AVERY SHELTON lives and breathes rodeo. What began as a spark of curiosity in 2019 has grown into a full-fledged passion, fueling long nights at the barn, countless hours of practice, and drive for excellence. Each day, Shelton wakes with a purpose and a plan to improve herself and her horses.
Six years after that, Shelton is no longer a curious audience member. She is actively in the arena claiming titles, ribbons, and trophy buckles with tenacity and determination. However, Shelton’s confidence in the saddle did not prosper overnight; it was earned through consistent training and hard work.
Her rodeo journey began the day she watched her cousin, Sadie Wolaver Troyer, run barrels. Sitting in the stands, Shelton was captivated by the whirlwind of rodeo.
“I asked my parents if I could start,” she recalled. “We went home; I started working my team penning horses on the barrels, and it’s been nonstop since.”
Rodeo may be new to her family, but horses have always been part of her life. She joked that her first equestrian event happened before she could even hold her head up. “I attended my first team penning in Mississippi at only 2 weeks old.”
Growing up, Shelton was surrounded by harness racing, team penning, and ranch sorting. Each sport taught her something different about the value of discipline, strategy, and teamwork.
However, for Shelton, everything changed when rodeo entered the picture.
It wasn’t just another competition but a challenge her entire family took on together. “Each sport is very different,” Shelton reflected. “But starting where I did has paved the way to where I am today.”
Shelton is defined by her persistent work ethic. She knows rodeo does not reward the half-hearted, which is why most evenings one may find her at the barn. Shelton is not out there out of obligation but out of devotion, pouring her time into feeding, grooming, and conditioning her horses. Every detail matters, from checking tack to monitoring their health to ensuring they are mentally ready for the arena.
“I never miss my chores,” she said. “Even when it means late, long nights after school.”
Balancing rodeo with academics is not an easy task, but Shelton handles both with maturity well beyond her years. Shelton’s school allows her to make up assignments missed for competitions, but that does not make her schedule any less demanding. “It’s a lot of long nights, but it’s what has to be done,” she admitted.
She sums it up best: “Success doesn’t come from sitting around. It comes from hard work and determination.”
That mindset has already paid off for the young rodeo champion. For Shelton, winning events isn’t just about trophies; it’s about what they represent. “Winning shows reflects all the hard work I put in all year,” she explained. “It proves I can do anything I set my mind to.”
Every run, every buckle, every small victory reminds her that effort, paired with consistency, will always outweigh talent alone.
Behind every strong rider are strong horses, and Shelton shares an unbreakable bond with hers.
Miley, her 10-year-old barrel horse from Pennsylvania, is both an athlete and a partner with heart. “She’s super consistent and just loves her job,” Shelton said. “She knickers at me every afternoon when she sees me coming. She’s always happy to go to work.”
Girl is a 9-year-old cowhorse who competes in poles and breakaway. Reliable and steady, Girl is the one Shelton can count on every time. “She’s the one I can just pull out of the stall and go do whatever I want to that day,” Shelton shared.
At the heart of Shelton’s rodeo journey are Miley and Girl. Shelton’s love for the sport runs deep, but it is her bond with her horses that truly fuels her passion. She knows that without their trust and loyalty, even the most talented rider would not be able to succeed as she has.
Shelton shared, “Rodeo demands just as much mental strength as physical skill.”
Shelton has learned that success comes not from overthinking, but from trusting the process. “It’s about staying focused and making the runs me and my horses already know how to,” she said.
Her outlook is clear — consistency outweighs perfection.
From her first team penning event at just 2 weeks old to her rise as a rodeo competitor today, Shelton’s journey reflects devotion, discipline, and a deep love for her horses. Her hard work, careful preparation, and mental toughness have paid off in a way that inspires her peers and mentors alike.
Shelton is living proof that greatness and success are not achieved overnight. “Success doesn’t come from sitting around. It comes from hard work and determination,” she said, and she has devoted herself fully to earning every title along the way.
This year, Shelton claimed multiple titles, including Reserve All-Around Cowgirl, Barrel Racing Champion, Ribbon Roping Champion, and Reserve Pole Bending.
Her determination, connection with her horses, and hunger to keep learning have set her apart.
While Shelton’s rodeo achievements are impressive, this is only the beginning of her story. GN
