2007 IPRA World Champion Cowgirl Barrel Racer

Mesa Leavitt

When IFR38 drew to a close, Mesa Leavitt had written a new page in the International Pro Rodeo Association’s history book.  At 4’5”, this 12-year-old dynamo not only claimed her second world championship, she won each of the four go-rounds, won the average, and topped the field of IFR contestants to be the high money earner collecting over $12,000.

Mesa had been plagued with downed barrels at IFR37 and her goal at IFR38 was to make four clean runs.  She achieved her goal, and then some!  In round one, when everyone is usually battling nerves and first-night jitters, Leavitt and Junior rounded the pattern in 15.183 seconds to best the field by three tenths of a second.  The Bluegrass, IA cowgirl broke the 15 second mark in the second round clocking a 14.925 second run.  Leavitt jockeyed Junior through an absolutely flawless pattern in the third round and turned in a 14.844 second run that was the fastest time of the IFR.  A fourth round time of 15.009 seconds cinched the average win with a total time of 59.961 seconds on four runs. 

Barrel racing legend, Martha Josey surprised the Leavitt family by attending the IFR to cheer on her young protégé.  To have one of the greatest barrel racers of all time sitting in the stands watching you run would have rattled even the most seasoned veteran but as Richard Leavitt, Mesa’s father said, “It didn’t bother Mesa one bit, but it sure made us nervous.  The Josey’s have been there supporting Mesa from the beginning, it was really special to have them at the finals.” 

“Words just can’t describe how ecstatic we are that Mesa has won her second world title.  She loves the rodeos and the IPRA is like an extended family to her,” said Richard.  “Junior loves the crowds at the rodeos, the louder they are, the harder he runs,” said Mesa.  “The rodeos are my favorite place to run barrels.”

For her young age, Mesa’s actions at the finals spoke volumes about her character and how she has been raised by her parents.  After the second round of IFR action, fellow barrel racer Tiffany Teehee of Claremore, OK had to undergo an emergency appendectomy and was out of the competition.  Mesa gave her third round buckle to Tiffany as a gesture of support and consolation.

As far as the 2008 rodeo season goes, when Richard quizzed his daughter about hitting the trail hard again, she informed him that, “a World Champion has to defend her title, Dad.”  Enough said.