By: Hope Sickler

Amy Ohrt stamped her ticket to Las Vegas this past weekend when she rode to victory at the fifth qualifier of the KK Run for Vegas/Jr. NFR in Waco, Texas. A horse-crazy, barrel racing-loving 11-year-old, Ohrt ran 7-year-old Ropers Bar Peppy to the win with their smoking-fast time of 14.934 seconds. The dynamic duo topped the 1D and will advance to Vegas in December in the 11-and-under bracket, but there is no denying that Ohrt can run with the big dogs!


Ropers Bar Peppy "Roper" is by Alota Peppys Cash and out of Rose Bar Freckles.

"My grandpa Toby Ohrt Sr. raised "Roper," and my dad worked cows on him and trained him," Amy said. "He is a big part of our family, and we are very thankful for him."

A little nervous before the qualifier in Waco, Ohrt reminded herself that she is supposed to have fun and there is always another rodeo, no matter the outcome of the run.

Roper made a great run and had three solid turns. I just rode as hard as I could! It was awesome and so breathtaking!

Running barrels since she was only 3 years old, Ohrt has the cloverleaf pattern down pat! In addition to running barrels, Ohrt loves to spend time horseback working cattle.


Last year, Ohrt placed second in the qualifier held in Alabama and turned the heat up in Vegas, placing in the first round, running the fastest time in the short round, and finishing third overall in the average.

"I am very excited to be going back to Vegas to compete again, and I cannot wait to meet the NFR barrel racers and make new friends," Ohrt said.

Here is a look at the complete results from the Waco JrNFR qualifier:

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