Watch Out For Katy Named Boys AQHA Horse Of The Year At 2007 Wrangler Jr. High Finals Rodeo

Jarek Van Petten and his father Dr. Jeff Van Petten were on their way home from the 2007 Wrangler Junior High Finals Rodeo held in Gallup, New Mexico, when the call came: Jarek’s horse Watch Out For Katy had been named the Boys AQHA Horse of the Year.

When the Van Pettens had left Gallup, Katy had been in second place for the Horse of the Year title; however, shortly after their departure it was determined that an error had been made in the calculations, and the 12 year-old mare had moved into first place, earning a saddle, breast collar, and a $500.00 scholarship for her rider.

Van Petten explained that this win was “especially sweet” because the mare was family bred and raised. Watch Out For Katy is by the Van Pettens’ stallion Top Sail Fiddle and was bred by Jarek’s Aunt Jill and Uncle Chris English. After the Van Pettens purchased Katy she was sent to Ellsworth Harrison in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, for training. Harrison also worked with Jarek so horse and rider could work as a team, which obviously paid off: Not only was Katy named 2007 Boys AQHA Horse of the Year for the Wrangler Division of the High School Rodeo Association, she also earned Kansas Horse of the Year Honors and placed 18 th in calf roping at the national finals. In addition, Jarek was the only seventh grader to make the cut for the finals in the calf roping competition; the others were all eighth graders.

At the qualifying rodeos, Jarek competed in team roping, ribbon roping, chute dogging, goat tying and breakaway roping; he qualified for the national event in team roping on Fiddle Me Cash and in calf roping on Katy. Jarek and Fiddle Me Cash placed 9 th in team roping.

“A lot of people helped me get there,” Jarek said about his success at the finals, “my dad, my mom, Elzie Harrison in Oklahoma. Hopefully, I’ll go back to Gallup or wherever it’s [the finals] held next year.” And while he says this is the first saddle he’s won, he smiles and adds, “But it won’t be the last.”

Jarek Van Petten on Watch Out for Katy competes in the calf roping competition at the 2007Wrangler Junior High Finals Rodeo held in Gallup, New Mexico, in July. Photo by Jennings Photography.	Jarek Van Petten shows off the 2007 State award he won with his horse Watch Out For Katy. Photo © Foto Cowboy