West Harrison teenager Kinsley McBride earned the right to compete in the National Junior High Rodeo Finals in Des Moines, Iowa

It’s hard for some people to master a skill they’re been working on their entire lives, but for West Harrison rising 8th grader Kinsley McBride, she excels in several rodeo events all at once, and it all started with a fascination with horses when she was a little girl.

“I’ve always talked about horses so my grandma took me to a lady that does lessons and it’s history from there,” said the national qualifier, Kinsley McBride.

History to say the least as McBride has had reigns in her hand since she was three years old and simply has not let go of them since. She does not just ride the horses either, but she also trains them. McBride began working with her all-around horse Houdini at the age of six years old, and she says a good relationship with your horse is one of the most important qualities as an equestrian.

“If your horses do not like you it is downhill from there. They have to trust you and you have to trust him and that’s what makes a good team,” said McBride.

Kinsley and Houdini make an incredible team, in fact they are one of the best duo’s in the entire Magnolia state. As a member of the Mississippi Junior High Rodeo Association team, McBride recently qualified for the National Junior High Finals Rodeo that will take place in Des Moines, Iowa. There she will compete in several different events like pole bend, breakaway rope, ribbon rope, and much more.

She was also surprised to qualify in the goat tie event, but it really is true that slow and steady wins the races.

“Well I qualified in an event that I am not too good at, so I have to really train and make sure my body is ready to goat tie because it is kind of challenging,” said McBride, who does not shy away from difficulty. “I do not have the best times but I am consistent with my slow times and that got me up top.”

But do not let her humbleness fill you. Her and Houdini are not slow in the slightest, but they definitely are consistent and truly regulars at the Harrison County Fairgrounds Arena.

“Well you are always out here. I am out here two to three times a week. We will go all the way up to Wiggins to rope and you are always doing something to make you better and trying to be better than where you were yesterday,” McBride said.

McBride does not just apply her hard work and determination to the dirt, either, but also to her studies and spiritual life.

School is very important to me, so I put God first and then school so I have something to fall back on if rodeo fails and I just have to work ten times harder because I am not home everyday riding horses,” McBride said. “I have to go after school and after sports.”

But at the rate she is going in, it does not look like McBride will need a fall back plan as she dreams of doing rodeos in college and one day competing in the National Rodeo Finals.

The next step towards that dream begins on June 23rd where she’ll compete for the Junior National Title at just thirteen years old.

You can watch Kinsley and her hard work pay off at Nationals, which will be televised on the Cowboy Channel!

WXXV would like to wish Kinsley and Houdini the best of luck in the National Junior High Finals Rodeo!