story by Siri Stevens
Hailey Haas from Hempstead, Texas, is making her second appearance at the Junior NFR in Las Vegas this coming December. The 12-year-old barrel racer came in 8th in the average in the 11 and under last year. “It was nerve wracking and exciting. It was my first trip to Las Vegas, and this year will be better because I have more experience.”
She started chasing cans when she was five. “I saw my dad team rope, but I thought barrel racing would be more fun,” She has added poles, breakaway, goat tying, ribbon roping, and team roping to her events. “I like doing all the events; I find it to be fun.” She competes in the Region 6 Texas Junior High School Rodeo Association. “I did ok last year – I was shooting to have a lot of fun – and I made it to state in the breakaway.” She picks one or two events to practice a day and works with a lot of people for her different horses and events. She rides five different horses, and enjoys all the events because she has such nice horses to ride. Her goal this year is to continue having fun, make it to the Junior High Finals and win the Junior NFR. She qualified at the Tunica, Mississippi, qualifier, capturing the fastest time in both age groups, and winning it with a 15.045. She is preparing for the 23-hour-drive to Las Vegas by staying focused and working on horsemanship.
She has been to more Martha Josey clinics than she can count; attending both the barrel racing clinics and breakaway clinics. “I’ve learned so much – control, sit down, whoa, how to be a champion – it’s gotten me where I am today.” She also gets a lot of help from her mom, Laura Murphy, her dad, Robbie, and her brother, RJ (11). “He holds goats or pulls the drag dummy. He plays football, and doesn’t rodeo, but has a horse that he rides when he has time.” Her little sister, Madison Grace (2), isn’t old enough to help yet!
Hailey started 7th grade this week, homeschooling with a retired teacher that lives next door to her. “It gives me the chance to go to more rodeos and do what I love – it’s all worth it. I go over there every morning, but we can be flexible with scheduling the trainers with the school schedule.”
Her ultimate goal is to be the next Charmayne James. “She won the world so many times and she is consistent, that’s what I want to be.” She is very grateful for Kelly Kaminski and her production. “She tries to make it possible for all of us and it was a very positive experience.” She is also grateful for all the help she’s had along the way. “It is hard to keep horses going, and I’m very blessed to have people beside me teaching me. I love the sport of rodeo and she thanks Kelly for putting the Junior NFR on – come watch it.”
