By: Kelsie Star Akers
Reyna Johnson: San Diego, California
Reyna Johnson began her career riding horses at the very young age of just 5 years old. She immediately fell in love with life as a cowgirl. A year later, 6 year old Reyna Johnson entered her first rodeo. She became The California Junior Rodeo Associations’ Pee-Wee barrel racing reserve champion and a 3 event finalist!
Skipping forward to the present, she is now only 13 years old. On the weekend, she’s travelling to rodeos and barrel races all over California, Nevada and Arizona. On weekdays, she’s riding and training her horses.
Not only is this young lady a Barrel Racer but she also has a hand in Breakaway Roping and Goat tying!
This cowgirl is one whirl wind of awesome you don’t want to mess with! Focused, absolute, and determined, my three words that describe Reyna Johnson. That’s why we just HAD to ask her a few questions.
Q: What made you decide to participate in such a challenging sport?
Reyna: I started riding at Sam Pasqual Valley Ranch, which is a western training facility. My trainer asked me one day if I wanted to be in a rodeo. I had never even been to a rodeo but I said yes!
She let me borrow an old lesson horse named Oscar to compete on since I didn’t have a horse of my own at the rodeo, I turned the 3rd barrel the wrong way and went off course in poles. I did horribly but I loved it. I loved being around horses I wanted to do it again and be better at it. The sport did not become challenging until I stepped up from Pee-Wee to the junior level and started training in other events.
Qr: What’s your drive?
Reyna: My drive is to set a great example for the sport, especially to my little sister. I know she watches every move I make; I want her to understand that being a cowgirl is hard work. I want her to see that good horsemanship and being humble is just as important as winning a buckle.
Q: Who’s your support system?
Reyna: My support system is huge and is the only reason I am able to rodeo. I do not come from a rodeo family but my family is really supportive. My parents and sister never miss an event. My grandparents, aunts and uncles, all help out in any way they can. My entire family believes in me 100% and I feel really lucky to have that. I also have the support of what I call my “Rodeo Family”. I also have some really amazing trainers that put a lot of time and energy into me. There are also other rodeo families that look out for me. I just feel lucky. There are a lot of people behind every run I make.
Q: What does it take to be the best?
Reyna: To be the best, you have to want it and you have to work for it. Being the best doesn’t always mean you win every time. To me, being consistent is more important.
Reyna: My goal is to be able to get a rodeo scholarship for college. Every time I step into the arena, that’s what I am working towards. After college, I would like to go pro-rodeo as a barrel racer. Horses will always be a part of my life.
Q: Advice for future riders?
Reyna: When it comes to horses, there is no cheating. You have to put in the work. Your time outside of competition is just as important as in the rodeo.