Steamboat Springs — South Routt teenage cowgirl Marley Hammer came up just short of her goal at last week’s National High School Finals Rodeo in Rock Springs, Wyo., but she said Monday that she had nothing to complain about.

Hammer finished 21st among 200 competitors in the pole bending competition at the Wyoming rodeo. She won among the girls in her initial round, riding her horse, Dixie, through the line of six poles in 20.4 seconds. That was tops in her section, one of six. She wasn’t as fast later in the week, however. Slowed by an arena turned sloppy by heavy thunderstorms, she finished in 21.3 seconds, placing her just outside the top 20 that advanced to the pole bending short round.

Dixie “didn’t feel comfortable turning as hard as she normally does. It felt like she shut down a little early because she didn’t want to fall,” Hammer said. “I still felt pretty good about it. I went in ranked fourth in the state, so I can’t be upset.”

She certainly didn’t have time to dwell on it. Hammer already is on to the next big rodeo. She’s competing in six events this week at the National Little Britches Finals Rodeo in Pueblo.

To reach Joel Reichenberger, call 970-871-4253 or email jreichenberger@SteamboatToday.com