By Jaiden Dorris
Quinley Inman is a fifth-generation cowgirl from Ketchum, Oklahoma, and she is the 2024 INFR (Indian National Finals Rodeos) Barrel Racing Champion. Even more impressive – she’s only 9 years old.
Quinley started riding horses before she could walk. She has always enjoyed competing in rodeos and events such as barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, breakaway and team roping. She was heavily influenced and taught by her family members who are cowboys and cowgirls.
For the uninitiated, barrel racing involves quickly riding a horse around barrels and is judged by time and accuracy. Pole bending involves horseback weaving in and out of poles and is also timed. Goat tying is exactly what it sounds like: A rider gallops to a goat, dismounts, flips the goat and ties three of its legs together to stay tied for at least six seconds after the rider steps away. Breakaway is a roping event that involves roping a calf and timing how long it is roped before the rope “breaks away.” Finally, team roping is an event where two riders work together to rope a steer.
Quinley’s horse is named Socks, and Socks supports her in all of her barrel racing dreams. Socks is a beautiful 18-year-old mare with a light brown coat and a white stripe on her nose. Quinley became the owner of Socks two years ago when Ashley Whatley, a fellow rider and one of Quinley’s greatest mentors, sold her to the Inmans.
Quinley grew up learning about rodeoing from her parents. Her mom, Jordyn, barrel races, and her dad, Quinton, also grew up rodeoing. Quinley has been traveling with her parents to their rodeos and jackpots, and cheering them on since she was born, and now they’re returning the favor by traveling and taking her to all of her rodeos.
There is a lot of hard work that goes into rodeoing, including but not limited to traveling, training, resting, taking care of the horse and entering into the rodeos. Sometimes it can be taxing, but this is worth it to Quinley; she loves it. Quinley puts Socks first over everything. She makes sure Socks is in the best shape to do her job and always makes sure she has all of her needs met.
Quinley says, “When all of the hard work and practice come together and pay off with a win, it makes all of the hard work worth it to share a win with Socks.”
Some things that can be difficult for a young rodeo star are juggling school, good grades, softball, practice roping, traveling for rodeos and taking care of the horses. These are all things Quinley does every week. She plays softball three nights a week after school. She also has to keep her rodeo skills sharp and her horses in shape. She recently became homeschooled, which makes it a lot easier to follow her dreams.
When Quinley competes, she brings her saddle, pad and bit, which are all important types of equipment a rider needs. However, Quinley believes the most important things she makes sure she has on every trip are peppermints and blueberry Pop-Tarts for Socks. Those are Socks’ favorite treats.
There are many role models to look up to and learn from in the field of rodeo. These aren’t only people but incredible animals as well. The horses Quinley rode before Socks molded her into the amazing rider she is today. She is grateful for her friendship with Ashley Whatley, who helped Quinley get to know Socks after she sold her to them. Ashley is one of the team’s biggest fans.
The main competition Quinley competes in is the Indian National Finals Rodeos (INFR), which take place all over North America. Quinley enjoys seeing national parks on these trips, such as Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon and Glacier National Park.
Quinley hopes to make the Junior INFR in Las Vegas and open barrels again this year. She hopes to have as great of a finals competition as she did last year, when she won the Junior Barrel Racing Tour Championship, Junior Barrel Racing World title and Open Barrel Racing World title at only 9 years old.
She is a role model to many young and aspiring riders, and Quinley says, “I am lucky to own Socks and get to make new friends and encourage others.”
In the past year, Quinley won three saddles, 25 buckles and added $30,000 to the team’s lifetime earnings. According to Quinley, Socks has opened many new doors and allowed for greater opportunities, making it fun and easier to give her all every time they compete.
“Never be afraid to go for your dreams,” Quinley says, “and hard work will always pay off.
Quinley’s Recent Events
- Quinley went to Florida in January, February and April for INFR rodeos.
- She spent some of May in Arizona for two weeks for rodeo, and she will be traveling north in June to go to Canada and Montana.
- At home, Quinley competes in junior rodeos in Oklahoma.
- Quinley started the year off strong by leading the standings in the junior barrels for the INFR.
Photos By: Rodeo Ready