'I don't want to ruin her dream': Alaska family overcomes hurdles to attend IFYR, pursue rodeo dreams
Caleb McCourry, Oklahoman
SHAWNEE — A cowgirl from Alaska stirs a lot of attention at rodeos.
Most competitors are from places that are synonymous with the rodeo life, states such as Texas, Oklahoma and Wyoming.
Barrel racer and breakaway roper Laura Haight is from Kodiak, Alaska, and people can’t help but take additional interest in cowboys and cowgirls from Alaska.
“We get asked a lot of weird questions,” Haight said. “One was like, 'Do we have pet polar bears?'”
Haight,16, is currently traveling all over the United States competing in rodeos and competed this past week in the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, which concluded Friday night.