WCRA Rodeo Carolina held a DY Youth Showcase event Saturday morning Oct. 7, 2023, prior to the second progressive round of the Rodeo Carolina, complete with two slates of youth breakaway ropers.
In the end, Texas’ Kylie Reininger and Madyson Mansel were the champions of their respective breakaway pools with times of 2.6 seconds and 3.18 seconds. Reininger earned $2,000 and Mansel earned $2,200 for the effort.
Reniniger rules
Hailing from Seguin, Texas, 14-year-old Reininger prioritized coming to the DY Youth Showcase event because of the WCRA’s consistent payouts to youth.
“Today I focused on staying calm and treating this like any other rodeo,” Reininger said. “I was trying to see my start—see ear—and be smart with my run and rope how I usually do.”
She did it with the help of 9-year-old gelding “Tyson,” who she’s had for three months.
“He’s very special to me,” Reininger said. “It took us a few months to really get together, but now we’re good. When I ride him, I really focus on staying up, because I struggle with getting too far back.”
Mansel masters
14-year-old Mansel is from Bryan, Texas, and has been breakaway roping for four years. She and partner “Ally” have been together for one year, and she credits the mare for leveling up her game.
“She has been the biggest blessing,” Mansel said. “She’s taken me places I couldn’t imagine. I’ve roped a 1.8 on her and now we’re here. She’s just a good horse. She’s fast and stops hard so that rope breaks off. Winning this feels pretty good, I’ve been in a slump so this is a big boost.”
Mansel also thanked her parents Kimberly and Bobby for their support.
“My dad told me to see behind the ear and go out there and rope,” Mansel said. “Don’t let my horse shut me out and it worked. I love the adrenaline of breakaway. You’ve got to be fast—it’s the fastest sport.”
DY Youth Showcase Breakaway Pool A Results
| 1 | KYLIE REININGER | 2.6 | $2,000 |
| 2 | JOSEY JAMES | 4.3 | $1,500 |
| 3 | ELLERY AHO | 4.5 | $1,000 |
| 4 | KAITYLN TORRES | 7.3* | $500 |
DY Youth Showcase Breakaway Pool B Results
| 1 | MADYSON MANSEL | 3.18 | $2,200 |
| 2 | GRACIE METTA | 3.51 | $1,800 |
| 3 | KELSIE REININGER | 7.73* | $1,300 |
WCRA Rodeo Carolina action will continue Saturday evening Oct. 7 with the second progressive round. Find full results for the breakaway roping here.
