HELENA – Parker Lenhardt, a middle school rodeo competitor in Helena, has achieved a goal she has dreamed of for years: She has secured a spot on the Montana National Junior High Rodeo Finals team, where she will compete against riders from around the world.

Rodeo holds a special place in the hearts of many Montana communities, and one CR Anderson Middle School student from Helena had the opportunity many competitors dream of by competing on a national stage, and she did so through rodeo.

Parker has been riding since she was four years old, ever since she saw someone riding a horse on the way home from school, but before she started anything she had to discuss it with her mother first.

“You know, at first you think: I'm putting my little child on this 1,200-pound animal, is that really a smart decision? And then I just wanted to watch her grow up and become one with the horse… She's an incredible rider, it's really fun to watch her,” said Kendra Lenhardt.

But as her riding experience grew, she developed a desire to try rodeo.

“I just rode horses and then started barrel racing. Then we realized rodeo was a whole different league and I started doing that and never looked back,” Parker said.

But to make it here, she had to prove herself at the state level first, and her family always knew she had what it takes to compete at the national level.

“The top four in each event go to the state championships. So she's competing with everyone in the state of Montana. And to be in the top four, to go… I mean, we're so proud of her and her accomplishments,” Kendra said.

Ten years later, she qualified for the National Junior High Rodeo Finals in Denver, a week-long tournament where she competed against riders from across the United States and countries from around the world, including New Zealand.

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On her first day, Parker got off to a great start, just as her family had hoped, placing 5th overall in Girls Breakaway Roping, with a time of 2.21 seconds that put her in the finals.

Overall, she finished 24th out of 200 riders in Girls Breakaway Roping and 70th out of 180 in Pole Benders.

For Parker, it was a dream to compete in national rodeos.

“This means a lot to me. I mean, we've tried every year and this year was finally our lucky year. And it was just incredible. I'm so excited,” Parker said.

For Parker, this is just the beginning of her rodeo season. She will also compete in NRA rodeos throughout the summer, as well as the Gold Buckle Dreamin' Rodeo during Stampede weekend on Sunday, July 28.