story by Lily Weinacht
Andee Shae Nored of Bowie, Texas, raced her way to the 2018 AJRA World Champion Barrel Racer title in the 13–15 division this summer. The 14-year-old and her horse Honor Sharp Star “Buddy” led the barrel racing all season long as rookies, and even though Andee Shae hit a barrel in the second round, which took her out of the short round, her consistency throughout the rest of the season carried her to the world title. “The finals was really fun, and the AJRA is probably one of the best associations that I’ve done. They always care about us and we think everything is going well. My world champion saddle is sitting in my house, and it’s by far the prettiest one here,” says Andee Shae, who has 27 saddles and more than 60 buckles to her name.
“College is where I want to rodeo—I’ve always wanted to go to Cisco College, and I have a lot of try and passion for rodeo. I’d have to say my favorite events are barrel racing and breakaway roping. I enjoy barrel racing because I’ve always been blessed with nice horses, and what makes it fun for me is being successful. I started breakaway roping when I was 8. I really enjoy it and I have nice roping horses too.” Both of Andee Shae’s horses, Buddy and Spot, have helped her accomplish numerous goals, including qualifying for the Junior NFR in breakaway roping three times, and most recently, the barrel racing. She is also competing at the Junior American Rodeo in breakaway roping in 2019. “I’ve had Buddy a little over a year, and he’s made most of my dreams come true. I qualified in the KK Run for Vegas on him. Spot started out as a reiner. We got him from my uncle, and he’s been another one that has also made rodeo easy for me. I won a Joe Beaver roping on him, and I’ve qualified three times for the Junior NFR breakaway on him.”
Andee Shae also has a foal she hopes will be her next rope horse, who is by Rodeo Resort out of her mare Hot Little Valentine. She rides daily, and trains on her barrel horse once a week with Paul Humphrey and his Breaking the Mold program. “My mom, Sondra Nored, helps me out. We go to the practice pen every day, and she owns Bowie Equine Hydrotherapy and swims my horses every day. I also want to thank Charlie Heath, Ben Goiun, Outlaw Equine’s Josh Harvey, Simply Equine, Empower Therapy, Simple Steed, Tres Rios Silver, NRS Trailers, and American Hat Company.” She also has the support of her dad, DeWayne Nored, and her older brother and sister, Kellee and BJ.
Along with entering her second season in the AJRA, where she also enters the goat tying, ribbon roping, and pole bending, Andee Shae competes in the UPRA and is leading the rookie all-around standings in the THSRA Region III. She competed in the UPSU finals in Sweetwater, Texas, in early October, while also keeping up with her school. A freshman at Victory Christian Academy, she enjoys math and studying Algebra I, then heads straight home to ride horses. While it’s more likely they’re hauling to a rodeo, Andee Shae and her family enjoy going on vacation at the beach in Mexico, or visiting Estes Park in Colorado. Her next big trip, however, is the Junior NFR in Las Vegas, followed by Fort Worth. “I have a plan this year to make it to The American in the breakaway, and qualify in the Junior American in the barrels and hopefully make it to AT&T Stadium.”
