Photo courtesy of the Spencer family Thomas Spencer (left), pictured here with her father Ted Spencer, was recently honored by the South West Junior Rodeo Association for her ranking in the Girls’ Junior Barrel Racing Division.
By Linda Kor Aaliyah Spencer, a 14-year-old Bird Springs girl, is the first disabled barrel racer to compete in the South West Junior Rodeo Association and has taken fifth place in the 2015 overall standings of the SWJRA Girls’ Barrel Racing Division. Aaliyah, who runs under the rodeo name Thomas Spencer, has cognitive and neurological impairment due to a vitamin deficiency, but competes against girls without impairments. She was honored for her success at the annual banquet held Feb. 27. Aaliyah, who attends school in the Holbrook Unified School District, first began riding in the competition last year. Her parents, Ted and April, are very proud of Aaliyah’s accomplishments and her commitment to the sport. They are especially grateful to her extended family, the Lowva and Kinlicheenie families, for their continuous support of her efforts.
