The WRANGLER Horse and Rodeo News is an equine and rodeo publication with circulation in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, Utah and Idaho.
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Clingman Clingman mcKenna cLingman of Laramie, WY is Your neW 2024 cnfr nationaL chamPion goat tYer. The College National Finals Rodeo, The College National Finals Rodeo, June 9-15 in Casper, Wyoming featured the world's best collegiate rodeo athletes from across the country. 45 of the saltiest goat tyers created an intense field of competition, but it was Wyoming cowgirl McKenna Clingman, who represented Colorado-Mesa University, that took home the top spot. Clingman tied 4 goats in 26 seconds, securing her first national title. Clingman is no stranger to the CNFR, in fact this was her fourth qualification and the third school she's represented in Casper. She formerly qualified for Colorado Northwestern Community College, Idaho State, and for the past two years has rodeoed for Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Colorado. the Process Goat tying has not always been easy for McKenna. What makes this national championship victory such a phenomenal story, is the story behind it. "The process of getting to where I'm at has been a really, really long one," laughed McKenna, "Its come with a lot of ups and downs and backs and forth, but I wouldn't change it for the world." Prior to college, McKenna didn't have any major accolades to her name. "In high school, I wasn't very successful." She stated, "I got to college, and I was tired of losing. So, I did my research and really started working on my physical fitness and my mental game, and that really catapulted me forward." "I just kept my nose the grindstone and kept pushing forward no matter if I was winning or losing. I always have thought that I always could get better and better and better. And finally, it paid off." it TaKes a ViLLage McKenna credits her family and friends for supporting her throughout this entire process. Jordan Thurston Miller, of Moorcroft, Wyoming, has been a mentor to McKenna from 2009 on. Jordan is a former two-time national champion in the goat tying, where she competed for Gillette College. "I think she was the first clinic I ever went to," reflected Clingman, "I was nine. Ever since then, I've always looked up to her." Thurston's presence and help over the past 15 years has helped give Clingman an idle to look up to. "She embodies everything the word champion brings. She just has such a hard or such an amazing drive and work ethic and just doesn't give up. No matter what life throws her way, she's like, All right, we're going to get through it. She just finds a way." said Clingman. For Clingman, Jordan helped her develop her skills not only physically, but mentally as well. "She really has helped my attitude towards rodeo and my attitude towards life. She taught me how to win, not just in the arena, but in life and what mindset it takes and determination it takes to get where I wanted to get." Explained Clingman. McKenna's parents, Brad and Beth Clingman, have also been essential to Clingman's success. "They are some of the toughest people I know. They have been through thick and thin and always, always, always have such a positive attitude towards life and are always just smiling and laughing and make lighting in the darkest situations," expressed Clingman, "I will always admire them for that and have always just been able to stick it through no matter how hard life gets." snoozY The story of McKenna & Snoozy, her goat horse, in another unique part to this story. "As a two-year-old, he was given to us by Anna Dunlavy. My sister and I were a little too young to take for a two- year-old. So, we sold him." Reflected Clingman, "Ten years later, we bought him back, and then I turned him into my By Raegen DeLancey McKenna & Snoozy at a college rodeo. Photo Credit: Casey MeGehee Claims Claims Title Title