News & Tribune Sports March/April 2024 | Page 8

Paisley Brown is a third-generation cowgirl . She was born and raised in Palmyra , IN . Brown ’ s first experience on horseback was when she was only two weeks old . Her father and late grandfather were both competing in the same rodeo . “ Pappy ” David Brown was one of the founding members of the Southern Indiana Junior Rodeo Association , which was founded in 1996 . Her father , Ty Brown , was one of the association ’ s first members .

Nowadays , the Brown family members compete in Salem , IN , where eleven-year-old Paisley is currently the 3-4-5 Southern Indiana Junior Rodeo Association Princess . The young athlete also competes in the Indiana Junior High Rodeo Association , which age range includes fifththrough-eighth graders . The Indiana Junior High Rodeo Association is co-sanctioned with the National High School Rodeo Association .
In June 2023 , Brown qualified for the finals of the Junior High Division of the National High School Rodeo Association , which were held in Perry , GA . That event is extremely competitive because officials take only the top four from each event from each state , and the entire nation competes . Brown qualified in both barrel racing and pole bending . She placed sixth in the round for barrel racing . Last year , she was also the Rodeo Princess of the Southern Indiana Junior Rodeo Association .
Her dad still competes in the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association ’ s steer wrestling event , and his eldest daughter has always loved getting to watch him . Now , the young rodeo princess gets to compete right alongside him . Because Brown is a third-generation cowgirl , it ’ s in her blood . She saw her father do it , and from a very young age , she wanted to copy him . She loves the rodeo and wants to be involved in it for the rest of her life .
Paisley competes in about 40 rodeos a year , but sometimes the number can go up as high to around 48 .
Her mother , Aubrey Brown , said rodeo is a family affair .
PAGE NO . 8 NEWS AND TRIBUNE SPORTS MAGAZINE MAR / APR 24