran poles with Josey when she high school rodeoed for Utah. "He just makes it easy and makes it fun," says MaRynn. "My barrel and goat horse is Nelly. She's 7, and she can also do poles, but Gunner is more consistent. She's Gunner's full sister—my family trained them. We have dogs and we have goats for goat tying, and we usually take my dog Kaya to rodeos. She's a German Shepherd and she rides with me in the back seat."

It's a 15-minute drive to Delta Middle School, where MaRynn is fi nishing eighth grade this spring. "I like history, and my favorite is U.S. history. We've been studying the Civil War out of books and watching movies about it. I play basketball with the Delta Rabbits and we came out third in the state. I've been playing basketball since I was 8. I've learned to deal with my nerves in rodeo, so when I go to basketball games I can control my nerves better." MaRynn also enjoys playing piano, which she started when she was 6, and takes lessons from her grandma. If she had a day she could spend any way she chose, however, she'd go riding in the mountains with her family and their dogs. They also enjoy listening to country music together when they travel.

"I want to go to Nationals and hopefully do good there, and be a state champion in pole bending in junior high," she fi nishes. "And I plan on going back to the Little Britches fi nals."