Walla Walla, WA – McKenna Caudle, from Horatio, Arkansas, was the lucky recipient of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s 2020/2021 Ram Truck award. Caudle is a student at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Arkansas.
The drawing was held at the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s national office the morning of May 12th. The NIRA’s national office staff witnessed the drawing.
NIRA Commissioner, Roger Walters delivered the good news to Ms. Caudle following the drawing. Mr. Walters told Ms. Caudle that she was going to make a trip to Casper, Wyoming, to the College National Finals Rodeo to pick up a RAM truck in June. He said, “Needless to say, she was very excited!”
“Oh my, well, truthfully, my initial reaction was, ‘Oh goodness, I needed some good news today, my boyfriend dumped me, and my papaws dog died!’ a new truck can fix a heartbreak any day of the week! On a more serious note, I was in complete and utter shock!” Miss Caudle added, “We have a running joke in our family about how terrible my luck is, but I believe this might be a turning point.”
Ms. Caudle is a freshman, studying elementary education at Southern Arkansas University, where she competes in barrel racing and goat tying. Her goal is to graduate in the spring of 2023 and teach kindergarten. She will pick up her new Ram truck on Saturday night during the short-go in the middle of the arena.
“This truck will have a tremendous impact on my future. Now that I have a truck I can finally call my own, the places I'll go are endless. Interestingly enough, I chose this career path because it will enable me to continue rodeoing on the weekends and throughout the summers. It's the perfect combination of my two most favorite things, rodeo and kids! Many thanks to everyone who made this possible! I am incredibly grateful and blessed for receiving this truck. I can't wait to put some miles on it!”