Steve Ranson / LVN Photo
It will be a family affair at the High School National Finals Rodeo.
Rachel and Cord Hendrix each qualified in numerous events plus as partners in team roping, where the duo placed third, last weekend during the Nevada State High School Finals Rodeo at the Churchill County Fairgrounds.
The Hendrix’s will compete at nationals in Rock Springs, Wyo., on July 14-20.
Only a freshman, Cord Hendrix punched his ticket to nationals too.
The Fallon cowboy entered the state rodeo ranked No. 1 in bull riding, and that’s the way he left. Hendrix grabbed the state title with one solid performance after being bucked on his first two bulls.
In addition to bulls and team roping, Cord Hendrix placed third in cutting to earn a spot at nationals.
“I wanted it really bad,” he said. “It’s been my goal since the beginning of the year to win that title.”
Despite missing on the first two runs, Cord Hendrix buckled down and came away with his best ride of the weekend in his third attempt.
The bull, which bucked a senior the night before, shot out of the gate and turned right. Cord Hendrix’s scouting the previous night, though, proved to be invaluable.
The massive beast bucked harder and faster, but could not shake the Fallon freshman.
“It was definitely the toughest bull I have rode,” Cord Hendrix said. “I knew I had to make a lot of small, even moves so I didn’t throw myself off.”
Rachel Hendrix also qualified in cutting (second), barrel racing (fourth), breakaway roping (fourth) and was the Reserve All-Around cowgirl. In addition, she also qualified for the Silver State International Rodeo in pole bending (sixth) and goat tying (sixth).
“I had a really good first go, so I was excited,” Rachel Hendrix said. “I had a rough second go, so I was kind of nervous in the short go. I was happy because I ended up doing good in the short go.”
To cap her weekend, Rachel Hendrix won pole bending, cutting, team roping and placing third in breakaway roping.
“I was happy to go out with a bang,” she said.
Now, the soon-to-be cowgirl for Southern Utah University turns her attention to nationals, although she will stop in Winnemucca for SSIR from June 30 through July 6. Admittedly, though, Rachel Hendrix said her focus is on nationals, and aims for three consistent runs in each event.
She said her calendar will consist of practice, and lots of it. She said will drive up to SSIR for her events, then return to Fallon and hit the practice arena in preparation for nationals.
“Nationals is the thing I want to focus on,” Rachel Hendrix said. “It’s less nerve-racking. You want to go out there and make three aggressive runs.”