In a remarkable showcase of determination and skill, three talented young women who are R. Roger Rowe students — Faith Marshall (6 years old), Savannah Jass (10 years old) and Charlie Jass (11 years old) — qualified for the prestigious California Junior Rodeo Association Finals in Norco, Calif., a testament to their relentless pursuit of excellence in the sport of rodeo, according to a news release.
Contenders from the Rancho Santa Fe community also include R. Roger Rowe’s Parker Gleeson (10 years old), Vaunne Henderson (11 years old) and Olivia Markey (13 years old). These young athletes saddle up their horses for practice several times a week to train with their nationally-acclaimed coach Mindy Devenport at San Pasqual Valley Ranch.
“The commitment and hard work that these girls demonstrate is impressive beyond their years, said Devenport in the news release. It is a fight from February to October to make it to finals and these girls have earned their spots through highs and lows.”
Savannah Jass with her horse Diesel at San Pasqual Valley Ranch. (John Gorman)
The journey to rodeo finals is a story of perseverance, commitment, passion and unwavering support from families, teammates, and coaches. Cheers echo across the rodeo grounds as rodeo fans, parents, and teammates encourage the athlete to push hard, as the rider and horse compete against the clock. With barrel runs averaging from 16 20 seconds, the precision of the riders is directly correlated to the hours of hardwork and training that they endure in preparation.
Faith Marshall has been riding horses since she could walk. Faith comes from three generations of avid horse women with her grandma having barrel raced in Texas in her early years. Serendipitously, Faith found local rodeoing roughly 7 months ago through the Jass family and hasn’t stopped chasing the goal of finals since. She now finds herself as one of the top riders in the Southern California Peewee Division. Her determination and improving her skills in barrel racing and pole bending has earned her a place among the top competitors (boys and girls) in her category.
“I’ve worked hard for this,” Faith said in the news release. “I am so excited for the finals and to have my team, friends and family there.”
Faith Marshall on Bolt, owned by the Jass family, who has received Horse of the Year accolades and was the starter horse for many of the rodeo team members. Location: California Ranch Company in Temecula, Calif. (Kelli Marshall)
Savannah Jass exhibited a burst of emotion when she learned that she made the finals. Tears of happiness streamed down her face.
“It took two years to qualify in the junior division, but I knew that Diesel and I could do it, Savannah said in the news release. I am so proud of my horse and love him so much!”
Earlier this year, Savannah qualified for Junior World Finals which will take place in Las Vegas in December.
Charlie Jass, legacy contender and the 2023 CJRA Junior Barrel Racing champion, stated in the news release, “The competition will be tough this year, there are some great riders on amazing horses.”
When asked what she likes most about rodeo she answered, “The friends that I have made, our team is a family, and everyone encourages each other. And, of course, my horse Piper. She gives me everything she’s got, and she always brings out the best in me.”
Charlie will also compete at Junior World Finals at NFR (National Finals Rodeo).
As rising stars in the young female rodeo world, these six young ladies are proud to be a face for rodeo, demonstrating the positive impact that the sport has had on their lives. Strong friendships and camaraderie, toughness, persistence, and love for the horse are just a few of the attributes that they hope will shed light on this great sport, the news release stated.
The Rodeo Finals is scheduled to take place Nov. 29, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 in Norco, Calif. The finals will feature the top 10 competitors in each category and showcase the athleticism, skill, fearless mentality and trust in themselves and their horse.
As they prepare to compete, Faith, Savannah, and Charlie are excited to represent their hometown and inspire other young girls to pursue their rodeo dreams.