TORRINGTON – Marilyn Monroe once said “Give a girl the right pair of boots and she can conquer the world.”

She probably wasn’t talking about cowboy boots, but the quote fits none the less for a couple of Goshen County cowgirls that recently qualified for the National Junior High Finals Rodeo (NJHFR).

Hattie Haeffelin and Blake Cushman will be making the trek to Des Moines, Iowa for the seven-day event which begins June 22 and runs through the 28. 

The National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA) held its first sanctioned rodeo in 1949. A junior high school division wasn’t officially added until 2004 as an opportunity to expand the reach of the organization. 

The first NHSRA National Finals Rodeo saw 121 participants. Today over 10,500 students participate in both the NHSRA and its junior high division with nearly 1,500 students qualifying and competing at the finals for each organization. 

To qualify for nationals, participants from Wyoming must finish the Wyoming High School Rodeo Association (WYHSRA) season in the top four in their event. Like other athletes, they also must maintain good grades and attendance and exhibit good sportsmanship. 

To earn points, cowboys and cowgirls must finish in the top 10 in their event at one of the seven WYHSRA sanctioned rodeos. First place gets 10 points, second place gets nine and so it goes for the top 10 in each of the following events: pole bending, saddle bronc, chute dogging, bull riding, barrels, tie down roping, ribbon roping, boys and girls breakaway and boys and girls goat tying and light rifle. At the end of the season the points are tallied and the top four student athletes in each event are honored with the chance to compete at the NJHFR. 

The 2025 WYHSRA rodeos were held in Laramie, Wheatland, Rawlings, Rock Springs, Big Piney, New Castle and culminated with the state finals in Gillette.

When the dust settled at the Cam-Plex arena in Gillette on May 9, Haeffelin had qualified for Nationals in pole bending and barrels with her horse Dorthy and goat tying with her horse, Q. Cushman found herself in the top four also, qualifying in barrels and pole bending with her horse Batman.

“I’m looking forward to hanging out with friends, competing and doing what I love most. My favorite event is goat tying because I’ve been the most successful in that event and it’s just fun to me,” Haeffelin said looking forward to Nationals. 

Haeffelin is the daughter of TJ and Cassie and will be a freshman this fall at Torrington High School (THS). In addition to the three events she qualified for, she also competes in breakaway roping and will try her hand at team roping next year. 

Aside from rodeo, Haeffelin also participates in basketball, volleyball, track, wrestling and 4-H.

Cushman is the 14-year-old daughter of Matthew and Ashley and she will be a freshman at THS this fall. 

“I am so excited for Nationals this year as it’s my first time qualifying. It’s also my last year to do junior high rodeos. I’m excited to see friends and show people what I’ve had to do to make it there. My horse, Batman and I have come so far from when we first started with each other,” Cushman said excitedly about her trip to the finals in a few days. 

Cushman also does goat tying during rodeo season, participates in 4-H and enjoys running cross country and playing basketball. 

Hitting the rodeo circuit isn’t only about winning, belt buckles or arena records, although these things should be commended. Endless hours in a pickup on the road to a rodeo can offer quality family time. Knocking over a barrel or a slow time goat tying is a reminder to work hard, practice and continue working towards your goals. 

The amount of time their parents and families dedicate to help them achieve their goals is not lost on these cowgirls.

“Without my family right by my side the whole time I wouldn’t have been able to make it. I’m really excited that we have one more big rodeo to add to our list,” Cushman brags of her family.

Haeffelin agrees.

“I would like to thank my mom and dad and my Aunt Cody for letting me run her horse Dorothy and everyone who has helped me,” she said. 

 Haeffelin sums up life in the arena pretty accurately when she shared her favorite quote and there’s no doubt Cushman would agree. 

“It’s not about how many times you get knocked down, it’s about how many times you get up.”

To follow along and cheer for Haeffelin and Cushman, you can visit the NHSRA website at www. nhsra.com. The rodeos will also be featured on the Cowboy Channel Plus.