TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
your horse,” the kids explained. “We take good care of our horses every day. They know us, and we know them,” Claira added. The kids have trained their horses: Tadpole, Gus, and Roy the Wonder Pony. It is always an exciting time on the Morris farm; three talented kids, three good horses, and two parents determined to make the siblings’ trick riding dreams come true. Along with the stunts that the Morris three perform, they also have fantastic costumes and crowd-pleasing pyrotechnic props that accompany their shows. The kids’ grandmother sews all of their costumes, complete with sparkles, fringe, and any other eye- catching accessories she can create. “I ride for God and country,” Claira explained. She is adamant about stars, stripes, and anything patriotic being a recurring theme of their showtime outfits, while according to mom, little sister Allie would be okay with some purple thrown in the mix. As an added feature to their act, Claira, Wyatt, and Allie hand out postcard-size pictures of themselves at every event. The images are of the kids in action on their horses. Printed on every card is a Bible verse specifically chosen to share with rodeo fans. Not only do the Morris kids consider trick riding a sport, but they consider it a ministry. The three siblings say that if they can bring people to the Lord through their extraordinary talents and conversations with spectators, they have accomplished more than just trick riding. Casey and Jimmy are very busy with three kids, and they sacrifice so their kids can live their dream. While nothing about this sport is cheap, they work hard to make it possible. The whole
him do showtime tricks on his bull, Buster, and his steer, Buddy, whom he saddles and rides around the Morrises’ property. As the baby of the group, Allie is very calm and shy, often deferring to her big sister regarding questions about their love of horses and the amazing stunts they perform on them. Allie is the Morrises’ go- with-the-flow child and literally hangs on for the ride. The Morris trio claimed the 2022 CRRA Showcase Group Act of the Year when demonstrating what they love to do most. The Morris children have grown up on their family farm, and a regular day begins with their daily chores: caring for their horses and helping in the family’s chicken houses. The children then complete their homeschool assignments overseen by their mom. The flexibility of the homeschooling schedule allows the family to travel during rodeo season. Of course, the three must also practice or showcase their trick riding stunts every day except Sundays, which are “off days.” The kids have even trained a few of their horses, hoping to turn them from barrel and team roping horses into trick riding horses. Claira explained the horse has to be trained to run continuously around the arena without stopping. When the kids do their tricks, they do not grasp the reins, as they are hanging parallel off one side of the horse or upside down off the other. In Wyatt’s case, he is vaulting off the saddle to the ground and jumping back up on the horse while running in patterns around the arena. The horse has to know its job is to move constantly forward while the riders perform adrenaline-packed stunts off its back. “You have to trust
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SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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