story by Lily Weinacht
Kensley Barnett is known for her smile both inside the rodeo spotlight and without. Prior to moving up to high school rodeo, she received the KJHSRA Tyson Durfey Sportsmanship Award last summer, which widened her smile even further. “I was really shocked when they said I’d won it!” says the 15 year old from Oakley, Kansas. “It’s a privilege. They gave me a belt buckle for the award, and it’s one of my favorites to wear.”
Kensley exercises sportsmanship in all her events, including barrel racing, goat tying, and her favorite, cutting. “I like how the event is set up, and I love riding cutting horses – they’re a lot of fun,” she explains. “My brother started with cutting and I really liked it, so this past year, I started riding more cutting horses and working with people who really know the event.” Kensley’s older brother, Tristen, was the first of the Barnett family to rodeo, starting in high school. “He is a big inspiration to me in his confidence and the way he was always practicing. He’s married and has three kids, so he doesn’t rodeo anymore, but I think his family will want to compete.”
Along with her brother, Kensley is inspired by her trainer, Ty Inlow, and she also works with a cutting trainer, Todd Randles. Her parents, Kevin and Kerie, are her greatest supporters and help with videoing runs and practicing. “I’m motivated to rodeo just knowing that if I keep on practicing and going, I’ll be something more than what I am now,” says Kensley. “Someday, I’ll hopefully go to the WNFR and do great things there.”
She pulls into her rodeos with three horses – one for each event. “My goat horse, Missy, is in her 20s, and I got her from a friend of mine for breakaway, but I decided to goat tie, and she’s also great for learning on and taking care of me. I use Mac for barrels, and he’s my favorite because he’s been in my family the longest, and my brother roped off him. I can do anything on him, and he’s getting really good on barrels. I have a new cutting horse, Emma, and she’s experienced and a really great horse.” She also shows horses, pigs, and goats through 4-H, and won Round Robin Showmanship in the senior division, and reserve champion in horse showmanship. “I sell my goats and pigs every year, but it’s not that hard for me because I take the money and use it for my rodeo entry fees,” Kensley explains.
“Ag. is my favorite class, and this year I’m starting FFA, which I’m really excited about. I used to do volleyball and basketball, but now I’m just focusing on rodeo,” says the freshman from Oakley High School. After school and weather permitting, Kensley practices, either riding in her horses’ pasture, or at the Oakley fairgrounds. “My dad is on the fair board, and is in charge of maintaining the arena, so I always have good ground to practice on.” She also spends time with her brothers, Konnor (12), who is starting junior high rodeo this year, and Kutler (10), who is also interested in rodeoing.
“This year, my goals are to work really hard and make it to high school Nationals, especially in the goat tying and cutting,” says Kensley. “I always have God by my side when I go. Going into high school competition, it’s been harder, but I’m ready to accept the challenge and work hard.”
