Amy Ohrt was unstoppable May 7, 2024, at the CEAT Specialty WCRA Rodeo Corpus Christi DY Showcase, winning both the breakaway roping and goat tying.
The 18-year-old freshman at Wharton County Junior College bested the field of eight breakaway ropers with a 2.29-second run to pick up the $2,000 check for first. Being able to compete where majority of the pros will rope this week is an exciting opportunity for Ohrt.
“It’s a great opportunity to perform in a place like that with the pro announcers and the big stage where the pros all compete,” Ohrt, of Victoria, Texas, said. “The WCRA gives us a big opportunity to compete there.”
As the first girl to rope, Ohrt had a game plan of getting the job done.
“I was first out and no idea what the calves did, no idea what the start was,” Ohrt said. “Me and my dad’s plan was just to hold my horse still and see his ear out and go to him and rope him as fast as I could.”
Ohrt had her hands full inside the American Bank Center competing in the breakaway, goat tying and pole bending. Her 7.44-second goat run pocketed her another $2,000 victory, and a 21.125 in the pole bending picked her up $1,000 for third place. All in all, Ohrt left Corpus Christi with $5,000, the most of any contestant.
Ohrt was riding her 11-year-old gelding “Frothy,” who has been with her since he was a colt.
“I’ve roped on him since the end of my freshman year in high school,” Ohrt said. “He’s just been amazing and, ever since we started training him, he’s just been an awesome horse. He’s really showed out the past couple of years.”
As the 2023 WCJR (World Championship Junor Rodeo) All-Around Cowgirl, Ohrt is very familiar with the WCRA DY Showcases, and she has a great appreciation for the opportunities they provide for youth rodeo athletes.
“Just to compete on a big stage and have an opportunity to win $2,000 for first,” Ohrt explained. “Even if you place fourth, you’re still going to get paid, and you don’t see that very often anywhere else.”
