Wylie Jo Hodges prepares for The American Rodeo

Wylie Jo Hodges has had a busy past few months. The young equestrian qualified for semifinals by being in the top 3 in the American qualifier at Marshall in September on her palomino mare, DH Jess Stellar “Jules”.

Wylie Jo’s grandparents, Damon and Donna Hodges of Hodges Farms bred and raised this mare through their program. Janna Brown, an elite horseback rider, trained and futuritied her.

Jules went back to Hailey Kinsel at the end of September to finish up the year. She has been with Hailey Kinsel the last couple years. Hailey and Jules were the Women’s Championship Rodeo Champions this past spring.

Wylie Jo got her back at the end of December after the National Finals Rodeo. The semifinals will be Wylie Jo and Jules’ 10th run together.

In October, Wylie Jo and her horse she trained; DH Shodos Status “Lucille” qualified for the Jr. Patriot to be held in Ft. Worth in March.

In November, Wylie Jo was reserve youth derby champion at the BFA in Guthrie, Oklahoma, on her 5-year-old mare Lucille. She was in the juvenile on her 3-year-old gelding she trained DH Frost Flit Jones “Jones”. Both horses were raised by Hodges Farms as well.

In December, Wylie Jo competed in the KK Run for Vegas qualifier and Vegas Tuffest in Las Vegas. Lucille was injured so it wasn’t a great couple weeks out there.

Wylie Jo qualified for the American Rodeo which is a huge accomplishment. She’s never qualified for the “Crown Jewel of Rodeo” but it has always been one of her goals to do so.

She’ll be in a tournament type format in which she makes three runs total in hopes of finishing in the top four.

If she nails down a spot at the semifinal event this upcoming weekend, Feb. 3-5, she will have a chance to run against the pros and have a shot at one million dollars.

The event is a big one as it features all the top riders across the country and will be held inside Globe Life Field in Arlington.