Douglas cowgirl qualifies for national high school finals rodeo in Illinois

In cutting both rider and horse have to be in sync for a run at success and on Sunday Alyce Kugler and her horse, Smart Uno Freckles, were both on the same wavelength.

Kugler, who will be a senior at Douglas High School this coming year, survived a case of the nerves to win the girls cutting championship at the Nevada State High School Finals Rodeo which concluded Sunday in Fernley.

The 17-year-old Kugler, an honors student at Douglas, was named to the Wrangler All-Star Team earlier this year and entered the competition ranked No. 2 behind Elko's Chelsea Hooper.

The top four finishers in each event qualified to compete at the 58th annual National High School Rodeo Finals, to be held July 24-30 in Springfield, Ill.

"The competition was extremely close, nerve-wracking," said Kugler's mother, Sue Coffey, the director of the Carson-Douglas High School Rodeo Club. "They have to travel a lot to get the points they get and do what they did."

Kugler also finished 11th in the barrel racing competition, which was won by Yerington's Desi Dotson.

In cutting, a rider and a horse enter a herd of cattle in front of a judge and after pulling a cow out, the rider drops his or her hands, forcing the horse to prevent the cow from returning to the herd, mirroring the actions of the rider.

The competition was close.

"She (Kugler) warmed her horse far from the event so she could not see or hear any other scores," Coffey said. "She stayed in the zone. Her herd work was really, really good. She kept her mind together instead of allowing herself to be nervous.

"All three girls were very awesome."

Elko's Stephanie Barton finished second in the event, followed by Hooper.

"The girls who go back to nationals, you can't say enough about their commitment and riding ability. They are real assets to Nevada and rodeo."

Kugler won the first go on Friday with 145 points. She took second-place in the second go and third in the third go.

Coffey also gave Smart Uno Freckles his due. The horse made the Texas NCHA Finals as a 3- and 4-year-old.

Johnathon Glocknitzer, who lives in Gardnerville but rides as an independent, finished second in boys cutting, behind James Barton, of Ely. Glocknitzer rides a horse trained by Rob Ferber and currently coached by Paul Barnes.

"We feel fortunate to have these talented trainers right here in Douglas County,"Coffey said. "To have two Douglas County students going back to nationals in cutting is something to be proud of."

Douglas County's Brianna Nalder also finished ninth in barrels and qualified for the Silver State International Rodeo inFallon.

Coffey went on to point out that two Carson-Douglas Rodeo Club members sustained injuries in May:Cody Kiser was injured in a bull riding accident and CoryHershkowitz broke his wrist riding in a bareback event inWells. Hershkowitz did come back to the state finals to work the rodeo wearing a cast - and even tied for first-place in a shooting competition.

Elko's James Turley was named the rodeo's All-Around Cowboy and Haley Turley of Las Vegas received All-Around Cowgirl honors.