Liberty Cunningham wowed audiences across the country in her first year of PRCA membership. The 13-year-old trick and roman rider was selected by the PRCA Executive Council to perform at the 2024 National Finals Breakaway Roping.
For Nebraskans, Cunningham may be a familiar face. This year was her inaugural performance at the Hall of Fame Buffalo Bill Rodeo in North Platte. The BBR was the second professional rodeo to book her.
After wrapping up her “final” rodeo of the season in Longford, Kansas, Cunningham was pleasantly surprised to learn of her NFBR selection.
“When my mom told me, it was after my choir concert,” said Cunningham. “I was so excited.”
Her trick riding career began when she was just eight years old, after her mom bought her trick riding lessons for Christmas. These days, her act includes a mix of trick riding and roman riding with elements of dance sprinkled throughout the routine. After taking dance lessons for ten years and riding all of her life, Cunningham’s impressive performance feels like second nature.
“It was an easy adjustment,” Cunningham said.
Her horses – Blair, Elite, and Cletus – play integral roles in her performances, and will all make the trip to Las Vegas. Liberty shares her passion for horses and rodeo with her mom, Kara, and her sister, Lakin.
The National Finals Breakaway Roping will take place December 3-4, 2024 at the South Point Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 2024 is the first year the NFBR has included specialty acts in their performances.
Listen to our interview with Liberty here:
Watch our segment with Liberty from this year’s Buffalo Bill Rodeo:
