By Robert Morgan | Published Sunday, July 26, 2009
Kristin Shoppa. Get used to that name because she is quickly make waves on the national rodeo circuit, and she is back at it this week. The Decatur girl finished sixth in barrel racing in the first go at the 61st annual National High School Rodeo Association's finals in Farmington, N.M., this week. There are 165 high school barrel racers from as far away as Australia and Canada. Shoppa was to run her second go Friday morning.
Earlier this month, Shoppa won the Texas High School Rodeo Association barrel racing title at the state finals in June. The cowgirl won the coveted buckle in Abilene to earn the right to compete at nationals which run through July 25.
At the state finals, Shoppa took the lead in the first round and ended with a total time of 49.51 seconds. The title did not come easy as she competed against 100 other barrel racers representing 10 different regions throughout Texas.
Shoppa is a student at Laurel Springs, a college preparatory private school.
