By Rich Winter

605 Sports

GILLETTE, Wyo. — From the moment Wall’s Piper Cordes watched world champions being crowned as a sixth grader, she has dreamed of the day her name would be up in lights. 

On July 22, in front of a packed stadium at the National High School Finals Rodeo, Cordes’ dreams came true when she won the barrel racing championship. 

“It didn’t hit me right away,” Cordes said. “When I finally realized I’d won my mind was racing with thoughts of how well my horse “Fiesta” ran and how much support I’ve been given by my family, my friends and the Lord.” 

Prior to July 22’s short-go with 20 athletes slated to compete in the barrel racing, Cordes had to draw for what order she would go in the final performance. Having the top seed entering the short-go, Cordes was the first competitor to draw. 

 “All I knew is I didn’t want to go first,” she said. “I ended up hand drawing No. 20 and I felt like everything from there on out was meant to be.” 

Piper Cordes took home a Slone saddle and a hefty check from the National Finals High School Rodeo - Courtesy photo

The national championship capped a remarkable season for Cordes and “Fiesta”. Cordes came out of the South Dakota regional rodeos with maximum points then claimed the barrel racing state title in June with a total score of 90 points. 

The National High School Finals Rodeo began on July 16. Cordes opened her finals appearance with a performance winning run of 17.015 seconds on July 17. 

“Going into that first run I didn’t want to be conservative,” she said. “I’ve been working for this all year and I was just really proud of my horse and how hard he worked.” 

Having rode Monday morning Cordes wasn’t scheduled for her next barrel run until Friday night. Though she tried not to let the days of not competing bother her eventually she got nervous in the latter stages of the week. 

“Tuesday and Wednesday didn’t bother me very much,” she said. “Thursday and Friday were a little harder because I had so many feelings running through me. I didn’t want to be nervous so I tried to think positive thoughts and give it up to the Lord.” 

Cordes, who will be a senior at Wall High School, has been working with “Fiesta” since her eighth-grade year. Entering the pen Friday evening before her barrel ride, Cordes knew it could be a special night. 

“I can tell before I go into the game when he’s worked up and ready to run,” Cordes said. 

Fiesta’s body language was good entering the second run giving Cordes a ton of confidence. 

Although Cordes said she was nervous prior to the run she was elated to see the 16.725 seconds flashing upon completion of the second run. 

“I knew I didn’t have to make a huge run,” she said. “All of his turns were super hard and clean and when I looked up and saw that 16.7 that was one of the best moments of the weekend.” 

Entering Saturday’s short-go with a full second lead on her nearest competitor Cordes didn’t take her foot off the gas, not even for a second. 

“Having the lead didn’t change my mentality,” she said. “I just wanted to make a good run and go out and do what we do best.” 

Cordes' three-run total of 50.803 seconds edged Texas’ Skyler Nicholas (51.764) and Utah’s Morgan Beckstrom (51.866). 

For now Fiesta has been put out to pasture for the rest of the summer, while Cordes finds resting sites for her World Champion buckle and Slone Saddle. 

Rodeo might be done for the summer but Cordes hopes her finals appearance pays dividends down the road. 

“I’m hoping it will open up opportunities for college and pro rodeo,” she said.