By: Jimmie Smith

Faith Hoffman may have had to borrow a horse and deal with an equipment malfunction right before her run, but neither slowed her down at the the Best of the Best Timed Event Rodeo in Gallup, New Mexico, over the weekend.

Instead, the 18-year-old turned in a wicked-fast time of 19.58 on three head to win the average in the goat tying.

The Best of the Best Timed Event Rodeo is a competition for high school and junior high rodeo athletes competing in the events of calf roping, barrel racing, breakaway roping, pole bending, goat tying, and team roping. Entries are open to students who just completed the sixth grade all the way up to the 12th grade. 

A recent graduate from Kiowa (CO) High School, Hoffman is attending Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, CO, in the fall to rodeo for coach Shelby Winchell, a former CNFR goat-tying champion.

"Every girl was tough and could go lay a run down, I love rodeo and how competitive we all are, and can still wish the best for each other," said Hoffman.

The Best of the Best challenge attracted some of the best competitors in the youth rodeo industry. However, Hoffman didn't let the tough competition or obstacles phase her in the short round.

"I came in leading the average by 0.9 of a second, and the two girls behind me had bobbled before I ran," Hoffman said. "I knew I had to just be smooth."



Hoffman was indeed smooth and tied a 7.33 in the short round to clinch her average title and take home a beautiful Martin Saddle and $3,100 in prize money.

Best of The Best Average Winners:

• Barrel Racing
  • Grace Hill $3060
• Tie down Roping
  • Quade Hiatt $3420
• Breakaway Roping
  • Kathryn Todd $4140
• Goat Tying
  • Faith Hoffman $3100
• Pole Bending
  • Kaytlyn Miller $3150
• Team Roping
  • Jared Todacheenie/ Alonzo $3780 each
• All Around Cowboy
  • Paden Bray
• All Around Cowgirl
  • Kaytlyn Miller

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