54 • The WRANGLER • June, 2024
Determined to
Make it to Des Moines
W
yoming has a long-standing tradition of
sending talented rodeo cowboys and cowgirls
down the road. Most of these cowboys and
cowgirls get their start on the ranch, and it rolls right into
the rodeo arena.
The Junior High Division of the National High School
Rodeo Association is a place for 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th
graders to compete with the best of the best from all across
the US and Canada. This June 23-29, junior high kids will
take over the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines for an
action-packed eight days of rodeo fun, and the chance to
be crowned a national champion.
14-year-old Douglas, Wyoming native Preston Thar is one
of those kids. Preston is the son of Luke Thar & Kelle Moore.
Preston qualified for nationals in the boys goat tying, tie-
down roping, bull riding, ribbon roping with partner BriLee
Burford of Mitchell NE, and team roping with partner Ian
Mackey of Gillette WY. He is also the 2024 Boy All Around
State Champ.
Preston had some serious horse power under him. NFS
Mister Special "Shorty," a 2009 gelding Cooper Deveraux
used for college rodeo, helped Preston in the team roping,
tie-down, and ribbon roping. MJ Down Laredo "LB," a 2011
mare was purchased from Lacey Bruening, and helped
Preston qualify in the goat tying. Lacey used LB for the
breakaway roping and goat tying in college.
Preston said that keeping his head on his shoulders and
not pressuring up helped him make it in many events.
Preston's mom, Kelle, said, "Rodeo is all about the family.
We have so many to thank for helping him. Everyone is
pitching in and helping these kids succeed to the next
level."
Preston would like to thank the Bartlett's and Cameron
Castleberry for help in the rough stock events and Will
LaDuke & Chad Braun for help in the roping.
Hoyt Peil, a 6th grader from Thermopolis, Wyoming, is
By Alicia Werner
(L-R): Tye Westbrook, Preston Thar, & Oaklee Hoffman will all be representing Wyoming in Des Moines, Iowa.
Photo Credit (L-R): C Bennorth Images, Clinton Foster Photography, Outalws Paradise Photography
Wyoming Will Be Well Represented at the Junior High National Finals.
