Rodeo teen heads to state finals

At the start of the season, I wasn’t sure we would make it,” said Alexa Aviles, a Dublin native and Lingleville freshman who will be riding, her horse, Midnight, in the pole bending event at the Texas High School Rodeo Association State Finals June 6-15 in Abilene.

To qualify for the state finals rodeo, contestants from each of Texas’ 10 regions compete in rodeos throughout the year. The top 10 contestants from each region are announced at the last rodeo of regional competition.

“Region X has some of the toughest competition of the state,”said Aviles. “I competed two years in junior high rodeo but the competition in high school is a different level.”

“ I knew if I wanted to qualify, I’d have to spend a lot of time practicing,” she continued. “So that’s what we did. I was holding my breath waiting for them to post the final results. I was kind of in shock to see we made the cut. I’m just extremely grateful.”

Aviles started riding 8 years ago at the age of 7. She first decided to get in the saddle when she heard about the Miss Cowboy Pro Rodeo Princess Contest. She claimed the title in 2021.

Her 12-year-old equine partner, Midnight, came to her family around the same that Alexa started riding.

“He was actually supposed to be my dad’s horse,” Alexa said. “But with three daughters, he never gets to keep a good one for too long.”

“Midnight and I bonded almost immediately but there was still a long road to get where we are now,” she recalled. “Midnight didn’t know any of the events. I’m really proud to be in the winner’s circle on a horse that I trained in poles.” For those unfamiliar with pole bending, a horse weaves their way in a serpentine pattern through a straight line of six poles.

“Poles is his favorite event and he really loves his job,” Alexa said of Midnight. “We make a great team and he’s just so full of personality and fun to ride.”

Although Avilez loves Barrel racing too, she said Midnight’s fondness for poles makes it her favorite event as well.

“We made a few mistakes throughout the season but we both really gave it our all and were able to remain in the top 10 all year,” said Alexa.

However, the points for top riders in Region X were so close all season that it came down to the last rodeo to see who made it to state.

Midnight and Alexa are staying in shape for the big event by practicing drills.

“We want to show up to the state finals in Abilene focused and calm,” said Aviles, who said they’re going to “give it all we’ve got.”

Alexa would like for her and Midnight to make it to Nationals while she is in high school and also taker her barrel horse further in competition.

“Horses and rodeo are such a huge part of my life,” she said. “Our whole family spends a lot of time together in the arena working on the next goal. I’m really thankful to have such supportive parents to help my sisters and I reach our goals.”

The Texas High School Rodeo Association is a 501-C nonprofit organization, which is the largest, most prestigious state high school rodeo association in the nation. THSRA sponsors over 125 rodeos per year throughout 10 regions across Texas. The rodeo year begins in August and concludes with the Texas High School Finals Rodeo in June. It is here, at the largest rodeo in the state of Texas, where “The Elite Compete” featuring the top cowboys and cowgirls from each Region. They compete for numerous awards, scholarships as well as the coveted honor of representing the state at the National High School Finals Rodeo held each July in Rocksprings, Wyoming.

The state finals will be broadcast live on the Cowboy Channel.