The Original Cowboy, An American Institution Series part 2
Teenager takes all round in The Bill Picket Invitational Rodeo
PARIS WILBURD
Busting on the scene at the 2022 Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo Championship in her debut appearance wearing a black english style helmet qualifying in the juniors barrel racing event. But in a years time at 14 she came into the 2023 championship leading in points the ladies barrel racing competition.
But when I saw her last summer at the Roy Leblanc Invitational Rodeo in Okmulgee, OK she was sporting and styling very proudly a new red velvet cowgirl hat with prominence. Paris Wilburd of Austin, AK took first place in her event there. “I felt really good to win because we also won last year.” She said in Okmulgee.
Wilburd is a rear and natural find in Rodeo. She is first generation cowgirl, while most competitors runs 3,4,5 deep generational.
Wilburd runs second oldest in the line of five siblings just behind older brother Jaylen, 16, who by the way looks after Paris and his three other sisters Reign, Zoey, Rylan. Jaylen does not compete in the rodeo. But Reign, Zoey, Rylan do in the junior class. Parents Zanetta and her husband Rashaun tag teams support throughout the year.
During the 2023 championship Wilburd ran 14.9 in the barrel race she said “it was really really good. I knew once my horse turned the first barrel really good I knew in that second we were good.”
In the steer undecorating Wilburd snatched that tape of in 1.4 seconds. After she left the chute she said I had my eyes on it.” And was determine to reach for it.
“Her mom took her to a pumpkin patch festival while at six years old and her mom took her back for one less and she was hooked ever since.” Rashaun said.
Not only does Paris, a 14 year old ninth grader, rodeo but runs track and plays volley, But now that the Bill Pickett is over Paris will continue to rodeo for the remainder of the including The Teenage Arkansas Rodeo Association well as jackpot barrel runs
PARIS HOW DO YOU GET YOUR HOMEWORK DONE?
I typically get my hw done inc class. .. When I’m in school I focus on my school work because When I know ehe I;mout of School A lot of stuff to do.
TELL ME ABOUT TRACK SEASON
Outdoor season hasn’t;t start u=yet but I pretty much run all the events. “I run the 200, 400, all the relays, long jump, triple jump.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN TRACK
“I got started in track from my mom because my mom use to run track when she was younger.”
HOW DID YOU GET INTO VOLLEY BALL
“I got into volley ball from my mom when she was younger also. She played volley ball and we also have the same coach. We just kind of launched into that and have been doing that since the 7th grade
AT THE 2022 BPIR YOU HAD A HELMET ON TELL ME ABOUT THAT.
“I had this English fuzzy black helmet on and I kind of grew out of I When I got my red hat for Christmas and I never taken my red hat off after that. “My hat is bright red velvet hat and I love it.”
JUST EXPLAIN YOUR IMPROVEMENTS FROM 2022 BPIR TO 2023 BPIR
From last year to this year my imporvoemen I would definitely say in the Bill picket Rodeo the competition has gotten a little tougher. Well I improved as a rider and trusted my horse more and me and my horse put in a lot of work in during the summer and I feel my horse and I did better than we did last year
CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW YOU TRUSTED YOUR HORSE MORE
My horses name ins Baby Blue Bugs I trust him when I practice. I talk to him thought out my runs and give him treats after he has done good. I just have to put buy trust into him. Cause if I don’t have trust in my horse our run is not going to look the best.
HOW HAS YOUR TAINER LILLY HELP YOU ALNONG THE WAY
Illy helps me by keeping me on my horse throughout the summer. I stay with her a lot though out the summer to ride. She wakes me up every morning to remind me to get on my horse and ride. She gives me motivation to ride and to compete. She keeps me up when I’m down. She just talks to me through out the whole rodeo season.
WHAT TIME TO DO YOU WAKE U IN THE MORNING
During the summer I typically wake up between for and five am. During school I have lessons right after volley ball practice
DO YOU FEED BLUE IN THE MORNING
Yes. iahve two courses out of my I house I typically feed them after I get dressed for for school ion the morning
AS FAR AS. THE LADIER BARREL RACING WHAT WAS YOUR STATUS COMING INTO THE BPIRC
Coming into the Bill Pickett I was sitting first place. I knew I had to have a lot of clean smart clean half runs to keep my portion.
YOU GOT ALL AROUND
I did because I compete in two events and in All-around you have to compete in two or more events and you have to be consistent
WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE TO HAVE THAT ALL AROUND CHAMPIONSHIP
To win All-Around if felt really good to me because I haven’t won all around at the the Bill Pickett Rodeo and so it felt really good and also I was in a new event.
DO YOU HAVE THE SAME EXPECTATIONS FOR NEXT YEAR’S BILL PICKETT
I do have the same expectations and hope to go out there and work hard in the Ladies barrel racing and the ladies steer undercorating and all around.
(REPORTAGE by Brian Branch-Price)
J
NOT done yet sent test dm thanks bro. story to come
B
Beautifully shot and written!