Submitted photo 14-year-old Morgan Nelson of Fort Dodge recently secured the Iowa Rodeo Cowboy Association points title.

When she was five years old, Morgan Nelson saddled up for her first horse ride.

Since then, it would be hard not to find Nelson taking the reins of competition companions like “Buddy” and “Blueberry.”

The Fort Dodge resident started taking lessons in Badger as a youngster, and a year later, she got her first horse, Buddy — a Palomino Quarter horse who is now 27.

These days, the Fort Dodge Middle School eighth grader works with her Grey Mare Quarter horse, Blueberry, on the IRCA circuit, where she has blossomed into a star.

“What makes rodeo the best is having my amazing horse, Blueberry, help me reach all of my goals and making every run fun,” Nelson said. “Sometimes I mess up as a rider and sometimes she messes up, but the next day, we come back with all we have.

“She is truly a blessing, and I wouldn’t want to compete in rodeos without her.”

Nelson was recently crowned the IRCA (Iowa Rodeo Cowboy Association) 2018 points champion in Waterloo for her achievements in the women’s barrel-racing division, which is made up of college women and rodeo veterans.

“It means a lot to me (to win the crown),” Nelson said. “I set my goal on the championship this year and I tried my hardest to get there. Gratefully, I made it.”

She earned $11,931 in her first-place finish, which is one step away from being a professional and the highest level in Iowa.

Nelson’s championship in women’s barrel racing topped all other rodeo divisions, which includes Bull Riding, Saddle Bronc, Bareback, Steer Wrestling, Calf Roping, Breakaway and Team Roping.

The 14-year-old middle schooler has competed in almost 60 rodeos for IRCA this season all around Iowa, and about 20 or so other rodeos throughout this year. June was intense, with trips every weekend. In July, it was only about a week total without a rodeo or driving to the next.

There were about 12 more events in August, and the IRCA season finals were September 14-16.

Nelson even broke the arena record in Osceola, with the fastest time in the facility’s history.

With the IRCA victory, Nelson qualified for the Junior National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. This is a professional-level event in the sport for ages 17-and-under.

“I qualified in June at Cedar Rapids for the Junior Nationals Final Rodeo,” Nelsons said. “I placed first out of all the girls, and I was very happy. Since I didn’t make it last year, I really wanted to go again this year knowing what it was like in Vegas.

“I had my mindset on what I wanted to accomplish. We had a good time to qualify, and I can’t wait to go back to Vegas (for the second time) a month and a half (from now).”

The Nelson family — which has logged about 10,000 miles this year alone according to Morgan’s father, Dave — will all head to Las Vegas together in December.

It may be Nelson and Blueberry competing in the arena, but Morgan’s support system helps to make it all happen for the teen.

“My family is amazing,” Nelson said. “I couldn’t ask for better parents (Dave and Fonda) and brothers to cheer me on this year and in the past. Their encouraging words help me through the rough parts in making it to Vegas and getting the championship.

“I couldn’t do anything without my family. I truly thank them for that.”