Harley Mackey, age 11, of Cokeville, will compete as a barrel racer with her horse Kara in the Junior National Finals Rodeo next week in Las Vegas. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis) 

Harley Mackey started barrel racing when she was only four years old.

The Cokeville fifth grader is spunky in her braid and cowgirl boots.

At only 11 years old, Harley will be competing in the Junior National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas next week.

This is Harley’s first trip to the Jr. NFR, and her first visit to Las Vegas. She almost can’t contain her excitement.

“I even get to miss school!” Harley says.

The Mackeys will be in Vegas for eight days, and Harley’s first test of her barrel racing skills is on Dec. 13. 

“It’s a really hard sport, but like my dad says, the most important thing is just to get out and have fun,” Harley said.

Harley qualified for the Jr. NFR barrel racing at a rodeo event in Salina, Utah, in August. She says qualifying was really hard, and she had barrel raced at a few different qualifying rodeos before she got a qualifying time.

“I was so close in Gillette and one other time,” Harley says. “That third time in Utah, it was so awesome.”

Harley talks about the moment her scores came in on that final run, and she knew she had earned a trip to Vegas.

The Jr. NFR held eight qualifiers around the country, only taking the top five fastest times at each qualifier to the finals in Las Vegas.

“When we found out I qualified for the Jr NFR, my mom was crying and all my family was screaming and hugging me,” Harley says. “My grandma was watching it on Facebook and said she screamed, too, when she heard the announcement.”

Harley has two sisters; Halley is four and Hailey is fourteen. Harley’s mom, Kasey, works at the Cokeville Clinic, and her dad Joe works for Williams.

“All my family is coming down to Vegas with me,” Harley says.

In the Mackeys’ Cokeville home, alongside baby pictures and family photos, are the numerous belt buckles the family has won at rodeo events. Harley was the Cokeville Pioneer Days rodeo queen last year.

The Mackeys have their numerous rodeo buckles displayed in their home. Harley says she and her whole family can’t wait for her to barrel race at the Jr. NFR in Las Vegas. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis)

Harley jokes with her mom that her own belt buckles are bigger and flashier than the others.

Harley’s mom says that Joe was holding each of their daughters on a horse within a few months of their births.

That relationship with the horses shows, as the Mackey girls are more comfortable in a saddle than most adults.

Four-year-old Halley rides her own horse as Harley works Kara behind the Mackeys’ house, and when she sees the camera, she gives a big smile and a wave.

Four-year-old Halley Mackey smiles for the camera as her sister practices barrel racing at the Mackeys' Cokeville home. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis)

Harley has been riding her horse Kara for less than a year, but the relationship between the pint-sized cowgirl and her horse makes them a perfect team.

“My horse Kara is small just like me, and really fast,” Harley says. “She knows her job really well.”

Harley talks about what it takes to keep her horse in shape every day.

“It’s definitely hard to want to go outside and ride when it’s cold and snowy, but it’s worth it,” Harley says. “Sometimes I’ll ride Kara behind the house just to take her mind off things.”

Harley knows Vegas will be a big test for her and her horse, but she’s determined to love every minute of it.

“My favorite part about barrel racing is just going so fast,” Harley says. “It’s really important to get your timing right. As soon as your timing’s off, you’re going to go wide or hit a barrel straight on, which isn’t fun — it hurts and slows you down.”

Harley’s barrel racing idol is Fallon Taylor, the seven-time NFR qualifier and 2014 world champion barrel racer. Harley even had the opportunity to attend a barrel racing clinic hosted by Fallon Taylor last year.

“It was so cool to just learn from her,” Harley says.

Harley says she sometimes gets nervous before she races.

“I do get nervous before rodeos, but I just have to get on Kara and tell myself I can do it,”  Harley says. “Then I just have fun!”

So what does this 11-year-old want to be when she grows up?

“A famous barrel racer!”

Eleven-year-old Harley Mackey shows off the belt buckle she won at the Jr. NFR qualifying event in Salina, Utah, in August. Harley says she is excited for the chance to compete in Vegas. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis)