An 18-year-old Chandler girl believes it’s a miracle that she will be competing on the same horse again at this year’s International Finals Youth Rodeo that she rode a year ago.
Kenzie Cowden, a recent graduate of Chandler High School who is collegebound, competed on her horse Peaches in the barrel racing and pole bending at last year’s IFYR.
Kenzie remembers well what happened three days after last year’s IFYR. She went out that Monday morning to feed the four horses as she normally does around 8 or 9 a.m. “I saw the cuts on Peaches’ legs and ran inside and told my mom. We called the Meeker Animal Hospital and took her there,” she said back then.
The attack possibly was from a mountain lion.
She said it took four weeks from the time Peaches was injured until she returned to Kenzie’s barn at her house. “She wouldn’t stay in the pasture where she was injured,” Kenzie noted, saying, “She still will not. She stays in a different pasture today.
“It took about four months for her to return to full speed. She had two very bad lacerations on her front right leg and lacerations to her neck,” Kenzie added.
Kenzie truly believes, “It’s indeed a miracle that I am able to compete with her in this year’s IFYR,” she reiterated.
This will be the third and final year for Kenzie to compete in the IFYR. She will compete on Peaches in the barrel racing and pole bending. “I haven’t done very good in the past few years but hope to do better this year,” she said.
“I’m very excited for this year,” Kenzie said, in looking forward to the IFYR.
“My favorite thing is the atmosphere, what it is and how everyone is so friendly. I’ve stayed friends with those I’ve met before at the IFYR in the two previous years,” Kenzie said.
She rides Peaches everyday to keep her in shape, adding, “I compete with her about every other weekend.”
Kenzie commented she’s been competing in the Oklahoma High School Rodeo Association during the year and competed in the finals in Chickasha. “I did good in the pole bending, but not in the barrel racing,” she said.
During last fall and this spring while competing in the state rodeo association, Kenzie said her highest finish was eighth in the barrels among about 58 girls competing and fourth in pole bending where about 30 normally compete.
Later this summer, Kenzie will head off to Western State College at Altus where she will be on the rodeo team. “I will take Peaches and one other horse along with me. Peaches is nine years old.
“I will compete in barrels in college,” Kenzie concluded.