Ella Kay of Iowa, Louisiana, came into the 2025 Hooey Jr. Patriot telling her parents “This is my year,” and she proved herself right with a win in the 15-and-Under Goat Tying Semifinals with a time of 13.18 seconds on two goats.

Riding multiple-time NJHFR and Little Britches Champion mare “Lipstick,” Kay posted times of 6.48 and 6.7 to earn $4,000 and a ticket to the 12-and-15-and-Under Short Go on Saturday.

“I liked the way I let my horse run and just trusted my plan,” Kay said of her runs. “I was just doing what I know how to do. I was telling myself, ‘Smooth is fast,’ play my game and let them beat me.”

Kay says her trust in Lipstick is a big part of her success. The pair have been competing together for 4 years and are both 15-years-old.

“That horse means a lot to me,” Kay said. “I’ve won must of my titles on that horse. She’s worth her weight in gold and I couldn’t do any of this without her.”

Now, with the short go imminent, Kay is using mental skills she’s honed in varsity softball to make her best run possible on Saturday.

“In the finals, I’m going to make my run and let the cookie crumble how it does,” Ella Kay said.