Junction City student prepares to compete in Las Vegas rodeo

Jaxson Thurmon placed second in a regional bareback riding competition to make it to the world finals competition in Las Vegas. (Contributed)
Jaxson Thurmon placed second in a regional bareback riding competition to make it to the world finals competition in Las Vegas. (Contributed)

Junction City High School student Jaxson Thurmon is currently preparing to take part in the Junior World Finals rodeo in Las Vegas.

Jaxson, according to mom Rachel Thurmon, is "excited" and "not nervous" as he readies himself to compete in the senior bareback riding division starting on Thursday.

"He's a go-with-the-flow kind of kid. He likes to see all his friends from all over the United States and he gets to see all the famous cowboys that he likes. He's a social butterfly," Rachel Thurmon said in a text message to the News-Times.

The 14-year-old Jaxson has, according to his mom, been practicing riding bareback on ponies since he was nine and started with riding steers and mini bulls at seven.

Along with simply practicing riding, Thurmon also uses a spur board to train spurring and balance and plays football and works out to help "keep his core strength up," his mom said.

"He has several guys who help him, also. Todd Smith from Spearsville works with him - he basically coaches him. His dad Danny Thurmon is always with him when he rides, too," she said.

Jaxson is a member of the Junior Roughstock Association and competed in several qualifying rodeos to earn a place at the regional finals.

"He was second [place] at regional finals and got to earn his spot for the world finals," Rachel Thurmon said.

Jaxson will compete Dec. 2 and Dec. 4, and bareback riding finals are set for Dec. 6 according to the event's schedule.

"Over 850" contestants take part in the Junior World Finals, according to the event website, and compete for more than $1 million in total combined prize money at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Junction City student Jaxson Thurmon will compete starting on December 2 in the Junior World Finals rodeo in Las Vegas. (Contributed)
Junction City student Jaxson Thurmon will compete starting on December 2 in the Junior World Finals rodeo in Las Vegas. (Contributed)

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