The Superior Express -

After school two Superior elementary students, Oakley Ward and Lane Ward, keep active working with their horses. On Feb. 22 and 23 their hard work paid off. The sister and brother took part in the Heartland Youth Rodeo Association Finals (HYRA) at Kingman, Kan.

Oakley Ward and her brother Lane, competed in the Heartland Youth Rodeo Association Finals at Kingman, Kan., Feb. 22 and 23. The two won serveral prizes for their wins at the two day event.

Oakley, a Superior Elementary sixth grader, competed in the fifth to eighth grade division in several events during the two day event finishing in one of the top three places in each event: third place in pole bending; second in goat tying, and first in barrel racing, ribbon roping, breakaway roping, and girls heading in team roping. She won the finals average in breakaway also. Because of her wins, she was named the 2019-2020 All-Round Cowgirl. She received a pail, four belt buckles, hay bag, fork and the grand prize, a saddle.

Oakley has loved horses since she was young. For competition she has five horses for the different events. Four horses ride in one trailer to rodeo events. Friends take another trailer to haul the fifth horse to events for Oakley.

Her brother, Lane, a Superior Elementary kindergarten student, also competed at the HYRA Finals. He placed fourth in barrel racing for his division, 0 to first grade. Lane won a hay bag and belt buckle.

Oakley and Lane's fan club was at the rodeo to cheer them on. They were their mother, Melissa Ward; Aunt Lacey and Uncle Clint Holland and cousins, Wyatt and Ben of LaCygne; Aunt Miranda Ward of Fairfield; and Grandpa Rodney Ward, Nelson. Sponsors were Main Street Floral, Scott's Appliance, Kenny's Lumber, Ideal Market, Peak Dental, Nutrien and Bagley's Burger Barn.