BY LINDSAY DOMER, JOURNAL INTERN
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| Jolie Van Petten will be watching this year's Ford Youth World from the stands because of a broken finger. |
When Jolie Van Petten left the Ford AQHYA World Championship Show last year, she didn’t know it would be her final appearance. Jolie, who recently graduated from Jefferson West High School in Meriden, Kansas, qualified in the heading, breakaway roping, tie-down roping, barrel racing, pole bending and stake race at this year’s Ford Youth World, but will not be able to compete because of a broken pinky finger.
While at the National High School Finals Rodeo at the end of July, Jolie not only represented Kansas in the arena, but also on the basketball court. Unfortunately, during one of the tournament games, Jolie’s left pinky finger was bent backwards so far that it shattered the bone in two places. The doctors deadened her finger and told her she could finish competing at the NHSFR but insisted she have surgery and sit out from the show.
Three pins, multiple stitches, a semi-hard cast and a sling later, she arrived in Fort Worth to watch her younger brother, Jarek Van Petten, exhibit her mare, Lacys Xinqi, in the heeling.
Jolie’s grandmother, Joyce Baker, said she tried to stay positive that Jolie would be able to compete at the Ford Youth World, but is glad the doctors are taking precautions. Jolie and Bar Time Fiddle, who is owned by Joyce, were crowned the 2004 world champions in the stake race and were the reserve champions at last year’s Ford Youth World.
“It has been almost as hard for me as it has been for her,” Joyce said.
Jolie will be out of the saddle for more than a month, but will be back just in time to compete in her first National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association rodeo in September. Jolie will be representing the Kansas State University rodeo team.
“I just want to ride my horses again,” Jolie said.
