courtesy of Lily Weinacht
Megan Powell = JenningsRodeoPhotoraphy.com
Megan Powell is the vice-president of the AJRA, and has been an avid competitor in the association for the past ten years. This is thanks to her rodeoing parents and her grandpa, John Ray Powell, who still tie-down ropes at the age of 89. “He has been a major influence in starting me roping,” says the 16 year old from Eldorado, Texas. “Grandpa lives just down the road from us, and we get together and rope when it’s warmer.” Megan’s dad, Johnny Powell, competed in the AJRA when he was growing up, and is now the association’s Chairman of the Board. Megan describes her own role on the AJRA youth board. “One of the major things we do is work on prizes for the different age groups. We pick the saddles that we want for the all-around and events saddles, and also choose the buckles and designs that we think our peers would like.”
Megan has won several of those prized saddles. In 2013 in the 13 – 15 age group, she won the year-end saddles for the all-around, barrel racing, team roping, and breakaway roping. Megan is now competing in those same events in the 16 – 19 division. Breakaway roping is her favorite. “It’s the event that I’m best in, and it’s something that I share with my dad and grandpa.” Megan has also attended several of Lari Dee Guys roping schools. “She’s one of my role models,” says Megan. “She’s the best female roper I know, and she’s helped me tremendously with my roping!” Claire, Megan’s mom, also coaches Megan in barrel racing.
Megan and her parents live on their ranch, 23 miles outside of town. She also has an older brother, Marty, who recently got out of the Army. Megan is often with her horses, including Gracie, a barrel horse that Claire Powell trained. Tebow, Megan’s breakaway horse, came from Neal Felton, and the gelding helped her win the first round at state. Dotty is Megan’s longtime roping horse, and after the calves got too quick for her in the breakaway, Dotty became a steady heel horse for team roping. Cows and sheep also fill the Powell’s ranch. The family raises Dorper and Rambouillet sheep for meat. Megan admits that working sheep is not one of her favorite jobs. “Every now and then you’ll get knocked down by one,” she explains. “If you’re not careful, they’ll come at you!”
A junior at Eldorado High School, one of Megan’s favorite classes is health science. The class is for students interested in entering the medical field. Megan also does power lifting, and she went to state finals for the sport in 2014. She attributes her success in the event to the physical demands of rodeo. While she loves to sit down with a good book or listen to music after school, Megan spends the bulk of her time exercising her horses or working with her parents on the ranch. She is especially excited to ride again after having surgery on her ankle in August, and just recently being released to ride.
Megan’s goals in rodeo include qualifying for the NSHFR this summer, college rodeoing, and joining the WPRA after college. “When you’re in school, there are all kind of sports to do, but once you graduate, that’s over unless you’re good enough to go pro. I love that with rodeo, no matter how old you are, you can still do it!” Megan finishes, “I want to thank Mary McMullan and all of the people on the AJRA board, because if we didn’t have them, our rodeos wouldn’t run as smoothly as they do!”
