Little Britches World Champion

Rodeoing at an elite level is not just something that happens overnight. It takes determination, grit, and a relentless work ethic. For Hardin’s Cheyenne Decuire, it is something she has dedicated over half her life to, albeit she is just shy of the ripe old age of 10.

Cheyenne has been showcasing her skills as a competitor in the National Little Britches Rodeo Association (NLBRA) for some time now, competing under the Lonestar Little Britches Rodeo umbrella. The NLBRA was established in 1952 and is represented in 33 states across the country, with over 500 youth rodeos a year for ages 5 to 18.

This past weekend her dedication to the sport she loves genuinely paid off, winning the World Champion Pole Bending Title at the 2021 National Little Britches National Finals Rodeo. Cheyenne was one of approximately 1,600 contestants that competed in this year’s championship events.

The daughter of Kenny and Tylene Decuire, Cheyenne competed in four events, qualifying in Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, Flags, and Goat Untying at the week-long National Finals Rodeo in Guthrie, OK. Rodeoing is a family affair that she shares with her parents and her brothers Konner and Kash. Very few weekends go by that they are not practicing together or on the road, chasing down their dreams.

Her Dad said that winning the title of World Champion is a culmination of years of practice and sacrifice. “Cheyenne has been at it since she was four. She practices when it’s hot; she practices when it’s cold, she practices in the rain, and she practices in the dust. She gets up early, stays up late, and gets in the truck when it’s time to go. She pushes through the bruises, the tears, the sweat, and the pain….and she never says NO.”

Cheyenne and her horse “Bully,” an 11yr old sorrel gelding that she trained herself, took the top honor in Pole Bending for the five to nine age group with three separate, twenty-second pole runs. According to her family, Cheyenne and Bully have built a bond since she was 7yrs old, and the two of them are a formidable team in the arena.

Cheyenne’s Mom said that being a World Champion had not sunk in for her yet, but Cheyenne did say it, “Feel’s Good….”

Cheyenne brought home a slew of gold buckles along with her World Champion title and a brand new saddle commemorating the achievement.

Even though it “Feel’s Good,” the hard work continues as Cheyenne prepares to compete later this year in the Junior World Finals, Dec.

7-11 in Las Vegas, NV, in a pair of events. She qualified in Pole Bending in Amarillo and Barrel Racing in Starkville, MS, through the KK RUN FOR VEGAS qualifiers earlier in the year.

Cheyenne is a World Champion Pole Bender, a five-time qualifier for Las Vegas, with a pair of qualifiers in the poles and three in barrels, which is quite a set of accomplishments for someone who hasn’t yet reached 10 years old.