Bailey Bates finds winning formula

Posted by Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi | Jul 9, 2015 | Rodeo |

Bailey Bates rounds the second barrel on Saturday afternoon during the Kayenta Fourth of July Rodeo. Bates received at time of 18.58 seconds. (Times photo – Krista Allen)

KAYENTA

The pressure was on in the short go of the Kayenta 4th of July Rodeo, but Bailey Bates didn’t let it get to her.

Staying calm and collected is a new approach Bates has recently decided to try after having an inconsistent season. Her newfound laidback approach is what helped her earn her first Kayenta 4th of July Rodeo title in the breakaway event.

“I noticed before I would put pressure on myself in the short round,” she said. “I just thought of it as a practice round and wanted it to be clean and really smooth.”

Clean and smooth her run was.

Bates finished fourth in the long go with a time of 3.71 earning $336. She trailed event leader Kylie Gilbert by .24 of a second as Gilbert won the long go events in both the breakaway and barrel racing events.

In the short go, Bailey roped her draw in 3.17 seconds for first place and pursed $480. She had the fastest time overall which gave her the average title of 6.88 seconds. That feat earned her an additional $696.

Bates said she played it safe in her first run and knew she had to do well in the short go.

“On my first run I just wanted to make sure I had a smooth run and caught my calf (with) a good time. It was a good spot for me to come back in the short run,” Bates said. “I knew that the pressure was on and I wanted to make up some time to put pressure on the other girls coming in the short go.”